BYZANTINE AND

ROMANESQUE
 CHARACTERISTICS OF BYZANTINE ART

• The central concern of the Byzantine style is the awe-inspiring presentation of holy

figures
• They are portrayed in stylized postures, serene of expression and often halo-crowned.
• Byzantine paintings specialized in mosaics and icons
• Byzantine Empire was born out of the remains of the Roman Empire and continued to
have the same elements of the Roman classical tradition, but in a Christian style.
• Byzantine art had two traditions – one reflecting the classical past and a more formal
style of art.
CHARACTERISTICS OF BYZANTINE ART

• The Byzantine Empire was concentrated around Constantinople (today

known as Istanbul). 
•  All elements of Byzantine design reflect Christian ideas and symbolism.
•  Churches had large central domes to represent the domain of God in
heaven.
• These central domes are surrounded by a varying arrangement of smaller
domes and spaces with vaulted ceilings.
ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE

• The architecture is typified by many-domed, highly

decorated churches.
• Architectural style which developed in
the Byzantine Empire ,spread to Italy, Russia, and
elsewhere.
•Hagia Sophia (523-537)
 
 CHARACTERISTICS

• All sense of weight

disappears in the interior.
• Light plays a key role
Glitter of light and
mosaics.
• Lots of space for mosaic
decoration.
• Large central dome with
40 windows at base.
• Byzantine churches were ornate with rich decorative design.
• They were covered in frescos, or pictures painted directly into wet plaster. 
• Mosaics, or images made of many small pieces of materials such as tile or
colored glass, were also very prominent.
MOSAICS:
MADE WITH SMALL PIECES OF COLORED GLASS AND
STONES.

• The mosaic is
symmetrical with Christ
seated in the middle
surrounded by three
sheep on either side. 

Mosaic (425 AD)

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna.
Italy
ROMANESQUE ART
(ROMAN LIKE)

11-12th Centuries
 WHAT WAS THE ROMANESQUE ART LIKE?

• It was a new western art style from the 11th century.

• It aimed to spread religion and bring people closer to God.
• The use of symbols was important (everything had a message).
• In this period, artists were anonymous.
ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE

• Buildings were churches, cathedrals and monasteries.

• Main material was stone.
• Roman elements were common (barrel vaults, domes, round arches, columns,
pillars).
• Walls were thick and Windows were very small (little light).
• Buildings looked very solid.
• They built horizontal churches.
Three types of Vault
ROMANESQUE
SCULPTURE
• Statute are mainly Religious.
• Educational Purpose
• Painted in bright colors
• Rigid Clothes
• Stylized form of figures
Morgan and Madonna

• Small Statute
• Religious
• Open eyes
• Expressionless Mary as the Throne of
face. Wisdom: Madonna as
Seat of Wisdom, 1199.
ITALY
Zoomorphic Form
FORMS RESEMBLING
ANIMALS

Vézelay Abbey, Burgundy, France: The tympanum of Vézelay Abbey

in Burgundy, completed in the 1130s, has a great deal of decorative
spiral detail in the draperies
ZOOMORPHIC FORM
ROMANESQUE PAINTINGS

• Paintings were inside churches.

• Human Figures were rigid.
• Painted in bright colors.
• The figures were outlined in black.
• The eyes and hands were emphasized.
1. Mural
2. Miniature
3. Panel
PAINTINGS