Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art and Architecture Commons^™

"The Christ Chosen Emperor": Representation Of Emperors As Divine Figures In Byzantine Art, Aly Hutchinson

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

The concept of power has been evident throughout Byzantine culture, whether in its aristocratic and bureaucratic politics, textiles, architecture, or minted coinage. Consequently, the arts were frequently utilized to represent imperial and religious power with various renderings of symbols, colors, and icons. In addition, images portrayed significant visual and spiritual value as the viewers looked to them for knowledge, guidance, and prayer. The ruling emperors were held in high regard, and imperial families were dominant over Byzantine society. The emperor was created in God's image, given the responsibility to rule on earth and carry out the ten commandments. This essay …

Byzantine Textiles: Embroidery, Delphine Dah

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

The textile that I will be discussing is the Embroidered Medallion found in the fifteenth to the sixteenth century Byzantine Empire. This rare example of Byzantine embroidery consists of two medallions, one depicting the eagle of Saint John, the other the angel of Saint Matthew, two of the four evangelists. The original piece is paired with the other medallion, which shows the symbol for Mark and Luke. Since their scale is so small it suggests that they are meant to be attached to an epitrachelion, a stole worn by priests and bishops as a symbol of their priest hood.

The Face Of Power: A Chronological Comparison Of Byzantine Coinage, Emma Duffin

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

Coinage was an effective tool for representing imperial power in the Byzantine Empire. This short essay focuses on the evolution of power representation in coinage and argues that Byzantine emperors displayed power by employing classical Roman elements in their coinage. This argument is communicated through a chronological comparison of five coins ranging in date from 288 to 1425 C.E. These coins are a small example of the transition from imperial iconography to Christian iconography in which we see how classical forms are preserved even among a drastic change in style and narrative.

The Vienna Genesis And The Evolution Of Christian Book Illumination, Samantha Castro

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

In this essay, I argue that the Vienna Genesis influenced future Christian manuscripts by pushing the idea that higher status and holiness were linked. The Vienna Genesis' expensive creation and classically-influenced illustrations, which were seen by some as conspicuous, would be imitated by the Paris Psalter, only differentiating in the subject matter. The Melisende Psalter would take a turn in its style, mimicking Byzantine icons rather than classical works, but it continued the high-cost production and ruler-appealing narrative of King David. And unlike the other two, the Melisende Psalter cements the initial bias, with signs hinting at possible royal/imperial ownership.

Utility, Liturgy, And Luxury, Olivia Brock

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

The material legacy of medieval Byzantium is one of intricate luxury objects made of precious materials. As was evident in many cultures and periods, including the Byzantine, high-quality luxury materials were used to promote the status of individuals and institutions. The Attarouthi Treasure out of the Church of St. Stephen in Syria presents an excellent case study of luxury liturgical objects used to promote the social status of the church, as well as imbed the church in a series of complex social networks that both enhanced and retracted from the church’s social role. These objects were also physically dynamic as …

Case Study Of Byzantium, Shelby Johnson

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

The Byzantine Empire (395-1453 CE) was a large cultural center that included a meshing of different societies in terms of trade. Located along the Mediterranean Sea, the empire had a monopoly of sea trade, leading to their multiple years of success under many different ruling emperors. Many different countries brought with them pieces of their culture and textile materials to the Byzantine Empire.

Around 500 A.D. China was known for their silk making textiles, holding the secret of their creation for many years until a group of traveling monks in Europe were able to smuggle out silkworm eggs from China, …

The Constantine And Zoe Mosaic, Lilly Jones

BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition

In this case study I will go over the history behind the Constantine and Zoe mosaic in the Hagia Sophia, why it was hidden for so long, and the multiple theories behind its alterations. I will also cover the history of Zoe and her many husbands and why altering the mosaic would have been necessary to show history and they wanted it to be remembered. There is not the same record of events in Byzantium like we have today, history was written by the powerful and important to write to narrative they wanted. Because of the clues left behind we …