Byzantine art: mosaics, paintings, architecture and characteristics

It is called Byzantine art that was made in the Eastern Roman Empire, having its apogee during the government of the Emperor Justinian, between 527 and 565 AD. C.

This is an art deeply related to or Christianity, which happened to be considered an official religion of the State in 311 AD. C.

Emperor Constantine was or was responsible for this transition, also being the founder of Constantinople, to the capital of the Empire.

Such a date occurred in 330 d. C. In a region where a former Grega colony was located, called Bizâncio. Daí derives the name "Byzantine art", which is disseminated from the borders of the Byzantine Empire.

Also, few years Igreja has total control over the cultural production of the society and through the art of "instructing" or promoting faith in Christ.

Byzantine mosaic

Or mosaic was a linguagem that most stands out in Byzantine art. It was achieved through a technique in which the images are formed from small pieces of stones with varied colors, arranged side by side.

Also, the fragments are fixed in a mortar and subsequently received a mixture of lime, sand and oil to preencher the spaces between them.

The mosaic was used by various peoples and cultures, but it was not the Byzantine Empire that this manifestation ating its apex.

It was applied to the walls and domes of the churches in order to represent biblical characters and passages, albeit two of their own rulers.

These works, meticulously constructed, provide an intense color within the basilicas, conveying a sumptuous aura of solemn splendor.

Byzantine painting: the feitos em têmpera icons

Byzantine painting is due in a less intense way.

Essa linguagem tem us icons uma nova way to express yourself. A word icon vem do grego and means "imagem". In this context, they constituted figures of saints, prophets, martyrs and other sacred personalities, such as Jesus, Virgin Mary and the apostles.

Possuem sumptuous features and eram feites using the da tempera. Nela, the ink was prepared with pigments based on eggs or another organic substance. Also, the cores were fixed better and the durability of the paint was higher, generating a brilliant effect.

A common characteristic of these paintings was or was used in gold color. It was also customary to apply jewels to works, or which conferred even more grandiosity for images, venerated both in churches and in particular oratories.

The icons also spread to other regions. The Russian artist Andrei Rublev, for example, helped popularize this art not beginning of the XV century, in the Novgorod region, in Russia.

Architecture: byzantine churches

Like other arts, Byzantine architecture also developed in a majestic way, expressing sacred constructions.

Previously, you trust christians to practice your devotion in humble and discreet temples, given to persecution that even sofriam.

But as the Catholic Church became powerful and an instrument of domination, you also go to worship under enormous transformations.

Therefore, they will come to be erected monumental basilicas that should prove to demonstrate all divine power allied to political power.

It is interesting to note that the thermo "basilica" was previously used to designate a "royal salão". At a given time, the Emperor Constantine determined the construction of a number of rooms with a religious purpose and also identified these large Catholic buildings as basilicas.

Apart from the churches where the altar was called a "choir". Já the main part, where you trust, was designated "nave" and as divisions laterais receberam or nome of "wings".

As first construções sofreram alterações in the last two years, in the meantime it is still possible to get a perception of how it was. An example is the Basilica of São Apolinário, in Ravenna, Italy.

Outras construções that are examples of architectural art of the são period: Igreja de Santa Sofia, in Istanbul (532 and 537) and A Basílica da Natividade, in Belém (327 and 333). That last one was set on fire for two years after its construction.

Characteristics of Byzantine art

Byzantine art is intimately related to Catholic religiosity and unfolds as a major instinct of propagating its preceitos and express the power of the ruler, which is seen as absolute authority and "sent by Deus", including powers spirits. By isso a striking characteristic is a sumptuousness.

Therefore, this type of art uses some elements to achieve its purposes, as well as Egyptian art.

Uma dessas specifications é a frontality, which determines that the figures are represented only from the front to the public, denoting a respectful behavior.

Also, the people who forget the sacred images have an attitude of veneration, the past that the personalities also transmit respect to their subjects.

So dinners also have a rigid composition. All the personagens tinham a certain place and the gestures were pre-established.

The official personalities, like the rulers, were portrayed in a sacred way, as were biblical figures. Also, many times they were placed haloes on their heads and it was common for them to eat dinner with our own Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ.

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