Early Christian, Byzantine, and Early Medieval Architecture - AP Art History
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Depictions of Christ as the Pantocrator are most common in which period of art?
Depictions of Christ as the Pantocrator are most common in which period of art?
Throughout the history of Christian art, Jesus Christ has been depicted in a variety of roles. During the Byzantine era, depictions of Christ as the Pantocrator, or "ruler of the world," were common. Images of the Pantocrator appear at the top or center of Byzantine hierarchical compositions, and are often flanked by angels.
Throughout the history of Christian art, Jesus Christ has been depicted in a variety of roles. During the Byzantine era, depictions of Christ as the Pantocrator, or "ruler of the world," were common. Images of the Pantocrator appear at the top or center of Byzantine hierarchical compositions, and are often flanked by angels.
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The building was originally a .
The building was originally a .
The Hagia Sophia was originally built as an early Greek Orthodox church. It is difficult to consider the architecture as of a particular time period or style as it has been changed and influenced so many times. There are, however clear remnants of Greek Classical style as well as the early hints of what will become the Romanesque church style.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
The Hagia Sophia was originally built as an early Greek Orthodox church. It is difficult to consider the architecture as of a particular time period or style as it has been changed and influenced so many times. There are, however clear remnants of Greek Classical style as well as the early hints of what will become the Romanesque church style.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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This building does NOT have a(n) .
This building does NOT have a(n) .
The church is a combination of central and Basilica plan. It has all of the standard additions of those styles, including the nave and apse, as almost every church of this type does. The narthex is identified as the porch-like addition opposite the apse. This church does not have an atrium, however, which would look like a long open plan that sits before the church door.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
The church is a combination of central and Basilica plan. It has all of the standard additions of those styles, including the nave and apse, as almost every church of this type does. The narthex is identified as the porch-like addition opposite the apse. This church does not have an atrium, however, which would look like a long open plan that sits before the church door.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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The plan of this building is .
The plan of this building is .
The Hagia Sophia has all the standard additions of the Basilica-plan church, including the apse opposite the door, a nave in the center, and aisles on each side. It lacks the cross-like arms of later Basilica churches. It also has a domed top and a square-ish base, which are both central-plan additions. It is unique in this way among its contemporaries.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
The Hagia Sophia has all the standard additions of the Basilica-plan church, including the apse opposite the door, a nave in the center, and aisles on each side. It lacks the cross-like arms of later Basilica churches. It also has a domed top and a square-ish base, which are both central-plan additions. It is unique in this way among its contemporaries.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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Construction of the building in its current form began in .
Construction of the building in its current form began in .
The current layout of the Hagia Sophia was begun by Justinian II in 532. It was ordered after his predecessors tried and failed to build a monumental building in that area. As Justinian was largely regarded as the first Byzantine emperor, the Hagia Sophia became a seminal work for Byzantine and later Eastern Orthodoxy churches.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
The current layout of the Hagia Sophia was begun by Justinian II in 532. It was ordered after his predecessors tried and failed to build a monumental building in that area. As Justinian was largely regarded as the first Byzantine emperor, the Hagia Sophia became a seminal work for Byzantine and later Eastern Orthodoxy churches.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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The architect of the building was .
The architect of the building was .
Isidore of Miletus, along with his companion the mathematician Anthemius of Tralles, was commissioned by Justinian I to create the Hagia Sophia. Anthemius died shortly before construction could begin, so Isidore continued alone. He was considered the father of the current structure, minus the Islamic artistic additions.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
Isidore of Miletus, along with his companion the mathematician Anthemius of Tralles, was commissioned by Justinian I to create the Hagia Sophia. Anthemius died shortly before construction could begin, so Isidore continued alone. He was considered the father of the current structure, minus the Islamic artistic additions.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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The tall, thin towers are called .
The tall, thin towers are called .
The towers are called minarets. They are an Islamic addition to the church, added when it became a mosque in the fifteenth century after the Turks sacked Constantinople. These towers are not universal, but are common in Islamic mosque architecture.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
The towers are called minarets. They are an Islamic addition to the church, added when it became a mosque in the fifteenth century after the Turks sacked Constantinople. These towers are not universal, but are common in Islamic mosque architecture.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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The interior of the building is likely decorated with .
The interior of the building is likely decorated with .
The Hagia Sophia was built just after the birth of the Roman Christian tradition, and came well before the advent of Renaissance oil paintings in churches. It was also built in the Middle East, and was influenced by the artistic traditions of the area. It therefore likely has mosaics on the inside, which are the cornerstone of Byzantine church art.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
The Hagia Sophia was built just after the birth of the Roman Christian tradition, and came well before the advent of Renaissance oil paintings in churches. It was also built in the Middle East, and was influenced by the artistic traditions of the area. It therefore likely has mosaics on the inside, which are the cornerstone of Byzantine church art.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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Why would the Islamic Turks cover the mosaics on the interior of this structure with plaster?
Why would the Islamic Turks cover the mosaics on the interior of this structure with plaster?
Islamic tradition bans the depiction of figures as inspiring idolatry; works depicting figures would be considered sacrilegious. When the church became a mosque, the mosaics were plastered over so that there were no faces in the new mosque, and there would only be Arabic script as decoration.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
Islamic tradition bans the depiction of figures as inspiring idolatry; works depicting figures would be considered sacrilegious. When the church became a mosque, the mosaics were plastered over so that there were no faces in the new mosque, and there would only be Arabic script as decoration.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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In the long history of the building, what has consistently been a concern of architects?
In the long history of the building, what has consistently been a concern of architects?
All of these are problems that have concerned and maddened builders since the construction of the building began, and all the problems are related to one other. The dome is very heavy, and when it's sitting on the foundation, it pushes the buttressing outward. The dome is so heavy in part because the brick to mortar ratio is 1:1, making the dense and heavy mortar far more weighty than it should be.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
All of these are problems that have concerned and maddened builders since the construction of the building began, and all the problems are related to one other. The dome is very heavy, and when it's sitting on the foundation, it pushes the buttressing outward. The dome is so heavy in part because the brick to mortar ratio is 1:1, making the dense and heavy mortar far more weighty than it should be.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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The structure reveals the influence of all but which of the following?
The structure reveals the influence of all but which of the following?
The Hagia Sophia has been a Greek Orthodoxy church, a Roman Catholic Cathedral, a Mosque, and a museum. In fifteen hundred years of history, the building has seen influence from all over Europe. The minarets are Islamic, the mosaics on the interior are Byzantine, and the plan is Basilica, based on the Roman civic structures. What is has not ever seen the influence of, however, is the Church of England, which came about after the Hagia Sophia had already become a mosque.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
The Hagia Sophia has been a Greek Orthodoxy church, a Roman Catholic Cathedral, a Mosque, and a museum. In fifteen hundred years of history, the building has seen influence from all over Europe. The minarets are Islamic, the mosaics on the interior are Byzantine, and the plan is Basilica, based on the Roman civic structures. What is has not ever seen the influence of, however, is the Church of England, which came about after the Hagia Sophia had already become a mosque.
Image adapted from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=hagia+sophia+5.
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The deep-carved stone decorating the pillars and other structural surfaces of the Hagia Sophia, combined with the close spacing of the windows at the base of the dome, suggest what about the building?
The deep-carved stone decorating the pillars and other structural surfaces of the Hagia Sophia, combined with the close spacing of the windows at the base of the dome, suggest what about the building?
The deep carving on the Hagia Sophia's pillars and in other decoration makes them appear hollow and too delicate to support the cathedral's weight. The close-set windows lining its golden dome's base create the illusion that the dome is floating. Together they suggest that the whole building is supported by some divine power rather than by its own structure.
The deep carving on the Hagia Sophia's pillars and in other decoration makes them appear hollow and too delicate to support the cathedral's weight. The close-set windows lining its golden dome's base create the illusion that the dome is floating. Together they suggest that the whole building is supported by some divine power rather than by its own structure.
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What is a finial?
What is a finial?
A finial is a crowning ornament on a pinnacle, tower, or roof of a building.
A finial is a crowning ornament on a pinnacle, tower, or roof of a building.
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What is a pietá?
What is a pietá?
A pieta is a carved or painted artistic depiction of Mary holding her son Jesus in her arms after his crucifixion. When this depiction includes other people in the scene, it is referred to as the Lamentation.
A pieta is a carved or painted artistic depiction of Mary holding her son Jesus in her arms after his crucifixion. When this depiction includes other people in the scene, it is referred to as the Lamentation.
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The dome of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, built in 537 CE, was the first dome to be built using fully-developed .
The dome of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, built in 537 CE, was the first dome to be built using fully-developed .
Upon its completion, the Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world, and also contained the largest dome in the world. This dome was achieved through the use of fully-developed "pendentives," triangular elements of a sphere used as structural supports to allow a dome to be raised over a square room. The Hagia Sophia's architectural innovations were widely copied in Orthodox churches and Muslim mosques in successive centuries.
Upon its completion, the Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world, and also contained the largest dome in the world. This dome was achieved through the use of fully-developed "pendentives," triangular elements of a sphere used as structural supports to allow a dome to be raised over a square room. The Hagia Sophia's architectural innovations were widely copied in Orthodox churches and Muslim mosques in successive centuries.
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What is a tribune?
What is a tribune?
Tribunes are galleries above the inner aisle that open down into the nave. These housed overflow crowds in Medieval churches, such as San Clemente in Rome.
Tribunes are galleries above the inner aisle that open down into the nave. These housed overflow crowds in Medieval churches, such as San Clemente in Rome.
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What type of vaulting has has six sections?
What type of vaulting has has six sections?
In sexpartite rib vaulting, each vault is divided into six sections by three ribs.
In sexpartite rib vaulting, each vault is divided into six sections by three ribs.
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What is the drum of a building?
What is the drum of a building?
The drum of a building is the circular wall that supports a dome.
The drum of a building is the circular wall that supports a dome.
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In a mosque, such as the mosque built in Cordoba by Islamic Umayyad royalty exiled from Damascus, the mihrab is .
In a mosque, such as the mosque built in Cordoba by Islamic Umayyad royalty exiled from Damascus, the mihrab is .
The mihrab is a prayer niche set in the qibla wall of a mosque, or the wall facing Mecca. It indicates in which direction the congregation must pray.
The mihrab is a prayer niche set in the qibla wall of a mosque, or the wall facing Mecca. It indicates in which direction the congregation must pray.
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A(n) is a processional walkway around the apse in a basilica church, or the central space in a centrally-planned church.
A(n) is a processional walkway around the apse in a basilica church, or the central space in a centrally-planned church.
The processional walkway around the apse of a basilica church is called an ambulatory. It is a continuation of the aisles that run alongside the central space of the nave. Often individual shrines or altars for saints were set up along the ambulatory behind the main altar.
The processional walkway around the apse of a basilica church is called an ambulatory. It is a continuation of the aisles that run alongside the central space of the nave. Often individual shrines or altars for saints were set up along the ambulatory behind the main altar.
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