The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Art and Architecture

The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Art and Architecture provides a comprehensive overview of Byzantine art and architecture, highlighting its richness and diversity and establishing it as a distinct field worthy of serious inquiry. The handbook explores the artistic creation of the Eastern Mediterranean world, including the Balkans, Russia, the Near East, and North Africa, between 330 and 1453, with a focus on its religious and royal or domestic purposes. It combines older object-based considerations with newer methodologies from sociology, semiotics, anthropology, archaeology, reception theory, and deconstruction theory to offer an up-to-date synthesis of scholarship on the subject.

Format: Hardback
Length: 608 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Byzantine art has been a relatively overlooked field, often considered an adjunct to the arts of the medieval West, if at all. In showcasing the richness and diversity of art in the Byzantine world, this handbook aims to establish the subject as a distinct field worthy of serious inquiry. Essays in this volume explore Byzantine art as art produced in the eastern Mediterranean region, encompassing the Balkans, Russia, the Near East, and North Africa, between the years 330 and 1453. A significant portion of this art was created for religious purposes, designed to enhance and beautify the Orthodox liturgy and worship spaces, as well as serve in royal or domestic contexts. Discussions within this volume will consider both aspects of this artistic creation, spanning a wide geographical range and a long historical period. The volume combines older, object-based considerations of themes and monuments, which form the backbone of art history, with considerations drawn from a diverse range of methodologies, including sociology, semiotics, anthropology, archaeology, reception theory, deconstruction theory, and more, in an up-to-date synthesis of scholarship on Byzantine art and architecture.

The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Art and Architecture serves as a comprehensive overview of a particularly rich field of study, providing a window into the world of this fascinating and beautiful period of art. It delves into various aspects of Byzantine art, including its historical context, artistic styles, and cultural significance. The handbook is organized into chapters, each dedicated to a specific topic, such as the origins and development of Byzantine art, the different artistic mediums employed, and the major artistic themes and motifs.

One of the key strengths of this handbook is its multidisciplinary approach. It brings together scholars from various fields, including art history, archaeology, religious studies, and cultural anthropology, to provide a comprehensive understanding of Byzantine art. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a richer analysis of the complex and multifaceted nature of Byzantine art, as it considers not only the visual aspects but also the social, cultural, and religious contexts in which it was produced.

The essays in the handbook cover a wide range of geographical regions and periods, from the early Byzantine Empire to the late Byzantine period. Each essay provides a detailed examination of the artistic developments and trends in a particular region or period, highlighting the unique characteristics and influences of Byzantine art in that context. The authors employ a variety of methodologies, including visual analysis, historical research, and cultural theory, to explore the rich tapestry of Byzantine art.

One of the notable features of Byzantine art is its emphasis on religious symbolism and iconography. The icons, paintings, and sculptures created during this period were believed to have the power to communicate with the divine and to protect and guide the faithful. Byzantine artists were skilled in depicting religious figures, scenes, and symbols in a way that was both realistic and stylized, often using a combination of naturalistic and abstract elements.

Another important aspect of Byzantine art is its use of color and light. The artists of this period were particularly skilled in using color to create a sense of depth and dimension in their works, often using a limited palette of bright and bold colors. Light was also used to create a sense of spirituality and transcendence in Byzantine art, with the use of candles and lamps to illuminate the figures and scenes depicted.

Byzantine art also had a strong influence on the development of Western art. Many of the artistic techniques and themes developed in the Byzantine world were later adopted by Western artists, particularly during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The use of perspective, the use of light and shadow, and the emphasis on religious symbolism and iconography are all examples of Byzantine influences that can be seen in Western art.

In conclusion, the Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Art and Architecture is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the rich and diverse world of Byzantine art. It provides a comprehensive overview of the field, combining object-based analysis with interdisciplinary approaches to provide a deeper understanding of Byzantine art's historical, cultural, and artistic significance. The essays in the handbook cover a wide range of topics and regions, offering a wealth of information and insights into this fascinating and beautiful period of art.

Dimension: 248 x 171 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190277352