Byzantine Art

Above is a bust of the Emporer Constantine, who ruled the Roman Empire from 306-337 AD.  During his reign, the persecution of Christians was stopped by the Edict of Milan in 313.  He also convened the Council of Nicea in 325 and Christianity became the established religion of the Empire,declaring that God is the Father and Jesus is his only begotten son.   

Constantine also established an Eastern Capitol of the Empire in Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople. 

The Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)  in Constantinople (now Istanbul) was built as a palace church later by the Emperor Justinian, who ruled from 527-565 AD.    

The structure is an amazing architectural achievement, and Justinian is said to have claimed that he "outdid" Solomon in building it.  The huge dome is supported by four triangular pendentives that transfer the support of the circular structure to four pillars.  


Two of the pendentives are shown at the back on either side of the main arch in the picture above.  Here is a simplified version:

It is tempting to go into the history, but I am sticking with the art, which is still pretty complicated.  Sophia Hagia became a Muslim Mosque and then a  museum, which it is now.  Below is a contemporary picture of the Hagia Sophia.  During that time, the dome fell in 558, when there was an earthquake, but it was rebuilt in 563.  

The interior of Hagia Sophia  is decorated with mosaics, including one depicting Mary holding the baby Jesus, with Justinian presenting him with a model of the Hagia Sophia and Constantine presenting him with a model of the city of Constantinople.

That mosaic also demonstrates the more stylized figure representation of Medieval art, when compared the the more natural figures of the classical Roman era and the Renaissance.  In most of these medieval figures, the person looks directly at the viewer, and the image is meant to link the viewer with the holy figures.  It is also interesting to note that Justinian and Constantine have halos; they were considered to be both rulers and saints.  Of course, Mary and the baby Jesus also have halos. In 431 AD, the idea of Mary as the Mother of God, or "Theotokos," was established by the Third Ecumenical Council.  This concept was based on the idea that, since Mary was the mother of Jesus, she was also the Mother of God. The result was that images of Mary holding the infant became a common artistic theme.  Paintings of God were not considered possible, though he would appear from time to time as a hand descending from heaven, such as the detail below from a mosaic in Ravenna.

Another interesting mosaic in the Hagia Sophia is the Virgin Theotokos, from 867 AD,  which is actually a post iconoclast work.

A little history is necessary now.  Works depicting religious figures, or icons, were made unlawful by the Iconoclast Council of Hiera in 754, based on biblical teachings that there should be no making and worshiping "graven images" or idols.   So, new images were prohibited and some of the existing images were destroyed.  This is known as the Iconoclast Era.  The second council of Nicaea reinstated the use of icons in 787, stating that holy images should be seen frequently so that those who see them are drawn to remember and pay tribute to the images.  The work above was executed in that spirit.  This is an opportunity to point out how many of the images of Mary and the baby Jesus depict them seated on a throne, whether in an earthly realm or in heaven.  The image above can be considered them in heaven, primarily because of the metallic gold background.

Another important art center was Ravenna, Italy.  Ravenna was Western Capitol of the Roman Empire from 402 to 476.  There are numerous mosaics there which are very well preserved.  Ravenna had been a port city and was important in transportation between Rome and Constantinople.  However, the port silted over and so it was no longer usable.  In present day jargon--no-one went there anymore, especially during the Iconclastic era and subsequent invasions of the Roman Empire.  The result is that the outstanding mosaics are preserved.   In Ravenna's Basilica of San Vitale, there is an important mosaic depicting the Emporer Justinian.  In it, he is shown with his military officials on one side and the ecclesiastical officials on the other, showing that he had both military and religious authority.



There is also a mosaic of Justinian's wife, Theodora, that shows her with men and women of her court.  I have actually seen these mosaics and they are stunning.

There is MUCH more, but I will close and post as this particular post is much too long.  If you ever get the chance to go to Ravenna, do it.  It is beautiful and many of the streets still feel very medieval.  I have not been to the Hagia Sophia, but definitely plan to go there.  These are important artistic links.

More From My Art History Class in Medieval Art--Early Christian Art

In the third century AD, Christians in Rome were persecuted and so had to be careful about displaying images relating to their religion.  They buried people in decorated sarcophagi in catacombs.  Since images that depicted Christian scenes and symbols would have been dangerous, they used images that would have been acceptable to non-Christians, but could be interpreted as Christian.  For example, the detail image above depicts Jonas being pulled back into a boat after escaping from the belly of the whale.  It would have been perfectly acceptable as traditional Roman art, which accepted the Old Testament, but early Christians might have used it to convey the idea of resurrection, or Christ rising from the dead.

It was a period of transition in art.  As our instructor described it, there was Christianizing of Roman Art and Romanizing of Christian Art.  Another image from about this time is bread and fish, suggesting the Sermon on the Mount. Those images could also be interpreted as a Roman symbol of bounty, which would have been perfectly acceptable in Roman culture. The fresco below is in the Catacombs of San Callisto, which were originally dug out at the end of the 2nd century.  We are free to interpret it as we want, but I gather most scholars think it is covertly an image to convey thoughts of Christ.

Another fresco depicts a group of men, who Christians might see as Jesus and the disciples at The Last Supper, but this type of scene would also have been a common Roman image of a scholar and his students.

The persecution of Christians ended with what is known as the Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine in 313 AD.  He was Roman Emperor and also a Christian,  According to the Edict, no one could be persecuted because of religion.   That meant that images of Jesus and other religious figures could be openly executed and displayed.  In 325 AD, the Nicene Creed was adopted and Jesus was deemed to be divine.  Paintings of him began to emerge with halos.

Constantine also moved the Eastern Capitol  of the Roman Empire to Byzantium in 330 AD, renaming it Constantinople.

Theological ideas were also in a transition,and Christianity became the official religion of the Romans under Emperor Theodosius in 380 AD.  Many Roman statues of gods were destroyed at that time because they were "pagan."  In 431 AD, the idea of Mary as the Mother of God, or "Theotokos," was established by the Third Ecumenical Council.  So, images of Mary holding Jesus, with both of them having halos,emerged.

As travel between the East and West developed, the Port of Ravenna became an important center.  Ravenna is known for its mosaics and the churches built there feature mosaics that tell stories from the Old and New Testaments.  One of the most well-known, and interesting, of these is "Christ in Majesty" in San Vitale (527-548 AD).

Jesus is on a "blue throne, with a halo and in a golden background rather than in a natural setting. (Apologies about the copyright notice--I am not doing this for money, so I think it is OK here) There are two angels and  and the two other figures are San Vitale, on the left, being handed a martyr's crown and Bishop Ecclesius, on the right, with a model of the church.  San Vitale was an early Christian martyr and Ecclesius is the founder of this church.  I have seen this mosaic in Ravenna and it is stunning...even when I didn't understand it.  It is high in the apse and has a golden glow because of the golden mosaic background.  I have always been intrigued by Ravenna and now I understand it a little more.  One of the reasons it survived is because it was a port that became "silted in" and wasn't used and so was kind of forgotten.

Shakespeare's Birthday

Today, we (which includes Louisa, Peter, Griffin, Sophia and assorted other young people) enjoyed an afternoon at the Shakespeare Library and Theater.  One of the very fun things was doing a reading from Shakespeare in the theater.  The picture above is from the t-shirt I got from my participation. I read some of Phoebe's lines from "As You Like It."

"Think not I love him, though I ask for him.
Tis but a peevish boy---yet he talks well--
But what I care for words?  Yet words do well
When he that speaks them pleases those that hear.
It is a pretty youth--not very pretty---
But sure he's proud--and yet his pride becomes him.
He'll make a proper man.  The best thing in him
Is his complexion; and faster than his tongue
Did make offense, his eye did heal it up.
He is not very tall--yet for his years he's tall.
His leg is but so-so---and yet 'tis well.
There was a pretty redness in his lip,
A little riper and more lusty red
Than that mixed in his cheek:  'twas just the difference
Betwixt the constant red and mingled damask.

Picture below is me reading that piece. I look very casual and was wearing a t-shirt that said, "Canst thou bring me to the party?"  I made to the party and enjoyed the fun.

 The young people were particularly encouraged to participate and they did.  Sophia especially enjoyed it.  They also had  music, appearances by "The Queen" and a lot of other activities. Great fun!  We stayed much longer than we had anticipated and will go back next year. Happy Birthday Shakespeare.  Griffin asked why we were going to a birthday party for someone who was dead.  Well, to honor him and his work!

Art of the Medieval World: Cathedrals and Beyond

 I began something new and exciting a week ago.  It is a Smithsonian Associates course on Art of the Medieval World.  It goes for six sessions, with an hour and a half presentation each time.  I am particularly excited about it because it is a part of a bigger commitment to a certificate program in World
Art History.  I will need to complete 10 courses, at least 4 core courses and 6 electives.  Art of the Medieval World is a core course.

The first session was an overview, covering Medieval Art across 1000 years (300-1300 AD).  The lecture is led by Dr. Judy Scott Feldman who is, needless to say, a very knowledgeable expert and a good public speaker.  She had us enraptured and taking notes.  I think about 50 are in the class.  Above I show the Chartres Cathedral, which was shown at the beginning of the program and which I saw almost exactly two years ago in France.

I cannot possibly explain all that was covered, but wanted to remember some high points.  For example, Chartres Cathedral has rose and lancet windows that are not only beautiful but let light in that is colored and ever-changing and creates an atmosphere that can be described as an image of heaven.  In Medieval times, the people were more concerned with divinity than with naturalistic portrayals....as in the classic style of the preceding period and the Renaissance, which followed.  As an example, images of Mary, mother of Jesus, are portrayed in a stylized way and looking directly at the viewer, whereas in Renaissance art she appears as a real person.  This has a lot to do with the purpose of the art. In Medieval times, it was an aid to reflection, meditation, and prayer was.

We also learned about the patterns in Celtic art, which is a Medieval Art form, and how the stylized patterns are meant to be contemplated.  Again, the viewer is directed toward a more inward thought process.

Well, I see my understanding is incomplete.  This week's lecture was on "Early Christian Art" and I hope to post about it soon.

Three Magi by Rubens

One of the special exhibits currently on display at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) is three paintings by Peter  Paul Rubens.  I had read about these paintings in the Washington Post, but forgot to look for them when I was recently at the NGA with a friend.  Earlier this week, I went downtown to go to a sketching group at the Luce Center, but there was a power outage and the museum was closed.  After checking a couple of other spots, I decided to see if the NGA was open and it was, so I looked these paintings up.  It was well worth it.

They are beautiful portraits, done about 1618, in Antwerp, Belgium.  I got more than beautiful art, though, as read the museum notes.  These paintings are an example of a specific tradition regarding the portrayal of the three wise men: Balthasar, Gaspar, and Melchoir.  They represent three ages of man (young, prime, and aged) and three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa.)  

It is interesting to know that Rubens was commissioned by Balthasar Moretus.  At the time, Moretus ran Plantin Press. which was Europe's largest printing press.  Morteus had two older brothers, named Gaspar and Melchoir.  Knowing that added another layer of meaning.

I was drawn to see these, not only because of their beauty, but because this is the first  time these three paintings have been shown together since 1881, when they were sold at auction.  The portrait of the oldest, Gaspar, belongs to the Museo de Arte de Ponce, in Puerto Rico.  The middle-aged Melchoir belongs to the National Gallery of Art and the young king Balthasar is the property of the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp.  The National Gallery of Art received the Melchoir painting in 1943 as a gift from the Chester Dale Collection on the condition that it would not travel or be displayed at other institutions.  So, this particular exhibit was rare. I may look at them again before the exhibit closes July 5.

Hiking across the bridge to Anacostia

On Saturday, March 21, I hiked with about 15 other "urban hikers" across the Eleventh St bridge to Anacostia.  I took the Metro back, but most also hiked back.

Before leaving the Capitol Hill nighborhood, we stopped by the almost constructed Mormon Meeting House.

This building is just about a block from my house, and has been under construction for some time....since before I moved to Capitol Hill actually.  As it went up, it was an ugly cement structure and I was doubtful about how it would fit into the historical neighborhood.  I now think it looks pretty good.  Putting the brick facade on and the good windows really helped.  I am still a little concerned about it because parking is a huge issue in my neighborhood.  They have an underground parking lot, but it might not be as big as what is actually needed.  Time will tell.

We then went down toward the waterfront and crossed the Anacostia River by the 11th St Bridge.  There are big plans for this area, including some parks that would be built over the river,   As of now, there are two overlooks.  We chose the first one.  The Navy Yard and the central DC area is on one side of the River.

Looking East is ourdestination, the Anacostia Historical District, which is part of D.C.

Immediately after crossing the the bridge, we were in Anacostia.  It was developed as affordable housing and gained a lot of buyers after the Civil War.  Then, during the period known as the Great Migration, many African-Americans settled there after moving from the South, and it really expanded.  Most of the housing is row houses, and I took this picture of some well-known ones, known as Rosie's Row.  

From there, we hiked up to a beautiful home that was the residence of Frederick Douglass.  We didn't go on a tour, but did stop at the Visitor's Center.

I was amused that so many people have grasped Douglass' hand on the bronze statue that it is very polished.

From there, our plan was to hike up to a viewpoint in a park, but the trail didn't look very good.  We went up about a hundred yards, but turned back.   This is how it looked at the beginning, but it petered out.

Luckily, our leader Ed knew another good viewpoint that gives a great view of the Capitol Mall.  This viewpoint is near the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.   My picture was not very good, because the day was overcast.  I pulled this better picture from the internet.

I then went to the Anacostia Metro Station to go home, and separated from the rest of the group. I didn't see the most well-known Anacostia landmark, though I had seen it before.  It is the Big Chair.  This picture was also pulled from the internet

It was a great hike, and I was glad to be out with a good group from Capitol Hill Village.

Museum Day with Suzanne

My friend Suzanne was here yesterday.  We got to know each other when I lived in Portland and we were both in Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters.  We also used to enjoy life drawing at Hip Bone Studio in Portland.  Suzanne and her husband Walter come to Washington two or three times a year and Suzanne and I always make time to go to art museums together while she is here.  Walter has sto amuse himself on that day.  

So I met Suzanne yesterday at the Freer Gallery and enjoyed some of the famous Whistler paintings that Mr. Freer had collected.   Most interesting, to me, is the Peacock Room.  You can read about it at this link:  http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/peacock/default.html

The room is dominated by Whistler's painting, "The Princess from the Land of Porcelain," shown in the above photo.  Another painting in the room depicts peacocks fighting and was done by Whistler to document a fight he had with the original owner of the room, Mr Leyland.  As the story goes, Mr. Leyland had agreed to some minor changes to be made by Whistler in the rooom.  However, Whistler ended up make dramatic, expensive changes and that caused a major conflict.  Later, Freer acquired the Princess painting and eventually bought the entire room and had it moved from London to his home in Detroit, Michigan.  When Freer died in 1919, the Peacock Room was moved to the Freer Museum.

     

Suzanne and I also enjoyed a new exhibit, "Fine Impressions: Whistler, Freer, and Venice," which is a series of etchings done by Whistler when he was in Venice.  When Freer saw them, he bought them all as a set and that is what is exhibited.  Yes, Mr Freer had money.  He made his fortune producing railway cars.  I am grateful that he was an art appreciator because these things may not have been collected and then exhibited without his devotion to art.  

We then went to the Sackler Gallery which is connected to the Freer.  We saw lots of Asian art there, including the well-loved "Monkeys Reaching for the Moon."  It is a chain of word monkey in various languages made into links that reach from the top floor to a pond at the bottom and recalls monkeys seeing a reflection of the moon in a pond and trying to reach it.   

We then had a chance to reflect on the very contemporary exhibit "Perspectives: Chiharu Shiota."  It is shoes tied with red yarn and connected at a single point.  I can't effectively describe it.  Here is a picture:

Many of the shoes have notes explaining the significance of the shoe.  It is actually quite beautiful.

We then had a nice lunch at the Pavilion Cafe in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

We were not done yet.  We went to the American Art Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.  Those two museums are also connected.  Double Double Museum Day!!!  We began on the top floor where we saw an exhibit that I believe is permanent.  It is called "Bravo," and consists of of American entertainers by American artists.  Neither of us had been there before and so it was good to see.  I After that, I wanted to show Suzanne one of my favorites.  It is a portrait of Katherine Hepburn.

We went downstairs and found a new exhibit, "The Singing and the Silence: Birds in Contemporary Art," raising issues about extinct birds and the human/avian interaction. Very interesting.  

Still not done with art viewing, we went to an exhibit of works by the photorealist artist Richard Estes.  The work is very detailed and makes you wonder why doesn't he just do a photograph. However, really looking at them makes you realize that he is painting better than the camera (and maybe the human eye) sees.  Also, he takes some artistic liberties and puts in something like mountains when none are there.  It is fascinating, but I am not sure that I "get" it.  While we were there, Walter joined us which was fun.  

We closed with a wood-fired pizza dinner at Ella's and I went home in an Uber while Suzanne and Walter walked back to their hotel.  Nice art day!!!!  And good to spend time with friends.