What kind of art is the Emperor Justinian and his attendants?
What kind of art is the Emperor Justinian and his attendants?
mosaics
One of the most studied mosaics of the Byzantine church of San Vitale in Ravenna , Italy is Emperor Justinian and His Attendants, sometimes called Justinian and His Courtiers, a companion piece to Empress Theodora and Her Attendants. The mosaics were completed in 547 AD, shortly before the consecration of the church.
What is Justinian and attendants about?
One of the most famous images of political authority from the Middle Ages is the mosaic of the Emperor Justinian and his court in the sanctuary of the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. A major theme of this mosaic program is the authority of the emperor in the Christian plan of history.
What is the size of Emperor Justinian and his attendants?
Dimensions: 18.9 × 24.3 cm (7 7/16 × 9 9/16 in.)
What artistic technique was used to create Emperor Justinian and his attendants?
When Justinian came to power in 527 CE, he underscored his legitimacy by leveraging both the artistic and political power of mosaics. Justinian’s authority over the government, senate, and church are clearly conveyed through a series of mosaics in Ravenna, Italy.
What was the primary decorative medium for the interior of Byzantine churches?
While brick, stone, or a mixture of both to create decorative patterns were the materials most often used for Byzantine churches, many were simply converted pagan temples or other secular buildings.
What was the goal of Justinian?
Justinian had a goal of re-uniting the Roman Empire. He sent out armies to battle the barbarians who had taken control in the West. Justinian’s Roman armies were very successful, taking back parts of Africa and most of Italy.
How does the iconography of Empress Theodora and her attendants and Emperor Justinian and his attendants symbolize the celebration of the Eucharist?
It shows that the emperor derives his power from the church and the military. Justinian holds bread, which refers to the Eucharist. Theodora is holding a chalice, suggesting that she is part of the church. She wears purple with a golden background, suggesting Byzantine imperial standing.
What was a common feature of Byzantine architecture unusual in the West?
The most distinctive feature was the domed roof.
Who painted Justinian?
Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant
Measuring a staggering thirteen by twenty-two feet, the painting by 19th-century French artist Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant depicts the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and his counselors engaged in a discussion of religious texts.