Expert: Jeni Andrews-Fraser - 5/4/2008

Question
Hello,
I saw this question on tv the other day and wanted to know if you could answer it for me. The question was: How does Byzantine Art reflected Byzantine culture and society? I found it pretty internesting and researched it on the internet but couldn't find anything.
Thanks for you're help,  

Answer
Hello Abby - and thanks for your question.  What a shame your TV programme didn't answer the question it posed! To answer it in full I'd be writing a book - but perhaps this abbreviated (and biased to art historical concerns) response will satisfy your immediate curiosity and lead you to some more valid research ... here goes!  The Byzantine culture existed way before the Romans arrived and 'took over'.  The Emperor Constantine moved his administrative headquarters to Byzantium (thence renamed Constantinople, modern day Istanbul)when Rome became corrupt.  Constantinople flourished.  Artists melded Eastern art forms with Western art forms - check out the best known example of Byzantine architecture in the Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom); other art forms considered 'Byzantine' are the use of mosaic decoration (rather than fresco) - as seen in the churches of Ravenna, and the introduction of Christian imagery - used to teach the stories of the Bible.  Hierarchical scale (most important person is the largest); the elevation of Mary from a mere mother to a key figure in the liturgy; standardised facial forms (large almond shaped eyes, small rosebud mouths and straight, rather hooked noses with a strange triangular 'indentation' at the bridge, and hieratic stares (looks like they're all rabbits caught in a car's headlights!); sgraffito (scratching through paint to reveal the gold leaf beneath - used to define drapery, halos etc.); mandorlas (Christ contained in a head-to-foot egg shaped halo); and gold backgrounds to signify an otherworldly place - heaven! Painters created 'portable' art - icons.  (which iconoclasts took great pleasure in destroying later on!)

As to how Byzantine art reflects Byzantine culture and society - I only know about the art - and if art is a reflection of society, then I would surmise that Byzantine culture/society was mainly Christian, with a great love of glittering mosaic.  For the rest, you need a cultural historian .. and not an art historian.

Hope your appetite is whetted.  The Internet is awash with great Byzantine information - Here are some good weblinks for you:
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Byzantium/byzhome.html
http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/b/byzantine.html
http://www.princeton.edu/~asce/const_95/ayasofya.html
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp./org/orion/eng/hst/byzantz/sanvital.html

Enjoy!
Jeni