ARTH241 Byzantine Art and Architecture

Arth 241: Byzantine Art and Architecture

Prof. Robert Ousterhout, Office: 208 Jaffe Building

Office phone: 898-3249; email:

Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 pm or by appointment

Textbooks:

John Lowden, Early Christian and Byzantine Art

Linda Safran, ed., Heaven on Earth

Additional readings may be found on-line or on Blackboard, as noted

Book Reserve in Fisher Fine Arts Library:

·  Barber, Ch., Figure and Likeness

·  Belting, H., Likeness and Presence

·  Cormack, R., Writing in Gold

·  Cormack, R., Byzantine Art

·  Demus, O. Byzantine Mosaic Decoration

·  Evans, H., ed., The Glory of Byzantium

·  Evans, H., ed., Byzantium Faith and Power

·  Grabar, A., Byzantium: from the Death of Theodosius…

·  Grabar, A., Early Christian Art

·  Grabar, A., Christian Iconography

·  Kleinbauer, W.E., Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture: an annotated bibliography

·  Krautheimer, R. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture (1986 ed.)

·  Krautheimer, R., Three Christian Capitals

·  Lowden, J., Early Christian and Byzantine Art

·  Mango, C. Art of the Byzantine Empire: Sources and Documents

·  Mango, C., Byzantine Architecture

·  Mathews, T., Byzantium from antiquity to the Renaissance

·  Mathews, T., The Clash of Gods

·  Mathews, The Early Churches of Constantinople

·  Ousterhout, R., Master Builders of Byzantium

·  Ousterhout, R., The Art of the Kariye Camii

·  Safran, L., ed., Heaven on Earth

·  Weitzmann, K., ed., The Age of Spirituality

Course Schedule:

6/9: Introduction: How to create an art for a new religion?

Monuments:

·  Berlin, Staatliche Bibliothek. Quedlinburg Itala (fragmentary manuscript, Book of Kings, ca. 425-50)

·  Jonah Sarcophagus (Vatican, late 3rd c.)

·  Dumbarton Oaks Collection. Riha Paten (liturgical vessel, Communion of the Apostles, 577)

·  Ravenna, S. Apollinare Nuovo (mosaics), late 5th c.)

·  Thessaloniki, Rotunda of St. George (architecture and mosaics late 3rd-6th cc?)

·  Rome, Lateran Basilica (cathedral church, begun 313)

Readings:

Lowden, Intro

[A. Grabar, Christian Iconography, chs. 1-2]

11/9: Rome before Constantine

Monuments:

·  Rome, Catacombs of St. Callixtus (217 CE +), Priscilla, Domitilla

·  Rome, triclia under S. Sebastiano (ca. 258)

·  Rome, cella trichora at St. Callixtus catacomb (ca. 300?)

·  Dura Europos, Christian House (before 256)

·  Dura Europos, Synagogue (before 256)

·  Dura Europos, Mythraeum and Temple of Palmyrene Gods

·  Rome, “Trophy” of St. Peter and Vatican Necropolis (late 2nd c)

Readings:

Lowden, Ch.1

[R. Krautheimer, Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture, Ch. 1]

13/9: Rome after Constantine

Monuments:

·  Rome, Arch of Constantine (315)

·  Rome, Cemetery Basilica of S. Sebastiano or “Basilica Apostolorum” (cemetery church, ca. 312)

·  Rome, Basilica of St. Peter (cemetery basilica and martyrium, begun ca. 320)

·  Vatican Museum, Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus (359)

·  Rome, Via Latina Catacomb (ca. 350-400)

Readings:

[R. Krautheimer, EC&BA, Ch.2]

[R. Krautheimer, Three Christian Capitals, Ch. 1+4]

[Age of Spirituality]

18/9: Jerusalem

Discussion: Come prepared to discuss the text of Eusebius describing Constantine’s Holy Sepulchre. First, what is he describing? Can you walk through the building complex with his description? Second, what meanings does he ascribe to the architecture?

Monuments:

·  Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre (begun 335-6 by Zenobius and Eustathius, consecrated 336; Anastasis Rotunda ca. 350)

·  Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity (completed by 333)

·  Rossano, Cathedral Treasury, Gospels (6th c.)

·  Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Sinope Gospels (6th c.)

Readings:

·  [R. Ousterhout, “The Temple, The Sepulchre…]

·  [G. Armstrong, “Constantine’s Churches…]

·  Eusebius, Life of Constantine, account of the construction of the Holy Sepulchre: (III.25-40): http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-01/Npnf2-01-29.htm#P7707_3182838

20/9: Constantinople

Monuments

·  Mese (4th c.)

·  Forums of Constantine and Theodosius (4th c.)

·  Imperial Palace (4th c. and later)

·  Hippodrome (ca. 200 and 4th c.)

·  Holy Apostles church (337 and later)

·  Palaces of Lausos and Antiochos (early 5th c.)

·  Aqueduct of Valens (ca. 368)

·  Fildamı cistern (5th c.)

·  Land Walls ( by Theodosius II, ca. 412-13)

·  St. John Studios (463)

Readings:

·  Alchermes, ch. 1 in Heaven on Earth

·  C. Mango, “The Development of Constantinople as an Urban Centre” [BB]

25/9: Baptism and Burial: Initiation and Commemoration

Monuments:

·  Milan, Baptistery at S. Thecla (ca. 380)

·  Milan, S Lorenzo and chapel of S. Aqilino (late 4th c.)

·  Ravenna, Orthodox Baptistery (ca. 400 + 450)

·  Rome, Mausoleum of Helena (mausoleum, sarcophagus; early 4th c)

·  Rome, S. Costanza (mausoleum, mosaics, porphyry sarcophagus, ca. 350)

·  Constantinople, Church of the Holy Apostles (337-52)

·  Ravenna, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, ca. 425

Readings:

·  R. Krautheimer, “Introduction to an ‘Iconography of Medieval Architecture’” [BB]

·  J.B. Ward-Perkins, “Mausolea and Their Possible Influence on Early Christian Central-Plan Buildings” [BB]

27/9: Thessaloniki

Monuments:

·  Rotunda of St. George

·  Church of the Virgin (“Achieropoiitos”)

·  Church of St. Demetrius

2/10: Holy Sites and Pilgrimage

Monuments:

·  Vatican Museums, Loca Sancta reliquary (6th c.)

·  Dumbarton Oaks Collection, Ampulla from Holy Sepulchre (6th c.)

·  Qalat Saman, Church of St. Simeon the Elder

·  Bobbio, pilgrim’s token of St. Simeon the Younger

·  Menil collection, pilgrim’s token of St. Simeon the Younger

·  Ephesus, St. John the Theologian (church, 5th-6th c)

·  Princeton Art Museum, ampulla of St. John (6th c.?)

Readings:

·  G. Vikan in Heaven on Earth

·  [G. Vikan, Byzantine Pilgrimage Art(Washington, 1982) =
http://www.doaks.org/PilgrimageArt.pdf]

4/10: Justinian and Hagia Sophia

Discussion: Read the text of Procopius describing the construction of Hagia Sophia. How does he want us to understand it? What are the two structural problems he describes at the end of the passage?

Monuments:

·  Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, (built by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus 532-37)

·  Constantinople, Sts. Sergius and Bacchus (527-532?)

·  Constantinople, St. Polyeuktos (built for Anicia Juliana, early 6th c.)

·  Constantinople, Holy Apostles (536-50)

Readings:

·  Lowden, Ch. 2

·  Ousterhout, ch. 4 in Heaven on Earth

·  [Krautheimer, EC&BA, ch. 9]

·  Procopius, Buildings, account of the construction of Hagia Sophia (I.i): http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Procopius/Buildings/1A*.html

9/10: Constantinople and Ravenna

Monuments:

·  London, British Museum, Ivory of St. Michael (early 6th c.)

·  Paris, Louvre Museum, Barberini Ivory (second quarter 6th c.)

·  Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna Dioskurides, ca. 512

·  S. Apollinare Nuovo (ca. 490)

·  S. Vitale (ca. 522-48?)

·  Ravenna, Museo Archivescovile, Throne of Maximian (ca. 550)

Readings:

·  Lowden, Ch. 3

11/10: Icons and Iconoclasm

Monuments:

·  Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, apse mosaic (565)

·  Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, Icon of Christ,(6th c.)

·  Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, Icon of St. Peter (6th or early 7th c.)

·  Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, Icon of the Theotokos (6th c.)

·  Damascus, Great Mosque, mosaics (705-15)

·  Um-al-Rasas (Jordan), church of St. Stephen, floor mosaics (718)

·  Constantinople, Hagia Eirene, apse mosaic (after 753)

Readings:

·  Lowden, Ch. 4

·  [Perl, ch. 2 in Heaven on Earth]

·  Kartsonis, ch. 3 in Heaven on Earth

16/10: Restoration of Images

Monuments

·  Nicaea, church of the Koimesis, mosaics

·  Moscow, Khludov Psalter

·  Thessaloniki, Hagia Sophia

·  Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, mosaics

·  Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Homilies of Gregory of Nazanzus (Paris gr. 510)

Readings:

·  Lowden, ch. 4-5

18/10: New Church Decoration

Monuments:

·  Constantinople, Myrelaion (ca. 920)

·  Thessaloniki, Panagia Chalkeon (ca. 1028)

·  Phokis, Hosios Loukas (early and mid 11th c.)

·  Chios, Nea Moni (ca. 1042-48)

Readings:

·  Lowden, ch. 6

·  Maguire in Heaven on Earth

·  [O. Demus, Byzantine Mosaic Decoration]

23/10: Midterm Exam

25/10: Byzantine Manuscripts

Monuments

·  Paris Gregory (Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Homilies of Gregory of Nazainzus), 879-83

·  Leo Bible (Rome, Biblioteca Vaticana), ca. 930-40

·  Paris Psalter (Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale), ca. 950-70

·  Joshua Roll (Rome, Biblioteca Vaticana), mid 10th-c.

·  “Menologion” of Basil II ((Rome, Biblioteca Vaticana), late 10th or early 11th c.

·  Vienna Gospels (Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek), 11th c.

·  Parma Gospels (Parma, Biblioteca Palatina), ca. 1100

·  Vatican Octateuch (Rome, Biblioteca Vaticana), ca. 1050-75

·  Florence Gospels (Florence, Biblioteca Laurenziana), ca. 1050-75

Readings:

·  Lowden, pp. 199-210, 273-306

·  N.P. Sevcenko in Heaven on Earth, 186-228

30/10: Cappadocia

Monuments:

·  Göreme Valley monastic settlement, 10th -11th cc.

o  Barbara Church, 11th c.

o  Tokalı Kilise (“Buckle Church”), mid 10th c.

o  Elmalı Kilise (“Apple Church”), 11th c.

o  Karanlık Kilise (“Dark Church”) and monastery, 11th c.

o  Çarıklı Kilise (“Sandal Church”) and monastery, 11th c.

·  Çanlı Kilise (“Bell Church”) settlement, 10th-11th cc.

o  Çanlı Kilise, early 11th c.

o  Rock-cut houses, 10th-11th cc.

Readings:

·  [R. Ousterhout, “The Ecumenical Character of Byzantine Architecture: The View from Cappadocia” available on Blackboard]

1/11: Monastic Art and Architecture

Monuments:

·  Phokis, Hosios Loukas Monastery, 10th-11th c.

·  Mount Athos, Lavra Monastery, founded 961

·  Göreme, Karanlık Kilise (“Dark Church”) and monastery, 11th c.

·  Göreme, Çarıklı Kilise (“Sandal Church”) and monastery, 11th c.

·  Theodore Psalter (London, British Library), 1066

·  Patmos Liturgical Roll (Patmos, Monastery of St. John), 12th c.

·  Theodore Psalter (London, British Library), 1066

·  Icon of the Heavenly Ladder second half 12th c.

·  Icon of the Holy Fathers of Sinai (Sinai, Monastery of St. Catherine), 13th c.

6/11: Art of the Court: Patronage and Ownership

Monuments:

·  Paris Gregory (Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Homilies of Gregory of Nazainzus), 879-83

·  Harbaville Triptych (Paris, Louvre), ivory, 10th c.

·  Romanos Ivory (Paris, Cabinet des Médailles), 944-9

·  Veroli Casket (London Victoria and Albert Museum), second half 10th c.

·  Limburg Stauroteca (Limburg an der Lahn, Diocesan Museum), 945-59

·  Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, Imperial portraits of Constantine IX and Zoe with Christ, ca. 1042-55

·  Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, Imperial portraits of John II Komnenos and Eirene with the Theotokos, 1122-34

·  Constantinople, Monastery of Christ Pantokrator, 1118-43

·  Vatican Gospels (Rome, Biblioteca Vaticana), 1125-35

·  Madrid Skylitzes (Madrid, National Library, Historical Synopsis for years 811-1057, by John Skylitzes), mid 12th c.

Readings:

·  Lowden chs. 5-7, 9

8/11: Italy in the 12th Century

Monuments

·  Venice, S. Marco, 1063-90 and later

·  Pala d’Oro (Venice, S. Marco), ca. 1130 and later

·  Monreale, Cathedral, 1175-90

·  Palermo, Cappella Palatina, 1142-43

·  Pala d’Oro (Venice, S. Marco), ca. 1130 and later

·  Rome, St. Paul’s, bronze doors, 1070s.

Readings:

·  Lowden, ch. 8

13/11: Crusader Art and the Fourth Crusade

Monuments:

·  Nerezi, St. Panteleimon, 1164

·  Kurbinovo, Church of St. George, 1191

·  Icon of the Annunciation (Sinai, Monastery of St. Catherine), late 12th c.

·  Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as rebuilt 12th c.

·  Melisende Psalter (London, British Library), 1131-43

·  Constantinople, Kalenderhane Camii (Panagia Kyriotissa), cycle of St. Francis, ca. 1250

·  Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, flying buttresses and belfry, mid-13th c.

Readings:

·  Lowden, ch. 9

15/11: Palaiologan Renaissance and Kariye Camii

Monuments:

·  Constantinople, Chora Monastery (Kariye Camii), rebuilt by Theodore Metochites, 1316-21

Readings:

·  Lowden, ch. 10

·  Ousterhout, in Heaven on Earth, esp. 106 ff.

·  [R. Ousterhout, The Art of the Kariye Camii, on reserve in Fisher]

20/11: Constantinople

Monuments:

·  Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, Deesis mosaic, ca. 1260s

·  Kahn Madonna (Washington, National Gallery), late 13th c.

·  Icon of the Annunciation (Ohrid, Icon Gallery), early 14th c.

·  Icon of Synaxis of Apostles (Moscow, Puskin museum), early 14th c.

·  Constantinople, Tekfur Saray Palace, late 13th or mid 14th c.

·  Constantinople, Fethiye Camii (Theotokos Pammakaristos), parekklesion, 1310.

·  Works of Dionysius the Areopagite (Paris, Louvre), 1403-05

Readings:

·  [H. Evans, ed. Byzantium Faith and Power 1261-1557, on reserve, peruse]

·  www.metmuseum.org/explore/byzantium_III/home.html

27/11: Thessaloniki, Mount Athos, and Mistra

Monuments:

·  Thessaloniki, Church of the Holy Apostles, 1310-14

·  Thessaloniki, Church of Nikolaos Orphanos, ca. 1325-50

·  Icon of Theotokos Kataphyge (Sofia, Institue of Archaeology), 1371-93

·  Icon of St. Demetrius (Sassoferrato, Museo Civico), early 14th c.

·  Two-sided icon with inlaid icon (Thessaloniki, Vlattadon), mid-14th and late 15th cc.

·  Mount Athos, Hilandar Monastery, founded late 10th c., but much from 14th c.

·  Mistra, a late Byzantine city, 14th-15th c.

29/11: Serbia and the Balkans

Monuments

·  Studenica Monastery, church after 1183; paintings 1209

·  Sopoćani Monastery, paintings 1266

·  Ohrid, St. Clement, paintings 1295

·  Gračanica Monastery, 1311-21

4/12: Russia

Monuments:

·  Icon of the Virgin of Vladimir, 12th c.

·  Kiev, St. Sophia, 1037

·  Vladimir, Church of the Pokrov, 1165

·  Icon of Virgin of the Don (Moscow, Tretiakov Gallery), early 15th c.

·  Sakkos of Photios (Moscow, Kremlin), 1414-17

·  Moscow Kremlin (Cathedral of the Assumption, 1475-79;)

6/12: Review

12/14: TERM PAPERS DUE!

19/12: FINAL EXAM Wednesday 19 December 2007

The exam will be similar in form to the midterm and will cover the material from Lecture 13 (“New Church Decoration”) onward. One essay question will ask you to consider the entire semester’s material.