Byzantine Art and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide
Byzantine Art
The city of Byzantium, located in Asia, became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 4th century AD under Emperor Constantine the Great and was renamed Constantinople. The Byzantine Empire flourished through the Middle Ages until the 15th century when Constantinople was conquered by the Turks.
The period of greatest glory for Byzantine art and culture was during the reign of Justinian, known as the First Golden Age of Byzantine art. Byzantine civilization blended elements from Roman tradition, Greek language and civilization, and Christian beliefs and customs.
The iconoclastic movement in the 7th century had a significant impact on Byzantine art, leading to the decline of figurative art.
Byzantine culture and art were influenced by oriental influences, resulting in a wealth of polychrome decoration in their works. Byzantine art and culture were Christian, but the separation of the church led to the development of its own characteristics, resulting in the Orthodox religion.
Byzantine Architecture
Materials and Techniques
Byzantine architecture utilized brick and stone, which were often adorned with mosaics and paintings in the interiors.
The architecture featured vaulted ceilings, arches, and columns as load-bearing elements. The use of the dome on pendentives achieved technical perfection, resolving issues of restraint and support through buttresses, thick walls, or domes.
Architectural Elements
The arch was a common feature in Byzantine architecture.
Columns often employed classical orders, particularly the Corinthian order. Plant decoration was stylized, with geometric patterns and a loss of volume.
The Romans developed a cubic capital known as the capitelllamado, featuring a tapered body covered with plant motifs and a highly schematized cyma depirámide.
Types of Buildings
The most common type of Byzantine building was the church. Different types of church plans existed:
- Basilica: A longitudinal plan with three to five naves, with the central nave taller and wider than the aisles. Columns separated by arches supported the roof. The apse, a semicircular projection at the end of the nave, was covered by a quarter sphere vault and separated from the nave by the iconostasis.
- Greek Cross: A cross-shaped plan with four equal arms. The central space was often covered by a dome.
- Central Plan: A circular or polygonal shape with equal sides and a dome in the center.
Interior and Exterior Design
Byzantine architecture emphasized elaborate interior spaces. Exteriors were often plain, while interiors were airy, luxurious, and visually impressive.
Mosaics and frescoes adorned the interiors, often depicting religious scenes and decorative patterns. Sculpted decoration was antinaturalistic, creating chiaroscuro effects with low volume.
Examples of Byzantine Architecture
Hagia Sophia (6th Century)
One of the most iconic Byzantine architectural masterpieces, Hagia Sophia was built by Justinian and designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus. It features a unique combination of basilica and centralized structures, with a large central dome supported by pendentives.
The interior is adorned with mosaics, marble, and copper, creating a sense of unity and grandeur. The dome appears to float in the air due to the use of windows that allow light to enter.
San Marco of Venice
Dedicated to Saint Mark, San Marco features a Greek cross plan with a central dome and four smaller domes over each arm. The exterior is richly decorated with figurative mosaics on gold backgrounds.
The interior is typically Byzantine, with domes, arches, paintings, mosaics, and gold backgrounds.