Mosaic and Hagia Sophia Essay

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Byzantium: Early Byzantine Art Nov. 6, 2013

• Depiction of Christ changes -Seen more of as an emperor
• Byzantium- Constantinople- Istanbul
• Theocracy- “ruled by God” -Emperors claimed chosen by God

I. Hagia Sophia:

A. “Church of holy wisdom”
B. Constantine
C. Basilica
D. Justinian re-builds church in 5 years
E. Exterior changed so many times
F. Central dome over square base
G. 180 ft. tall from floor to top of dome
H. Many openings, windows, columns
I. No support
J. Pendentives- weight of dome transferred to 4 corners (Hagia Sophia)
K. Squinches- dome on top of an octagon
L. 40 windows along base of window

M. Built with light-weight brick –“shell”
-Not as stable as Pantheon N. Originally lined with gold, colored glass light - Now decorated as Turkish mosque O. Columns between 4 supportive corners P. 2 storied, light and airy Q. Congregation held in back of church R. Center area for emperor and priest only S. Most people never went to alter

II. San Vitale:

A. Ravenna, Italy
B. Byzantine style church
C. Central focus in middle, octagonal
D. Saints family of martyrs killed on church site
E. Brick exterior
F. 2nd story gallery
G. Marble, colored stone
H. Apse- steps up into it- focus of worship
I. Central space forms a flower shape
J. Dome of alter:
- Christ between two Angels, St. Vitalis and Bishop Ecclesius:
- Oculus window represents the heavens
- Glass mosaic
- Green garden, gold sky (heaven)
- Christ in center, seated on “globe of heaven”
- 4 “rivers of life” at feet
- Scroll with 7 seals
- Delivering crown of martyr
- St. Vitales on left - Shields hands –court etiquette
- Angel in between introducing the two
- Bishop who built church on left - Hands covered - Holding model of church - Offering to Christ
- Mosaic on left of alter
- Justinian and Attendants: - Maximus- bishop - Banker, general, army - “Church, state and military”
- Halo on head, purple, pinned, cloak
- Holding gold bowl (for bread for service)
- No sense of standing- feet dangle - Theodora and Attendants: - Surrounded by attendants - Not allowed to enter alter as women - Background shows they are not in the central church - Halo, crown of pearls, jewels, wearing purple on Theodora - Three wise men embroidered on cloak - Holding golden challis K. Justinian and Theodora never actually came to this church L. Image of emperor regarded as if it were the emperor himself - People bow, etc. - Affirms their power, ones loyalty - Intermediaries between one and God M. People often resented Theodora’s power because she’s a woman - Theodora came from humble beginnings - Bear keeper father, actress mother, sister and self - Law passed so she could marry Justinian - Thought of as possible the brains behind the throne

Nov. 8, 2013
• Icon- portrait of Christ/ saint - Hung in churches
- Hung on panels, moveable
- More important
• St. Catherine’s Monastery - Sacred site, remote, site of burning bush - Justinian - Huge collection of icons

III. Christ Pantocrator:

A. 6th century
B. 34”
C. Portrait of Christ
D. Shoulders cut off by edges of panel
E. Background stars (not important)
F. Purple robe, huge, gem-covered bible
G. Hand in gesture of blessing
H. Encaustic painting- hot wax
I. Fairly realistic, though exaggerated, big, eyes

IV. Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between St. Theodore and St. George:

A. 6th-7th centuries
B. 27”
C. Virgin Mary with Christ on lap
D. Encaustic, tempera mix
E. St. Theodora, George on either side, soldiers
F. Mary and child appear to look off to left
G. Saints look forward
H. Saints dressed as imperial guards
I. Virgin Mary- “Theo Tokos”- “God Bearer”
J. Appears to stand in front of niche
K. Hand of God pointing toward them and
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