Byzantine
The Byzantine Empire lasted from 330-1453 A.D. The new and first emperor of the Byzantine empire, Constantine, declared that "new Rome" would lie on the site of the old Greek colony of Byzantium. The capital, Constantinople, was named after Constantine. The Greek civilization still has some influence, for example the name Constantinopolis is part Greek in "polis". The Romans still inhabit the "new Rome", and Rome slowly becomes the seat of the Christian pope. Art was extremely popular during the time when the Byzantine empire was dominant. The art featured painted icons and mosaics and frescoes in churches. The art style grew from pictures of saints, repetitive designs and decoration, and Bible stories. The Byzantine empire finally fell in 1453 to the Ottoman Turks and became Istanbul.
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” - Degas
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” - Degas
As soon as Christianity became the official religion of Rome, religious subjects became the prominent focus in art. In this mosaic, the blue represents the sky or heaven. The brown robes symbolize spiritual death. The yellow represents light and purity, and the green fertility, victory over life, and hope. The white of the sheep represents purity and untaintedness. Besides color there are many other symbols in the mosaic.
Christ the Good Shepherd, 425 AD
Mosaic
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
Christ the Good Shepherd, 425 AD
Mosaic
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
In this painting the two figures, Madonna and child are posed in a loving embrace, facing slightly towards the viewer.
The figures are elongated, with long narrow faces. Their emotions are proper, serious, and motionless. The facial expressions are lifeless and stoic. This piece of art is flat and has no perspective. Also, the robes of the Madonna are blue, like one will see during the Renaissance period. The background is just plain gold, with imprints of designs and words from holy books. The child, in addition to the peachy cloth, wears a white under garment. This symbolizes purity and innocence.
The Cambrai Madonna (Notre-Dame de Grace), circa 1340
Cathedrale de Cambrai, France
The figures are elongated, with long narrow faces. Their emotions are proper, serious, and motionless. The facial expressions are lifeless and stoic. This piece of art is flat and has no perspective. Also, the robes of the Madonna are blue, like one will see during the Renaissance period. The background is just plain gold, with imprints of designs and words from holy books. The child, in addition to the peachy cloth, wears a white under garment. This symbolizes purity and innocence.
The Cambrai Madonna (Notre-Dame de Grace), circa 1340
Cathedrale de Cambrai, France