Early Christian and Byzantine Art

Early Christian and Byzantine portraiture represent both a continuation and break from them past. In the past during the Roman Empire there was a lot of art but once the empire began to fall the art also stopped. Then the early Christians and the Byzantines brought back the art but in a different way. They continued the same art but they made it look different in many ways but it was also a break from the past because the art stopped but they brought it back differently. The Byzantine art showed differences between the Roman Catholic religion, which developed in the Western Roman Empire, and the Eastern Orthodox religion, which developed in the Byzantium Empire. The Byzantine art made the figures seem more flat and one dimensional and the faces had a somber look with starring eyes. They didn't attempt to make the faces seem very real. The early Christian art also didn't attempt to make everything detailed and real looking. They would make their art show more of the spiritual significance. It was to be more of an icon to visual Christian concepts then of art showing beauty.

sources:

"Byzantine Art." World History by History Link 101. Web. 12 Mar. 2010. http://www.historylink101.com/lessons/art_history_lessons/ma/byzantine_art.htm

"Early Christian - Early Christian Art." Oil Paintings Reproduction - Canvas Oil Painting Reproductions For Sale. Web. 12 Mar. 2010. http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/medieval/earlychristian.htm