The course aims to bring students closer to the knowledge of Byzantine artistic culture in the fields of architecture, mosaic, sculpture and the multiple and refined products of sumptuary art, so as to provide a suitable tool for a broader and deeper understanding of the cultural and artistic phenomena that characterized the Middle Ages.

Through the knowledge of the main monuments and artworks produced within the Byzantine Empire, the course aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the main artistic currents formed in the capital and in the provinces of the empire.

Particular attention will be paid to the urban and monumental evolution of Constantinople and to the high level artefacts produced by the artistic workshops of the capital; in comparison with the metropolitan artistic niveau, art production from peripheral areas, both within the Byzantine Empire, both in politically independent territories but, such as Italy, subject to the artistic and cultural influence of Constantinople, will be considered.

In detail the main topics addressed will be the following:
• the foundation of Constantinople and the main civil and religious monuments built between the 4th and 5th centuries;
• the production and artistic vitality of the other great cities of the empire (Thessalonica, Antioch);
• the sumptuary art of the capital (ivories, silver, illuminated codes) and the choices of the patronage;
• the art of the Justinian age in the capital and in the provinces;
• the Santa Sofia basilica;
• the age of iconoclasm: theological reasons and effects on artistic production;
• the art of the so called Macedonian renaissance;
• the figured mosaics of the Hagia Sophia and the formulation of a new midddle Byzantine decorative program;
• formation and development of the monastery in the Middle-Byzantine period (9th-12th century);
• the great mosaic cycles of the eleventh century;
• the Macedonian age miniature;
• the sumptuary art of the Macedonian age (ivories, enamels);
• the stylistic turning point of the painting of the Comnenian age;
• the last flowering of Byzantine monumental painting: the mosaics and the frescoes of the Chora monastery

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons.

Course books

- Lineamenti di architettura bizantina, a cura di A. Paribeni, testi di M. della Valle, S. Moretti, A. Paribeni, S. Pedone, A. Taddei; 

- Introduzione all’arte bizantina IV-XV secolo, dispense a cura di C. Barsanti, M. della Valle, R. Flaminio, A. Guiglia Guidobaldi, A. Iacobini, A. Paribeni, S. Pasi, S. Pedone, A. Taddei.

Both texts will be available on  Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Individual study

Course books

- Lineamenti di architettura bizantina, a cura di A. Paribeni, testi di M. della Valle, S. Moretti, A. Paribeni, S. Pedone, A. Taddei; 

- Introduzione all’arte bizantina IV-XV secolo, dispense a cura di C. Barsanti, M. della Valle, R. Flaminio, A. Guiglia Guidobaldi, A. Iacobini, A. Paribeni, S. Pasi, S. Pedone, A. Taddei.

Both texts will be available on  Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it