StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
A necklace with a medallion and an amulet, both from different periods in the Byzantine era, lends itself to a comparison between the two objects in question as they both accentuate and bring to life unique aspects of Byzantine art. The necklace is made of gold and intricately crafted with a twisted design…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.6% of users find it useful
Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper"

18 February 2007 Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper Necklace with Medallion and Amulet: A necklace with a medallion and an amulet, both from different periods in the Byzantine era, lends itself to a comparison between the two objects in question as they both accentuate and bring to life unique aspects of Byzantine art. The necklace is made of gold and intricately crafted with a twisted design. This unusual design gives it a delicate yet sturdy appearance. Suspended from the gold chain is a medallion, wrought in gold.

It is medium - sized and disk - shaped. This ornamental piece is likely to have been made for the purpose of personal adornment. The medallion would also have been a symbol of wealth and prestige as jewelry throughout the ages usually serves as the ultimate status symbol. It was created in the first half of the fifth century. A marriage scene is depicted on the medallion - two figures are being joined by the bonds of holy matrimony and Christ is seen blessing the sacred union, holding symbolic wreaths over their heads.

The image has been created with a decorative technique, used in metalwork known as repousse. This technique is used to form a raised pattern on a flat metallic surface by hammering on the reverse side. The amulet attached to the necklace is a pendant wrought in gold and composed of black hematite, an iron ore. It is smaller than the medallion and oval in shape. Most probably, due to remarkable properties attributed to the stone, stemming from pagan beliefs, the amulet would have served to protect the wearer from disease, injury and to ward off evil and ill luck.

It was created sometime in the second century. The pendant depicts a crude solar deity. Necklace with Medallion and Amulet: Comparison The amulet was created prior to the medallion though both are attached to the same necklace. A visual comparison on the two objects is very illuminating as they are remnants from different periods in an evolving civilization. Byzantine art served in part to propagate the newfound Christian faith of its time, as is evident in the medallion. The amulet represents the lingering traces of pagan art forms.

Therefore, the necklace itself epitomizes the curious amalgam of orthodox Christianity and pagan beliefs in works of art from this period, with its intermingling of two varied cultures. The depiction of the marriage in the medallion has a somewhat antiquated feel to it and seems far - removed from a traditional Christian wedding as we know it. The inclusion of Christ in this pagan ritual seems to have particular significance. A closer examination reveals that this particular artistic choice is most likely to have been made in keeping with the orthodox tenets of the Eastern Church.

It appears that a new faith has replaced the old and a new culture endorsed by the church was superimposed on the rapidly declining pagan way of life. In contrast, the hematite pendant is a throwback to pagan thought, beliefs and practices. The amulet has a special old world charm to it and evokes images of an ancient, forgotten civilization that has long been relegated to the dusty pages of obscure history. Its very purpose in warding off evil and bad luck rising from superstitious pagan thought would be anathema to the Christian faith.

The delicate gold work done on the perfectly symmetrical circular pendant, when juxtaposed against the black of the hematite pendant with its cruder oval shape seems to highlight how the vastly differing Classical and Christian schools of thought co - existed prior to the religious upheavals that were to follow.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1507026-byzantine-art-comparison-paper
(Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1507026-byzantine-art-comparison-paper.
“Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1507026-byzantine-art-comparison-paper.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Byzantine Art: Comparison Paper

Museum paper- analyze ,compare duccio-Madonna and child ,Filippino Lippi - Madonna and Child

His style also offers a backward look to byzantine art with its highly stylized iconic figures against a glided background, and a forward look to a more naturalistic interpretation of human relationships.... Museum paper- analyze, compare Duccio - Madonna and child, Filippino Lippi - Madonna and Child Many often in the history of mankind, the topic and theme of art remain the same whereas the historical context urging the artwork and the way of treatment of the artist alter according to various factors....
4 Pages (1000 words) Research Paper

Wars and Religion

This paper's purpose is to take a look at some of these religious struggles and discuss happened in the events and provide some feedback about them.... This paper will focus on certain wars and struggles throughout history that have had significant effects on our civilization as a whole.... There will be some key points about these conflicts that will be stressed in this paper namely; how the conflict began, who were included in the conflict, some main points about the conflict such as political effects and justifications, and finally, how it ended....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Analyzing the History of the Human Form through Art

In this essay, two pieces of art from each of the five periods of prehistoric art, Aegean art, Egyptian art, Greek art and byzantine art will be analyzed to discuss how the human form was perceived by artists in each of these eras.... Through this analysis, this purpose of this paper will show how the focus of the human figure shifted from a reproductive sense in the prehistoric era to a stronger character representation in the Byzantine era.... For example, the Lascaux Cave Paintings demonstrate how the human form was put into scale in comparison to animals that were hunted to provide food for the civilization....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

The Empire

hellip; This paper aims to enhance the characteristics and cultural significance of Byzantine Empire architecture which can be understood better by employing comparison method.... Difference and similarities among both the type of architecture will be studied in the paper.... Moreover, transition in the roman art and architecture will also be mentioned in the paper because it led its way to the Byzantine era.... For the purpose of comparison, Ajanta Caves in India have been chosen....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

How Operational Routers May Retain Functionality and How Data May Be Safely Transmitted over Them

The primary aim of the research report is the determination of how operational routers may retain functionality and, more importantly, how data may be safely transmitted over them.... Following a detailed overview of this problem, the report concludes with practical recommendations.... nbsp;… The fact is, however, that routers are vulnerable to unauthorized infiltration and can, under these circumstances, be compromised....
29 Pages (7250 words) Research Paper

The Indian Firm CMYK Health Boutiques

In this paper, a case vignette of the young Indian entrepreneur Anurag Kedia one of the co-founders of CMYK Health Boutique Private Limited, running The Four Fountains Spa is provided.... Also, the nature of marketing in entrepreneurial firms, in general, is analyzed using a literature survey....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

The Developing of European and Italian Costume In the late Middle Ages

This paper, In the late Middle Ages, European and Italian Costume Developed in Technology, deals with the dressing aspect.... hellip; According to the paper, the Middle Ages of European history happens to be the era spanning over about a millennium – the date being 5th century to 16th century.... The paper talks about the way the people showed off their wealth by means of different means.... Thus, the objective of this paper is to put emphasis on the role that technology has played in changing and developing the fashion industry for the rich and the various methods through which the elite could demonstrate their affluence....
15 Pages (3750 words) Research Paper

The Empire

This paper aims to enhance the… For the purpose of comparison, Ajanta Caves in India have been chosen.... This paper aims to enhance the characteristics and cultural significance of Byzantine Empire architecture which can be understood better by employing comparison method.... Difference and similarities among both the type of architecture will be studied in the paper.... Moreover, transition in the roman art and architecture will also be mentioned in the paper because it led its way to the Byzantine era....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us