ARHI 2300 1st Edition Lecture 17Outline of Last Lecture I. Test InfoII. Hagia Sophia Outline of Current Lecture I. San Vitale, Byzantine, 526 – 547 CEII. Justinian and His Retinue mosaic, from San Vitale, Byzantine, 547 CEIII. Theodora and her Court, from San Vitale, Byzantine, 547 CECurrent LectureI. San Vitale, Byzantine, 526 – 547 CEa. Built in Ravenna, Italy so Justinian can establish himself in the western empirea. He sent in the military to block off access from the rest of the Italian peninsulab. Also established a spiritual name for himselfb. It is two stories with an octagonal dome-like feature of top c. Construction was begun by Bishop Ecclesius, and completed under Bishop Maximianusa. Plain exterior, but elaborate interior d. Mosaics- a sheet of tile and a sheet of glass are broken into pieces called tesserae. Those pieces are reassembled to create an image/patterne. In the San Vitale, they took a sheet of tile, coated it with clear glass, and then applied gold leaf on top. They placed another layer of glass/colored glass on top, and then broke it into piecesThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.a. Did not set the tesserae evenly; it was set at an angle, so the light would hit itf. Ambulatory- aisle that goes around in a circle g. Presbytery/sanctuary- sometimes called the choir (area with cross). This area (and the apse) are reserved for the clergy and the emperorh. There is a major mosaic with Christ as the central figure; he has the book of the Apocalypse, and the seals are open. Suggests the end of (human) time. a. He is flanked by angels. b. He offers the martyr’s crown to Saint VitaleII. Justinian and His Retinue mosaic from San Vitale, Byzantine, 547 CEa. Justinian is the one in the middle- purple robe, important. He is the only one withthe halo (he is the vicar of Christ).i. He also gets a crown that suggests his earthly rule; combines the earth and the state.b. Very oval-shaped face, but a sense of the specific individual.i. Most faces look similar (oval, big eyes) but hairstyles are different, some have beards, etc. c. Soldiers are carrying spears (establishing a military presence)d. Justinian holds a paten- where the blessed bread was placed ine. Soldier’s shields have the chi rho (reminder of Justinian bringing Christianity to the Roman empire)f. On the right, Bishop Maximianus holds a jewel-encrusted crucifix; person next to him holds a jewel-encrusted Bibleg. 12 people (same number as the apostles)h. Bottom is green, top is gold (golden background is common in Byzantine art)III. Theodora and her Court, from San Vitale, Byzantine, 547 CEa. Presence of woman suggests that she is very importanti. Is wearing crown and has a halo b. Accompanied by two male attendants and many female attendants c. Backgrounds suggests that they are outside (she is outside the apse, but at this time women were not allowed in it) i. She would not have been allowed to hold the cup, but it suggests she is talking part in the massd. Theodora was one of Justinian’s most trusted advisorsi. Her father was a bear trainer, and she was a mime in the circus.ii. She wanted to become an actress (not respectable at the time). iii. Justinian met her at a party and fell in love with her. iv. She reformed herself after they get married. v. Justinian’s advisors told him to flee Constantinople, but Theodora said that it was better to die an emperor than die a coward. 1. Justinian listened to her and put down a rebellion.vi. She established homes for women, worked for women’s rights, became known for wisdome. The three wise men on her robe reinforce idea of wisdom, and also making offerings/sacrifices in the hope of being saved f. Justinian and Theodora never came to San Vitale, so the mosaics became their
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