ByzantineEmpires.org
History of Byzantine Eastern Roman Empire for Kids

Byzantine Empire History  
     
 
         
 
Home Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Timeline
Byzantine Empire Decline
12 Byzantine Rulers
Traditions and Customs
Byzantine Contributions
Double Headed Eagle
Byzantine Emperors
Empire Army
Byzantine Artifacts
Empire Artists
Buildings Architecture
Byzantine Calendar
Empire Capital
Byzantine Cavalry
Byzantine Christianity
Byzantine Coinage
Daily Life of People
Divine Liturgy
Byzantine Dynasties
Byzantine Economy
Geography
Gold Coins
Historians
Empire Hymns
Byzantine Iconoclasm
Empire Icons
Ivory Artifacts
Jerusalem
Byzantine Jewellery
Justinian Emperor
Byzantine Language
Empire Laws
Empire Lyrics
Monastery
Mosaics
Empire Names
Empire Navy
Paintings
Empire People
Prayers
Sources Of Information
Princess
Provincial Governors
Empire Quotes
Empire Rings
Rite Catholic
Sculptures
Empire Ships
Social Structure
Symbol
Technology
Empire Trade
Empire Wars
Privacy Policy
 

Byzantine Empire Paintings

Byzantine art grew from the art of Ancient Greece, and never lost sight of its classical heritage, but was distinguished from it in a number of ways. The artwork of the period focuses mainly on religious subjects that were portrayed conservatively and with little room for artists’ personal expression. Domed churches and decorative mosaics were characteristics of Byzantine architecture. The most profound of these was that the humanist ethic of Ancient Greek art was replaced by a Christian ethic. If the purpose of classical art was the glorification of man, the purpose of Byzantine art was the glorification of God, and of His Son, Jesus.

In its early period Byzantine painting was strictly realistic. The mosaics, e.g., on either side of the choir of S. Vitale at Ravenna, show the Court of Justinian and Theodora sickly, dissolute figures—the men, coarse; the women, bleached and bedizened, overladen with jewels and dressed in the extreme of luxury unforgettable personifications of a corrupt and dazzling life.

Byzantine paintings are identified by their rich colors and flat, large-eyed figures. Backgrounds were typically painted gold. The intention of Byzantine artists was to teach the viewer religious lessons, therefore the images were clear and easily understood. Byzantine paintings are characterized by a rich use of color and figures which seem flat and stiff.

The figures also tend to appear to be floating, and to have large eyes. Backgrounds tend to be solidly golden or toned. Intended as religious lessons, they were presented clearly and simply in order to be easily learned. Early Byzantine art is often called "Early Christian art."

Some of the most splendid examples of Byzantine painting are preserved in Macedonia. The role of Thessalonike was paramount while the monasteries of Mount Athos are a veritable ark of Byzantine art.

Artists were much respected in Byzantine culture, although most paintings are left anonymous until the thirteenth century. Artists were not specialized in only one particular technique, they dabbled with different forms; a mosaicist, for instance, could also paint on fresh plaster, creating frescoes.

Skills were passed on from a father to a son or a daughter, as were the equipments, possibly including drawings. Parents also placed their children as apprentices with masters. Sometimes painters who created small-scale objects worked either at home or in small clusters. When Byzantine artists worked abroad, they usually traveled in groups.

By the edict of 313 Christianity was recognized as the official religion of the Empire. The Church left its hiding places and breathed freely, and the period of the basilicas began. A profound transformation of religious painting was the result of this triumph. The time had come to display the insignia of Christ's victory with the same material splendor which the State attached to the imperial majesty of Caesar.

The Good Shepherd of the Catacombs and the pastoral scenes gradually disappeared; the last traces of them are found in the rotunda of St. Constantia and in the mausoleum of Galla Placidia at Ravenna (c. 450). In the magnificant mosaic of S. Pudenziana at Rome (before 410) the Cross, which stands in mid-heaven above a Senate of Apostles wearing the laticlave, is already a symbol of triumph.



This site gives you complete information on the Byzantine Empire.

Ottoman & Byzantine Compare Byzantine Vs Roman Catholics Empire Rule
Ancient Byzantine Saints Arab Wars Architecture
Bureaucracy Empire Art Churches
Painters Empire Walls Vestments
Seminary Diplomacy Decoration
Crosses Basilica and Cathedrals Government
Necklace Jewelry Notation Swords
Emperor Leo iii Emperor Heraclius Rule Constantinople History

   
  Contact: ace_offers at yahoo.co.uk :