Byzantine Art

This programme treats of the Christian art and architecture created in the Roman and Byzantine worlds, centred upon Rome and Ravenna in Italy and Byzantium in Greece, and also of the Franco-German Carolingian and Ottonian Empires, centred mainly upon Aachen in Germany. 

The historical background is touched upon in order to clarify the splitting of the Roman Empire in two and the consequent parting of the ways of the art of Western Europe and Byzantine art. Thus, the significance upon artistic styles of historical figures such as Justinian and Charlemagne is rendered clear. 

Architectural types are discussed by examining specific famous churches such as San Vitale and Sant’ Apollinare in Classe, both in Ravenna, Hagia Sophia in Byzantium (Istanbul), and the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. 

The paintings of the catacombs in Rome too are discussed, as are the beautiful illuminated manuscripts, such as those of the famous Gospels of Lindisfarne and of Otto III, and of course Byzantine mosaic art forms an important subject, as do the arts of the Celtic and Germanic peoples, and the sculpture of Christendom. 

Crucially, the legacy of the various strands of this artistically rich period is explained, be it in the form of the Christian art of illuminated manuscript, Byzantine art icons, St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow or St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. 

Who this course is for:

• Individual interested in Byzantine art
• Individuals interested in icon painting
• Individuals interested in religious art
• Individuals interested in Christianity
• Individuals interested in the history of art