To be a Christian before Emperor Constantine’s proclamation of religious tolerance, one had to endure persecution.
During the Period of Persecution, Christians worshiped in secret, using private homes as well as chapels in catacombs.
The Romans saw the Christians as mad cult members and barbaric subversives who refused to acknowledge the emperor as a god.
That situation changed when Constantine declared in the Edict of Milan that Christianity would be tolerated.
Later, he proclaimed Christianity to be the religion of the Roman Empire.
The term Byzantine is linked to Constantine’s capital at ancient Byzantium (Constantinople), today’s Istanbul. The Byzantine style flourished in other places as well: Ravenna, Venice, Sicily, Greece, Russia and other Eastern countries.
The capital of the western empire was moved to Ravenna because Rome seemed a likely target for attach. After several years of instability, Justinian’s eventual rule brings stability and allows the arts to begin flourishing.
San Vitale is one of the most elaborately decorated buildings in the Byzantine style. Compared to what we will see on the inside, the exterior looks pretty basic.
This is a diagram of the plan of the church. Compared to the longitudinal plan, this central plan is very different. You can see that body of the church is an octagon. The narthex is slightly askew. The church is capped by a octagonal dome. In general the central plan is much more organic and flowing. The Byzantine style also makes it much more decoratively handled on the interior.
The interior of the church, columns / capitals, borders etc., are all covered with mosaic borders of repetitive abstract patterns.
The most striking features of Hagia Sophia are its overall dimensions and the size of the dome. Floor plan 240’x270’. Dome 108’across and 180’ rise. Notice the pendentives at the corners that transfer the weight of the dome to the base of the corners of the square beneath.
Interior view. The interior wall surfaces are decorated lavishly with marble inlay and mosaic. Windows at the base of the dome give the dome a hovering impression.
In the Greek-Cross plan, the long naïve of the Latin cross is eliminated. The “arms” are equal in length.
Some people view the Middle Ages as the Dark Ages-a time when the light of Classicism was temporarily extinguished.
This attitude changed somewhat when scholars became aware of many contributions.
Manuscript illumination is illustration or decoration of books and letters with pictures or designs.
You can see that this is a very intricate design created by multicolored scrolls. Surrounding the cross is a repetitive linear pattern representing snakes consuming themselves.
Shows the barbarian fascination with patterning, fantastic human and animal forms; illumination
Carolingian Period mards the period of Charlemagne’s supremacy.
When Charlemagne established his court at Aachen he imported the most significan intellectuals and artists of Europe and the Eastern countries. He also tried to unify the warring factions of Europe through Christianity.
Red Star = crossing square
Blue Star = apse
Square Schematism- the crossing square determines the dimensions of the entire structure.
Adam and Eve are clearly being reproached by the lord. God (seen here as a man), points to Adam. Adam deflects to Eve. Eve gestures to the serpent (Satan). Notice the figures are not classical. God is portrayed as the accuser, a merciless judge.
Monasticism- the way of life characteristic of monks or nuns; monastery life. Monasteries served as the only places to get a decent education and provided a guarantee for eternal life.
Crusades- holy wars waged in efforts to recover the Holy land from Muslims.
Pilgrimages- lengthy journeys to visit and worship at sacred shrines and tombs of saints
These activities were thought to bring favor to a person on Judgment day. Pilgrimage interest caused an increased focus on church construction during the Romanesque period.
Examples of this style are: St. Sernin and St. Etienne
Red stars = radiating chapels added to the ambulatory of apse
Blue stars = more chapels added to the ambulatory of transcept arm.
Ceiling vault is a major contribution at St. Etienne. Also is uses rib vaults which are ribs of stone springing from columns and compound piers. This is hard to illustrate because it is on the interior. Many of these cathedrals are so dark inside that it is difficult to take photographs.
The tympanum is a semicircular space above the doors of the cathedral. This is like the billboard area of the church, because it is so prominent, it’s message can’t be missed by those entering.
Here we see Christ at the Last Judgment. It serves as a warning that earthly behavior will be judged harshly. Jesus is the large central figure, making selections. Figures are angels and apostles. Souls are being weighed on a scale by an angel and a devil.
The relationship between Romanesque sculpture and manuscript illumination can be seen in a page from the Lectionary of Henry II. Here we have a large angel, Gabriel (large because of the use of hierarchical scale) making an announcement to these shepherds of the birth of baby Jesus. We see that the proportions of the figures are awkward: long limbs join torsos at odd angles, small heads etc. The drapery is also unnatural. In general they remind us of marionette puppets. As the Romanesque period ends will see more naturalism returning however.
This is only a small portion of a huge 230 foot long tapestry that ran clockwise around the entire nave of Cathedral of Bayeux. It is a continuous narrative describing the invasion of England by William the Conqueror. We still see that the emotional meaning outweighs the pursuit of naturalism.
The term Gothic originated among historians who believed that the Goths were responsible for the style of this period.
Gothic was used in a disparaging sense because critics considered the Goths as “barbarians”
Red star = rib vaulting- thin stone ribs form what is like a structural skeleton the lightens the weight of the vault
Blue star = notice these Gothic arches come to a point, while the Romanesque examples we saw before were patterned after the rounded Roman arch.
Yellow star = thinner, walls from better construction mean more openings for stained glass, which means more interior light.
In general the exterior of the Gothic cathedral is more organic and ornate when compared to the Romanesque style. They can almost appear lacy.
Red arrow = flying buttress. These help support the tall exterior walls without obstructing light entering the multitudes of stained glass windows.
Blue arrow = rose window
Red arrows = pointed spires on bell towers
Blue arrows = flying buttresses