Byzantine art covers an enormous period of time, considering that it refers to the entire Byzantine Empire, which stretched from the 4th century to the 15th century. Even when the Byzantine Empire - also Byzantium, or Eastern Roman Empire - ended with the fall of Constantinople (1453), the art remained alive. There are predominantly religious themes in Byzantine art, promoted by the Church, which had great influence in society. Frescoes and panel paintings played a leading role and the icon is considered a symbol of that era. Even today they are an indispensable part of processions. The art and holy pictures developed from the late antique figurative painting with its pictures of the dead, gods and emperors. Antiquity was also the inspiration for many other art forms. Therefore, the transitions are fluid between the art of antiquity and Byzantine art, which adopted many elements such as columns, ancient staircases or equestrian statues.
The Byzantine mosaics achieved world fame. This is also an art that originated from the Romans. But while these worked with little stones, glass and ceramics, the Byzantines refined their mosaics lavishly with gold leaf and precious stones. The most important mosaics were created in Ravenna. A shining example is the church of San Vitale from the late antique-early Byzantine period. The brick facade of the church is almost completely covered with glittering gold mosaics, meant to symbolize infinity. The interior also shows rich mosaic decoration on the floor and walls with floral and ornamental patterns. Here, the mosaics are in warm earth tones. High-quality ivory carvings were also made in Ravenna. Arts and crafts also played an important role in this era. In addition to silver and goldsmith work, enamel and glass work, brocade and silk fabrics with oriental patterns were produced. Book illumination and book illustrations were also part of it. Sculpture was treated somewhat stepmotherly, as sculptors usually had to be content with reliefs, as sculptures were considered "pagan".
Of course, Byzantine art had a great influence on European art and church architecture, on panel painting in Italy or the depictions of the Virgin Mary in the late Gothic period. Especially in Italy, Byzantine elements were present in all art movements, from Romanesque to Gothic and Renaissance. Venice, as a former colony, was particularly under Byzantine artistic influence. And after the conquest of Constantinople (1204) by Venetian crusaders, numerous art treasures came to the lagoon city. Among them, the quadriga from the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which today looks down from St. Mark's Basilica.
This monumental artistic epoch also left its mark in northern Europe. For example, in Charlemagne's Aachen Cathedral or the Romanesque church buildings in Cologne. In the Romantic period of the 19th century, Byzantine art experienced a rebirth. Probably the most famous example of neo-Byzantine architecture is the basilica Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. During the reign of Louis I, numerous buildings were built with Byzantine stylistic devices such as mosaics, barrel vaults and capitals. A huge mosaic is embedded in the floor of the throne room of Neuschwanstein Castle.
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-519816).jpg "Christ Pantocrator by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Emperor Justinian I and His Retinue of Officials, Guards and Clergy, c.547 AD by Byzantine School")
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 c547 AD (mosaic) (detail of 83451) - (MeisterDrucke-42839).jpg "Emperor Justinian I (detail) by Byzantine School")
 c547 AD (mosaic) (detail of 83451) - (MeisterDrucke-42839).jpg)
.jpg "Guerison of the Paralytic, Church of St. Apollinar the Nine of Ravenna, mural mosaic, Italy, 6th century by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-76145).jpg "The Parable of the Good Shepherd Separating the Sheep from the Goats, Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Empress Theodora with Her Court of Two Ministers and Seven Women, c.547 AD by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Greek Fire, from the Madrid Skylitzes by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-65729).jpg "Jesus healing a leper by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-439420).jpg "Crux Gemmata by Byzantine School")
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 c547 AD (mosaic) (detail of 140283) - (MeisterDrucke-93879).jpg "Emperor Justinian I (483-565) c.547 AD (mosaic) (detail) by Byzantine School")
 c547 AD (mosaic) (detail of 140283) - (MeisterDrucke-93879).jpg)
.jpg "The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Empress Theodora with Her Court (detail) by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-108210).jpg "The Paralytic of Capharnaum is Lowered from the Roof, Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663163).jpg "Jesus (detail from The Raising of Lazarus) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Jesus before Pilate, Judas returning the thirty pieces of silver, Hanging of Judas, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The City of Jerusalem and the surrounding area, detail from the Madaba mosaic map, Byzantine, 6th century by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Plaques from a wooden chest depicting Jesus Christ between two scenes with Adam by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Jesus driving the merchants from the Temple, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663178).jpg "Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The Poor Widow Before the Collection Box (detail from The Offering of the Poor Widow) by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-95612).jpg "The Raising of Lazarus, Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Three Members of the Sanhedrin (detail of Jesus Before Caiaphas) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Emperor Michael I Rangabes Crowned by Nicephorus in 811 by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Pilgrim")
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.jpg "Christ among the doctors, folio from the Rabula Gospels, 586 AD by Byzantine School")
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_(see_also_86282_250599)_-_(MeisterDrucke-429713).jpg "Bethlehem (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Umbraculum, Part of the Papal Regalia, in Form of a Shell with Doves as a Sign of Peace by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Jesus and the Multiplication of the Bread, an Apostle, and a Man with Bread Baskets by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-66944).jpg "The Flood, from the Atrium (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Panel from the Diptych of Consul Areobindus, Constantinople, 506 AD by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Byzantine art: oldest map of Palestine. Detail representing the city of Jericho by Byzantine School")
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 (detail of 58071) - (MeisterDrucke-79831).jpg "Procession of the Martyrs (detail) by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-37501).jpg "The Last Supper by Byzantine School")
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_545-565_(gold)_(see_CVL_499738_for_obverse)_-_(MeisterDrucke-916857).jpg "Solidus of Justinian I (reverse) by Byzantine School")
_545-565_(gold)_(see_CVL_499738_for_obverse)_-_(MeisterDrucke-916857).jpg)
_Oeuvre_dun_maitre_byzantin_mosaique_de_-_(MeisterDrucke-1325478).jpg "The Prophet Zechariah by Byzantine School")
_Oeuvre_dun_maitre_byzantin_mosaique_de_-_(MeisterDrucke-1325478).jpg)
.jpg "Christ Pantocrator and the Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Apostles, from the Central Apse by Byzantine School")
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_(mosaic)_-_(MeisterDrucke-35073).jpg "St. Pachomius (mosaic) by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-911752).jpg "Pendant Cross, 500s by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663168).jpg "The Offering of the Poor Widow by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The communion of six apostles, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Moses on Mount Sinai, Figure Above the Lunette Depicting the Hospitality of Abraham and the Sacrifice of Isaac, 6th Century (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Byzantine Art: Binding of Missal Decorated with the Representation of the Archangel Saint Michael - Golden Leaves and Enamels by Byzantine School")
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_Oeuvre_dun_maitre_byzantin_mosaique_detail_du_-_(MeisterDrucke-1320477).jpg "King David (10th Century BC) (detail) by Byzantine School")
_Oeuvre_dun_maitre_byzantin_mosaique_detail_du_-_(MeisterDrucke-1320477).jpg)
_Gives_Audien_-_(MeisterDrucke-417056).jpg "The Byzantine Emperor Romanus III Argyrus (c.968-1034) Gives Audience to Emir Ben Zarah, from the Madrid Skylitzes by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Jesus and the Multiplication of Bread and Fish, Four Apostles by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Roman Soldiers with Torches (Detail of \"Jesus Arrested by Roman Soldiers\") by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The City of Jerusalem and the Surrounding Area, Detail from the Madaba Mosaic Map by Byzantine School")
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 (detail of 322564) - (MeisterDrucke-94829).jpg "Two Magi (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Jesus on the Mount of Olives, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The Raising of Lazarus, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-911211).jpg "A Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp and Stand, c.5th-6th Century AD by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1664735).jpg "The Fish and Apostles (Detail from \"The Last Supper\") by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663151).jpg "Jesus Cures a Person Suffering from Palsy by Byzantine School")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663151).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-54227).jpg "The Baptism of St. Paul by Ananias, from Scenes from the Life of St. Paul by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The Rooster and Saint Peter Denying (Detail from \"Saint Peter")
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.jpg "Exterior view of the cupola, 532-37 by Byzantine School")
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_carved_in_Constantinople_Theodosian_Sty_-_(MeisterDrucke-423114).jpg "Consular Diptych of Anastasius (491-518) Carved in Constantinople, Theodosian Style, 517 AD by Byzantine School")
_carved_in_Constantinople_Theodosian_Sty_-_(MeisterDrucke-423114).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663172).jpg "The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead, Jesus and an Apostle by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Detail of Map Depicting the Northern Negev to the Mediterranean Sea and the City of Gaza, Madaba, Jordan by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-74436).jpg "Baptism of Christ Surrounded by the Twelve Apostles Bearing Crowns (mosaic) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Byzantine art: oldest map of Palestine. Detail depicting the city of Bethlehem by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "St. Andrew and St. Peter Responding to the Call of Jesus, from the Main Nave by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-99251).jpg "A soldier with a sword by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Resurrection of Lazarus (mural mosaic at the church of Saint Apollinar, Ravenna) by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663175).jpg "The Gadarene Swine or the Exorcism of a Legion of Demons by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The Doorkeeper Recognizes Saint Peter (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The communion of six apostles, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663156).jpg "A Prophet with Halo and a Scroll by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The Wise and Foolish Virgins, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Relief carving of an Empress, c.500 AD by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-38196).jpg "The Flood, from the Atrium (detail) by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-38422).jpg "Jesus and St. Peter (detail) by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-105114).jpg "The Incredulity of St. Thomas, from Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-81929).jpg "Jesus Cures the Woman who Bleeds, Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
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 (detail of 58071) - (MeisterDrucke-61687).jpg "Procession of the Martyrs (detail) by Byzantine School")
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_from_Chapter_II_-_(MeisterDrucke-1423647).jpg "Predictions About the Emperor Michael II from Chapter III of the Madrid Skylitzes by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Rebecca and Eliezer at the well, from the Vienna Genesis by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Portrait of Apollinaris of Ravenna first bishop of Ravenna and Classe (detail) by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663184).jpg "Christ Surrounded by Apostles; He is Seized by Roman Soldiers by Byzantine School")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1663184).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-84811).jpg "The Flood, from the Atrium, (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Ivory Box with Scenes of Adam and Eve, 1000-1100s by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-84006).jpg "Four angels with the symbols of the evangelists surrounding the chi-rho monogram of Christ, from the vault of the Chapel of the Archdiocese by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The multiplication of bread and fish (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Pendant with Portrait Intaglio, 500s by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1080774).jpg "King William II of Sicily offers the Church of Monreale to the Virgin by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "The Healing of the Paralytic of Capernaum, Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Ravenna, Basilica of San Vitale, Absidial Basin Mosaic by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-74654).jpg "The Flood, from the Atrium (detail) by Byzantine School")
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_(deta_-_(MeisterDrucke-434688).jpg "Fabric Depicting a Simurgh in a Beaded Surround, from Constantinople (detail) by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Byzantine art: oldest map of Palestine. Detail representing Jerusalem. Mosaic of the 6th century. Madaba, Church of St. George by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1318742).jpg "The Prophet Isaiah (detail) by Byzantine School")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1318742).jpg)
_is_Told_abou_-_(MeisterDrucke-417054).jpg "Ambassador from Kiev Sent by King Vladimir (978-1015) is Told about Christianity by a Byzantine Bishop, from the Madrid Skylitzes by Byzantine School")
_is_Told_abou_-_(MeisterDrucke-417054).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-69689).jpg "Ecclesio, a Bishop of Ravenna by Byzantine School")
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_(see_also_151555)_-_(MeisterDrucke-35399).jpg "St. Peter, from the Crypt of St. Peter (detail) by Byzantine School")
_(see_also_151555)_-_(MeisterDrucke-35399).jpg)
.jpg "The Good Samaritan, from the Codex Purpureus by Byzantine School")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-98702).jpg "Jesus before Caiphus, Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
 - (MeisterDrucke-98702).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-87729).jpg "St. Mark the Evangelist by Byzantine School")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-916846).jpg "Chain with Pendant Cross, 500s by Byzantine School")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-916846).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-65814).jpg "The Kiss of Judas, Scenes from the Life of Christ by Byzantine School")
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.jpg "Detail from the Miniature from the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, Greek Evangelists in Miniature Probably from Antioch of Syria or of Cesarea Palestina and Kept in the Diocesan Museum of Rossano by Byzantine School")
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