Middle

Byzantin
e Art and
Architect
ure
Marshay Lewis
Art History
7/1/13

The Middle Byzantine era of art was one of sheer controversy in its
beginning stages. It was a slow transition from the iconoclastic early
Byzantium era to that of the use of icons within art and architecture. Art
flourished during this period due to the rising wealth and economic standing
of the current empire as well as the existing and flourishing religions of the
time. An intensified revival of interest in classical art forms and ancient
literature reflected Byzantium's continuous and active engagement with its
ancient past throughout the empire's long history [Reference 2].
Middle Byzantine architecture was very distinct in terms of its
structure. More specifically, its churches and monasteries held to a general
domed, centrally planned design, with a "cross-in-square plan". The design
also became very centralized and problems in structure were corrected by
adding in a cross domed system and creating churches smaller in size. All of
these changes provided a sense of private devotion and changed the way
worship was oriented.
A prime example of this is the world renowned Hagia Sophia. Some of
the finest works of the Byzantium era can still be found within the walls of
the Hagia Sophia. For instance the Deesis mosaic is the most important
mosaic work of the Byzantium era [Reference 3 ]. It features a depiction of
Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist and took many years to uncover after being
plastered over during Mosque conversion. This is a sad example of how so
many of the greatest byzantine works were lost over the decades. However

the building still stands after enduring a horrible earthquake and is in and of
itself a work of art. The Hagia Sophia revolutionized church architecture and
many of the churches we see from this time period were based off this
monumental building.
Moving on, the details of the construction and structural aspects are
far from simple. As stated earlier many structural corrections were made
throughout the transition. When transitioning from early to middle Byzantium
there were different styled plans which formed the church architecture. The
first was the basilican or axial type. It consisted of long rectangular hall with
a nave and apse and then later on developed a transept. This created a cross
shaped plan. The second was the architecture known as a central dome plan.
This type was nearly always vaulted, for a central dome would seem to
furnish their very raison d'etre or reason for existence. The central space was
sometimes surrounded by a very thick wall, in which deep recesses, to the
interior, was formed, or by a vaulted aisle or annexes was thrown out from
the central space in such a way as to form a cross, in which these additions
helped to counterpoise the central vault [Reference 4]. Lastly, there was a
very unique plan that combined the two plans as seen in the building of the
Hagia Sophia. It consists of a system of domical surfaces not only in the apse
but thought the cross plan. It also it includes a larger centralized dome with
hemicycles added for structural support [Reference]. It is considered one of
the most remarkable plans ever contrived.

Architecture is only a small part of the art works found during the
Byzantium era. What truly stood out the most during this time were the
stand alone pieces. Much of byzantine art was influenced by the roman and
Grecian empires. However the major difference which set the two apart were
that unlike the romans or the Greek the Byzantium strayed away from
classical aesthetics (though there are still some naturalistic statues from this
time) and developed a more abstract style. The subject matter held to
primarily religious and imperial tones. This being due to the pious and
autocratic nature of Byzantine society, and is also partly a result of its
economic structure. The wealth of the empire was concentrated in the hands
of the church and the imperial office, which therefore had the greatest
opportunity to undertake monumental artistic commissions [Reference 7].
This however is more of a known fact than a seen practice due which is odd
considering the revival of art that took place during the middle Byzantium
era. This is explained by the fact that Iconoclasm was responsible for the
destruction of most of the middle byzantine art. There is also an ongoing
discrepancy between Early Christian Art and Byzantium art because both are
very similar in style, medium, and origin. These problems have slowed the
process of uncovering the great works of art but are far from stopping them.
During the Middle Byzantium era the creation of mosaics, the art of
creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone,
or other materials, were the dominant art form until the 14th century
[Reference 10]. These pieces were usually found studding the interior and

exterior church walls as well as private homes. However, certain pieces were
usually placed in different areas of the church depending on the theme. For
example, the main dome was reserved for the representation of the
Pantocrator, or Christ as the ruler of the universe, whereas other sacred
personages occupied lower spaces in descending order of importance. The
main apse was reserved for the representation of the Theotokos, or Virgin
Mary. The side apses were occupied by either Archangels or Saint Peter and
Saint Paul. The squinches, pendentives, nave vaults, narthex domes, and
narthex vaults contained festival cycles, or festivals related to the life of
Christ. The minor domes, vaults, and upper walls in the narthex,
ambulatories and galleries were covered with Saints and benefactors
[Reference 11.] The pieces held very special precedence in the church due to
the time it took to create them as well as the craftsmanship which was
needed to truly elevate these master works.
Not only were mosaics popular, but the illumination of manuscripts
became a dominant art form during this time. Almost all forms of text from
both religious and secular origin were hand painted. The most influential
characteristics of Byzantine manuscript painting were the abundant use of
precious metals, especially gold; the choice of bright colors; and the use of
empty space, often filled with gold leaf, as background. Byzantine
illumination was frequently devoted to narrating biblical stories. However,
styles of depicting the human figure varied in Middle Byzantine art over the
centuries.

There were also a number of minor artworks such as reliefs, ivory carvings,
enamels; jewelry, metal works, and figured silks were produced in large
quantities throughout the Byzantine era. Many of these were religious in
nature, although a large number of objects with secular or nonrepresentational decoration were produced: for example, ivories representing
themes from classical mythology. Byzantine ceramics were relatively crude,
as pottery was never used at the tables of the rich, who ate off silver
[Reference 2].
The people of middle byzantine accomplished a lot in their lifetime.
Using their wealth, refinement, and dedication they were able to produce
some of the most beautiful pieces of art work. And although only a small
portion of it still survives today we are able to see their history in these
fragments that they left behind. They did more than just create art, they
create a world and civilization that we will never truly know, and in doing so
marked themselves a place in history for many to see and appreciate for
many years to come.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_art
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica
http://www.hagiasophiablog.com/A_restoration_project.pdf
http://www.learn.columbia.edu/ma/htm/or/ma_or_discuss_mba.html
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/byza/hd_byza.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_cathedrals_and_great_churches#
Architecture
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica
8. http://books.google.com/books?
id=Caqa12aj55wC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
9. http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/byzantine-art-andarchitecture.html
10.
https://share.ehs.uen.org/node/10187
11.http://www.juliepetrusa.com/Middle.htm