CHAPTER EIGHTBYZANTINE ART
Multiple Choice
1. Near the end of the first century, what replaced the scroll as the primary form of recording texts?
A. codex
B. manuscript
C. miniature
D. vellum
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Luxury Objects
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
2. What religious theme unites the mosaics in the Church of San Vitale (Figs. 8-5, 8-6, 8-7, 8-8, and 8-9)?
A. the martyrdom of St. Vitalis
B. the marriage sacrament of Justinian and Theodora
C. Christ’s role as King of Heaven
D. the celebration of the Eucharist
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 8.b Interpret the meaning of works of Byzantine art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
3. What pictorial element indicates an otherworldly space in Empress Theodora and her Attendants in the Church of St. Vitale (Fig. 8-9)?
A. the emphasis on illusionistic space
B. three-dimensional modeling of the figures
C. the silhouetting of the figures against a gold background
D. the open doorway to the women’s gallery
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
4. Before the iconoclasm of the eighth century, icons were accepted as
A. illustrations of key biblical events.
B. intermediaries between worshipers and holy figures.
C. didactic images that reinforced Christian moral values.
D. images to be worshiped in churches and private settings.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Byzantine art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Iconoclasm
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
5. The Archangel Michael (Fig. 8-12) is an example of carved ivory diptychs that served what function in Christian worship?
A. They were used to send messages to friends and colleagues.
B. They were portable objects of veneration, similar to painted icons.
C. They were used to record names of people who were to be remembered in prayers.
D. They were used as book covers for manuscripts.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 8.e Interpret a work of Byzantine art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Luxury Objects
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
6. The extensive use of marble, colored glass, and gold mosaics to decorate the interior of the Church of San Vitale (Fig. 8-6) had what effect on the structure?
A. It served to reinforce the underlying supports.
B. It made the structure appear to dissolve into shimmering light and color.
C. It called attention to the architectural complexity seen throughout the building.
D. It disguised structural irregularities that were originally visible inside the church.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Byzantine art.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. The use of purple vellum in the production of the Vienna Genesis (Fig. 8-13) indicates it was probably made for
A. a bishop.
B. a woman.
C. an imperial patron.
D. public display
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 8.b Interpret the meaning of works of Byzantine art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Luxury Objects
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. The nobility and suffering of the figures of the Crucifixion (Fig. 8-22) were meant to
A. provoke fear in travelers and pilgrims.
B. move monks and visitors to meditation.
C. express knowledge of Greek artistic tradition.
D. emphasize the power of the royal patron.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
9. Which medium, which the poet and philosopher Theodore Metochites was responsible for, cover(s) every inch of the funerary chapel at the church of the monastery of Christ in Chora?
A. mosaics
B. frescoes
C. tapestries
D. stonework
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Constantinople: The Chora Church
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
10. In both its subject matter and artistic style, the Paris Psalter (Fig. 8-27) reflects
A. the continuation of pagan artistic traditions in the Christian art of Constantinople.
B. the Byzantine interest in representing an otherworldly space of the mystical.
C. the preference for two-dimensional surface patterns in the Middle Byzantine period.
D. the spread of Christianity among the masses through the production of manuscripts .
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 8.e Interpret a work of Byzantine art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Precious Objects of Commemoration, Veneration, and Devotion
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
11. Architects of the Cathedral of St. Mark in Venice relied on a Greek-cross plan, marking each square unit with a separate
A. altar.
B. apse.
C. chapel.
D. dome.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
12. During the Byzantine era, to separate the congregation from the sanctuary, the celebration of the Mass took place behind a(n)
A. ciborium.
B. screen.
C. ambulatory.
D. aisle.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Byzantine art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
13. During the Late Byzantine period, the territory of the Byzantine Empire decreased to
A. small areas of the Balkans and Greece.
B. Constantinople and Russia.
C. Greece and eastern Europe.
D. Greece and Macedonia.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Late Byzantine Art
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
14. Justinian provided the monastery at St. Catherine at Mount Sinai with
A. vaults.
B. minarets.
C. fortifications.
D. a chapel.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
15. What originated in the third century, when devout Christians retired to the desert?
A. iconoclasm
B. monasticism
C. orthodoxy
D. pilgrimage
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Byzantine art, artists, and art history.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
16. Which notion was emphasized in The Transfiguration of Christ (Fig. 8-11) in the apse at St. Catherine?
A. theophany
B. parakklesion
C. anastasis
D. symbolism
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 8.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Byzantine art.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
17. Which refers to an intensified interest in the styles and themes of Classical art during the Middle Byzantine period?
A. Chora Revival
B. Palaeologue Renaissance
C. Macedonian Renaissance
D. Venetian Period
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 8.b Interpret the meaning of works of Byzantine art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Middle Byzantine Art
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
18. The inscription accompanying the image of the Virgin and Child in the Apse of Hagia Sophia (Fig. 8-16) credited emperors with
A. reviving the use of images.
B. being great patrons of the arts.
C. saving the city from its enemies.
D. following religious decrees.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 8.e Interpret a work of Byzantine art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
19. The monastery church of St. Panteleimon at Nerezi was built under the patronage of
A. Basil I.
B. Prince Vladimir.
C. Alexios Komnenos.
D. Romanos II.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
20. Which description of the image of the Lamentationwith Standing Monastic Saints Below (Fig. 8-23) at Nerezi reflects art under the Komnenians?
A. short, squatty figures
B. aloof and emotionless quality
C. flat, two-dimensionality
D. painterly spontaneity
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 8.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Byzantine art.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
21. The Lamentation with Standing Monastic Saints Below (Fig. 8-23) at Nerezi focuses on
A. the Virgin’s anguish.
B. the activities of the onlookers.
C. the background landscape.
D. the moment of the Crucifixion.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 8.b Interpret the meaning of works of Byzantine art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
22. Small, portable luxury items created in the Middle Byzantine period combine exceptional beauty and technical skill with
A. altruistic flair.
B. philosophical virtues.
C. religious meaning.
D. pagan motifs.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Precious Objects of Commemoration, Veneration, and Devotion
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
23. On the back of the central panel of the Harbaville Triptych (Fig. 8-25B), what symbolized paradise?
A. bust-length portraits of saints
B. vegetation inhabited by animals
C. the archangel Michael
D. portraits of monks
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.b Interpret the meaning of works of Byzantine art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Precious Objects of Commemoration, Veneration, and Devotion
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
24. Which work of art is related to the Harbaville Triptych (Fig. 8-25) in figure style and composition?
A. Crucifixion and Iconoclasts
B. The Hospitality of Abraham
C. Christ Pantokrator with Scenes from the Life of Christ
D. Christ Crowning Emperor Romanos II and Empress Eudokia
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 8.e Interpret a work of Byzantine art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Precious Objects of Commemoration, Veneration, and Devotion
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
25. In the Icon of Saint Michael the Archangel (Fig. 8-29) from the Middle Byzantine period, the archangel is depicted as
A. a messenger.
B. a military commander.
C. a Roman deity.
D. a disciple.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 8.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Byzantine art.
Topic: Precious Objects of Commemoration, Veneration, and Devotion
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Short Answer
1. What are the “three golden ages” of Byzantine art, and when did each occur?
Answer: The Early Byzantine period lasted from the fifth century to the eighth century. The Middle Byzantine period began in 843 and continued until 1204. The late Byzantine period lasted from 1261 to 1453.
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Early Byzantine Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. What does the term “Byzantine” mean, and what is the significance of the location?
Answer: Byzantine refers to the art and architecture of Constantinople, which is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The city was known as the “New Rome.”
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Early Byzantine Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
3. How is the main dome of Hagia Sophia (Fig. 8-4) supported?
Answer: The main dome rests on four pendentives that connect the base with supporting piers at the four corners of the area beneath it.
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. How does the dome of Hagia Sophia (Fig. 8-4) differ from the dome of the Pantheon (Figs. 6-48 and 6-49)?
Answer: The Pantheon dome contains an oculus. The Hagia Sophia dome includes squinches. The Pantheon includes a ring of masonry underneath the dome.
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Golden Age of Justinian
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
5. What were the purposes of Byzantine manuscripts?
Answer: All books were handwritten. Manuscripts took the form of Bibles, personal prayer books, and secular books. They showed wealth and status.
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Luxury Objects
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
6. What caused the iconoclasm of 726 CE, and what was the result?
Answer: Emperor Leo III imposed iconoclasm because of mounting discomfort with the place of icons in Christian devotion.
Learning Objective: 8.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Byzantine art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Iconoclasm
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. What was established by the Kievan mosaics (Fig. 8-20)?
Answer: A standard iconographical system was established in Russian Orthodox churches. It made a powerful political statement.
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. How do the mosaics in the monastery church of the Dormition at Daphni (Figs. 8-21 and 8-22) convey a mood and message?
Answer: Fewer figures with more curves and an illuminated background make the mosaics exude emotion.
Learning Objective: 8.b Interpret the meaning of works of Byzantine art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
9. What inspired the doge of Venice to commission the Cathedral of Saint Mark (Fig. 8-24)?
Answer: The doge wanted to replace the palace chapel that housed the relics of St. Mark; the relics had been brought to Venice from Alexandria.
Learning Objective: 8.c Relate Byzantine artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
10. How does math play a role in Late Byzantine works, such as The Hospitality of Abraham (Fig. 8-36)?
Answer: The circle is the basic underlying form of the composition and the artist relied on mathematical conventions to create ideal figures and symmetry.
Learning Objective: 8.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Byzantine art.
Topic: Late Byzantine Art, Icons
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Essay
1. Discuss the iconographic motifs that developed during Byzantine periods for representing events from the Life of Christ.
Answer:
1. The iconography of color and Christian narratives continued from the Early Christian period.
2. The Transfiguration of Christ became a popular theme to inspire meditation and prayer.
3. The Virgin Mary emerged as a prominent figure, and icons with the child figure of Jesus were numerous.
4. The number of figures represented in the Crucifixion, Lamentation, and other scenes put the focus on the divine.
Learning Objective: 8.b Interpret the meaning of works of Byzantine art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Early Byzantine Art; Middle Byzantine Art
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
2. Compare and contrast the image of Christ in Figure 8-11 and in Figure 8-32. What developments can be described from sixth century to the fourteenth century in Byzantine art?
Answer:
1. Both works are semicircular in the apse.
2. Anastasis is a fresco and, therefore, the colors are less brilliant than in the mosaic.
3. The Transfiguration of Christ shows the main figure as large, surrounded by a few smaller figures and with many boarder medallions.
4. In Anastasis the figure of Christ is closer in scale to the many surrounding figures. It shows some implied motion and is a clear narrative.
Learning Objective: 8.e Interpret a work of Byzantine art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Early Byzantine Art; Late Byzantine Art
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
3. Discuss the floor plan of the monastery at Hosios Loukas. What role did it play in the life of the monks?
Answer:
1. Monks lived in cells that were situated around the walls of the complex.
2. The refectory mimicked the nave of the church next to it and acted as a dining hall.
3. Warm rooms were situated along the exterior walls for writers who wrote the word of God.
4. Scenes of Christ’s life decorated the church to encourage meditation.
Learning Objective: 8.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Byzantine art.
Topic: Architecture and Wall Painting in Mosaic and Fresco
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. Compare and contrast the representation of the Virgin Mary throughout the Byzantine era.
Answer:
1. Mary became one of the most prominent figures in Christian art.
2. Mary is shown in blue, with hints of red to symbolize sacrifice, and gold, to symbolize divinity and spiritual knowledge.
3. Stock images were used to represent her facial details, including an elongated face and nose, a small mouth, and large, high-set eyes.
4. She typically sits on a throne but also physically acts as the throne of Heaven for the figure of Jesus.
Learning Objective: 8.e Interpret a work of Byzantine art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Middle Byzantine Art; Late Byzantine Art
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
5. Describe the formal and stylistic elements of David Battling Goliath (Fig. 8-1). How does this exemplify the Byzantine aesthetic?
Answer:
1. The figures on the plate show three signature scenes from David’s battle with Goliath.
2. Implied motion is seen in all three registers and the composition is crowded.
3. The proportion and scale of the figures reflects a Classical influence.
4. Goliath can be identified by iconography, such as a helmet, spear, sword, and shield.
Learning Objective: 8.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Byzantine art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
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