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Module 7
Roman, Christian, Byzantine and Islamic Art
Roman, Christian, Byzantine and Islamic Art
Welcome to Rome.....Regarding Mimesis and Idealism... the Greeks "did" the mimesis thing..(copying) But they also idealized hugely right? Who has pecs and abs like that? ;)
The Romans certainly copied like maniacs, especially from the Greeks, but they were not as idealistic in their interpretations. They were much more naturalistic. Part of the reason for that is that the Romans made Death Masks.
Ancient Roman families would display portraits of-imagines maiorum- (images of ancestors) in their homes, so that their memory would not be forgotten. Because they made these out of wax molds, they were very lifelike (forgive the pun!) and they started seeing the wrinkles, warts, and imperfections of "real" people, hence the end of strictly idealized portraits.
Here is one.
The ancient Romans learned the arch from the Etruscans, refined it and were the first builders in Europe to tap its full potential for above ground buildings: The Romans were the first builders in Europe, perhaps the first in the world, to fully appreciate the advantages of the arch, the vault and the dome.
A Brief Road Through Rome
The Colsseum and the importance of concrete.
The Romans didn't invent the arch - it was known but not much used in Greek architecture - but they were the first to master the use of multiple arches, or vaults. From this, they invented the Roman groin vault - two barrel vaults set at right-angles - which represented a revolutionary improvement on the old Greek post-and-lintel method, as it enabled architects to support far heavier loads and to span much wider openings.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Actium (31 BC), Marcus Agrippa (a Roman consul, statesman, general and architect,) built and dedicated the original Pantheon in Rome, Italy, as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, it was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD.
Roman culture, society and art are heavily based on the Greek precedent, but unlike the idealistic, ‘head in the clouds’ Greeks (as they were perceived), the Romans were a more practical down to earth people who focused on conquest, governance, bureaucracy, engineering, road building and law. This gave a more realistic flavor to much of the art, as is evident in Roman portraiture. Artistically, their greatest developments were in architecture and engineering – they developed concrete and the widespread use of the arch, which allowed them to build structures with unprecedented strength and efficiency, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon. (above, not to be mistaken with the Parthenon in Greece)
The word Pantheon means "all Gods”. In fact the pantheon was first built as a temple to all gods.
In the year 609 The Pantheon was the first pagan temple to be transformed into a church and therefore it was saved from being destroyed during the middle Ages. Today it is a church dedicated to St. Mary of the Martyrs. None the less it is called the Pantheon by virtually everybody and it seems to exist independent of religious rule but more of a tribute to the past.
The most fascinating part of the Pantheon is its giant dome, with its famous hole in the top (The eye of the Pantheon, or oculus). The dome was the largest in the world for 1300 years and until today it remains the largest unsupported dome in the world! The diameter of the dome is 43.30 meters or 142ft (for comparison, the United States Capitol dome is 96 feet in diameter) and is in perfect proportion with the Pantheon by the fact that the distance from the floor to the top of the dome is exactly equal to its diameter.
Believe it or not ALL of the statues (Greek and Roman) that you have seen, were all originally painted!! Hard to believe, but true!
Like the Romans themselves, early Roman art (c.510 BCE to 27 BCE) tended to be realistic and direct. Portraits, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, were typically detailed and unidealized, although later during the age of Hellenistic-Roman art (c.27 BCE - 200 CE), the Romans became aware of the propaganda value of busts and statuary, and sought to convey political messages through poses and accessories.
For reference to size..here's a picture of me inside :) I had seen photos of this building hundreds of times, but it was overwhelmingly the most amazing structure I have ever seen.
And the roof!
Eventually the Roman/Pagan era fell into decline, as the Church, long suppressed under the Romans, became the dominant force all across Europe.
Early Christian Art, and Byzantine Art 500-1000 AD
Early Christian Art, and Byzantine Art 500-1000 AD
With the decline of the Roman Empire (spread too far and wide and the empire was split and lots of invasions from the north) we see the rise of a new force in European history and culture: the Catholic Church. When the Roman Emperor Constantine, converted to Christianity, Rome had conquered most of the known world.
Christian art had its roots in ancient Rome. The first images of Christ depicted him as a beardless youthful Roman, toga and all, and as a teacher. The images of a bearded Christ on the cross came several centuries later. The period of early Christian art began about the year 100 and lasted until the Byzantine style, or roughly the year 500. Christian artists also produced mosaics, illuminated texts, and sculpture—artistic forms that were popular in the pagan world. Yet, early Christian artists also developed their own motifs.
Watch this: about the Catacombs of Priscilla, Rome
Hagia Sophia pronounced "Hiya SoFeeYa"
Christ Pantocrator 1261
The most famous of the surviving Byzantine mosaics of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople/Istanbul Turkey – the image of Christ Pantocrator (Ruler of All) is inside.
From the beginning, the Church was confronted with the problems of ‘image making’ – on the one hand you had the Bible’s prohibition against image making, on the other you had a vast population, almost entirely illiterate, who needed to be educated in the Bible. The narrative power of images appeared to be the obvious answer. These tensions within the Church gave rise to what has become known as the Iconoclastic Controversy.
One of the solutions to the problem of images was to develop a highly stylized art that emphasized the flat, two –dimensional aspect of imagery, Byzantine Art. This approach attempted to depict a divine world rather than a natural world.
Understanding the Iconoclastic Controversy
After several centuries of bitter fighting, death and even torture, the Church decided to break one of the commandments and sanction the creation of images. This decision, and the effect it had on the course of Western art and culture cannot be underestimated. If, like the other monotheistic religions based on the Old Testament (Islam and Judaism), the Christian church had decided to ban images, then the world we find today would look and feel very different – probably much closer to the Middle East. This was not just a religious decision, but also one that would have affected the very development of science and technology. The development of realistic drawing had a profound effect on the ability to communicate advances in mechanics, engineering and technology.
Here's a taste of the devotional music of the time.
Byzantine mosaics with close ups of the Tesserae, the tiny pieces that make up the mosaic.
The Byzantine Era: Heavenly mosaics; Islamic architecture and amazing maze-like design, Beginning of manuscript Illumination
And what about this gorgeous "gem"! The elaborately carved cameo depicts the enthroned Virgin and Christ Child flanked by archangels, a subject often depicted in the apse of Orthodox churches. On the reverse of the gold case is an image of Christ Pantokrator, which would have been found in the dome of a church. The frame is typical of the Rus’, peoples of the north who had been converted by the Orthodox Christian clergy of Constantinople and who thus prized Byzantine works.
And what about this gorgeous "gem"!
Pendant Brooch with Cameo of Enthroned Virgin and Child and Christ Pantokrator :late 1000s–1100s (cameo); 1100s–1300s (mount)Chalcedony cameo; gold mount with pearls, emeralds, garnets, sapphires, and a sardonyx intaglio
This elaborately carved cameo depicts the enthroned Virgin and Christ Child flanked by archangels, a subject often depicted in the apse of Orthodox churches. On the reverse of the gold case is an image of Christ Pantokrator, which would have been found in the dome of a church. The frame is typical of the Rus’, peoples of the north who had been converted by the Orthodox Christian clergy of Constantinople and who thus prized Byzantine works.
Islamic Art
Islamic Art
Islamic art encompasses the visual arts produced from the seventh century onward by both Muslims and non-Muslims who lived within the territory that was inhabited by, or ruled by, culturally Islamic populations. It is thus a very difficult art to define because it spans some 1400 years, covering many lands and populations. This art is also not of a specific religion, time, place, or single medium. Instead Islamic art covers a range of artistic fields including architecture, calligraphy, painting, glass, ceramics, and textiles, among others.
Islamic art was influenced by Greek, Roman, early Christian, and Byzantine art styles, as well as the Sassanian art of pre-Islamic Persia. Central Asian styles were brought in with various nomadic incursions; and Chinese influences had a formative effect on Islamic painting, pottery, and textiles.
There are repeating elements in Islamic art, such as the use of stylized , geometrical floral or vegetal designs in a repetition known as the arabesque . The arabesque in Islamic art is often used to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible and infinite nature of God. Some scholars believe that mistakes in repetitions may be intentionally introduced as a show of humility by artists who believe only God can produce perfection.
Arabesque inlays at the Mughal Agra Fort, India: Geometrical designs in repetition, know as Arabesque, are used in Islamic art to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible, and infinite nature of God.
Dome of the mihrab (9th century) in the Great Mosque of Kairouan, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, in Kairouan, Tunisia: This is considered to be the ancestor of all the mosques in the western Islamic world.
Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles. The principal Islamic architectural example is the mosque. A specifically recognizable Islamic architectural style emerged soon after Muhammad’s time that incorporated Roman building traditions with the addition of localized adaptations of the former Sassanid and Byzantine models.
Early Mosques
Early Mosques
The Islamic mosque has historically been both a place of prayer and a community meeting space. The early mosques are believed to be inspired by Muhammad’s home in Medina, which was the first mosque.
Islamic Calligraphy
Islamic Calligraphy
Calligraphic design was omnipresent in Islamic art in the Middle Ages, and is seen in all types of art including architecture and the decorative arts.
Kufic script: The earliest form of Arabic calligraphy, noted for its angular form.
calligraphy: The art of writing letters and words with decorative strokes.
9th century Quran: This early Quran demonstrates the Kufic script, noted for its angular form and as the earliest form of Arabic calligraphy .
attributed to the 13th century poet Rumi
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