Byzantine Influence on Russian Art and Architecture

Byzantine visual art began with mosaics decorating the walls and domes of
churches, as well fresco wall-paintings. A less public art form in Constantinople,
was the icon (from the Greek word 'eikon' meaning 'image') - the holy image
panel-paintings which were developed in the monasteries of the eastern church,
using encaustic wax paint on portable wooden panels.
Russian icon painters flourished throughout the Byzantine period. Russian icons
were known for their strict adhesion to Byzantine style painting including the use
of patterns, strong lines, and contrasting colors. Most Byzantine Russian icons
were painted in egg tempera on wood panels. Gold leaf was often used for halos
and background colors and bronze, silver, and tin were also used to embellish the
icons.
The work of Andrei Rublev, a Russian icon painter in the fifteenth century, is
considered to be the pinnacle of Byzantine Russia icon painting. He was born in
the 1360's and died in either 1427 or 1430. He worked at the Cathedral of the
Annunciation under Theopanes the Greek, a Byzantine master, who moved to
Russia and is believed to have been Rublev's teacher. Rublev also often worked
with Daniil Cherni, another monastic artist. The two painted icons for the
Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir in 1408 and the Church of the Trinity in the
Trinity-St.Sergius Lavra monastery from 1425-1427.
The Byzantine Empire influenced Russian architecture as well. Just like Russian
art, their architecture was centered around Christianity. Traditional cathedrals
(churches) in the Byzantine empire were topped with domes. In Russia, their
churches were topped with what are popularly known as, onion domes. These
were domes that looked onion shaped (see picture below). This architectural
concept of domes was an idea taken directly from the Byzantine Empire.

Byzantine Art

Russian Art

Byzantine Dome
(Hagia Sophia, largest Cathedral in Byzantine Empire

Russian Onion Dome

Directions: Use the document to

answer the following questions.
1) Explain the meaning of icon
paintings.

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2) How is Andrei Rublev an example of Byzantine art spreading to Russia?

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3) Describe the Byzantine Empires influence on Russias art and architecture.
Why is it important?
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