Byzantine Art. 2nd ESO

mosaico realizado por los alumnos de 2º de ESO, curso 2016-17

St Vitale, Ravenna
Byzantine Art Vocabulary

The Byzantine Empire lasted from the 4thcenturyuntil 1453,It was Centered in Constantinople (in modern day Turkey),

Byzantine artists focused less on making their artlook realistic and more on symbolism.The subjects of Byzantine art were usually religiousor imperial (paintings or mosaics of the Emperor and his family).

Mosaics – pictures or other decoration made from small pieces of glass, stone or other materials. Often used to decorate the interior of churches and monasteriesduring the Byzantine Empire..

Icons - an image of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a Saint, used in churches and private homes alike. Icons were meant to be more religious and spiritual rather than to be used as simple decoration.

Manuscript Illumination – decoration on the pages of hand copied books. The most commonly illustrated texts were religious, both scripture itself (particularlythe Psalms) and devotional or theological texts. Non-religious texts were also illuminated.