Byzantine and Early Medieval Art

The artists of the Byzantine and early Medieval period focused less on natural or realistic properties in their art and more on the stylization of their subject and the piece as a whole. This was done to evoke specific emotions and feelings in the viewer. Two pieces from this period that demonstrate this quite well are the Crucifixion (Stokstad 250) and the Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels (Stokstad 245).

The Crucifixion is an eleventh century mosaic from the Church of the Dormition of Daphni, Greece. This work demonstrates the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as Mary and the apostle John mourn below him. The background appears to be of gold which creates the illusion of another world, or some empty space. However, the flowers at the foot of the cross may represent life or keep the viewer grounded in the material world. Mary and John’s movements almost seem restrained with the way that they are posed. Perhaps this was done to impose feelings in the viewer to strengthen their means of worship and prayer. Also, the top of the mosaic has been worn away, but perhaps angels were above the cross praying for him, which could imply the power and importance of prayer as well. Something I noticed immediately that is very unrealistic was the blood and water spewing out of Christ’s right side as if it was a fountain. It seems like the Virgin Mary is reaching out to catch his holy blood. This reminds me of communion in a Christian church, when one takes the blood and body of Christ in worship to thank him for his sacrifice. This could also attribute to baptismal rites. Another subject that is heavily stylized is the skull laying in the foreground; the nose is shaped as a sharp triangle and it shows only three teeth. This skull is said to symbolize Golgotha, which is where the crucifixion supposedly happened outside of ancient Jerusalem. The blood dripping down from Jesus’ feet onto the skull demonstrate the belief that he was the new Adam, and that his sacrifice saved all of the people from the corruption and sins of Adam and Eve. For example, in I Corinthians 15:22, Paul wrote, “For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life”. The purpose of this mosaic was to help devout Christians establish an emotional and intellectual connection with the divine power through worship and meditaiton.

    

Christians in the early Byzantine period used painted panels of Mary, Christ and the Saints to aid them in prayer during worshiping services. These were known as icons. The Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels is an icon from the second half of the sixth century. Mary, who was also known as Theotokos, which is Greek for “the bearer of God”, is centered and surrounded by two saints and two angels. She was known as a forgiving and powerful mother, also referring her to the Seat of Wisdom. Mary is holding Jesus in her lap as she sits on a golden throne. Other depictions such as this one perhaps imply that she is the Throne of Solomon. There are two angels behind Mary and Jesus looking upward toward the Heavens; neither four of them are looking straight forward. The two saints, on the other hand, are gazing right at the viewer. These men, known as George (right) and Theodore (left), were brave and courageous saints who exemplify the happiness of the Church instead of paganism. These two saints appear to be the only stylized aspects of the painting. Their garments completely hide the human form underneath them. There is no sense of depth or dimensionality achieved and they are completely motionless. Perhaps their intense stares and crosses at hand are meant to intimidate the viewer into staying faithful to God. Their stiff and long posture gives off a sense of security while their peering eyes and blank faces demand conditional respect and devotion to God.