Byzantine art combines the qualities of abstract decorative naturalism of classical art and oriental art.

Artistic styles and techniques of Byzantine art (Byzantine Art), about 5 to mid-15th century, developed in the Eastern Roman Empire. It becomes a link with the Greek and Roman classical art in Western Europe later art. Byzantine art combines the qualities of abstract decorative naturalism of classical art and oriental art. Not very clear dividing line between the early Christian art and Byzantine art. Beginning early period, became the capital of Constantinople from 330 to around 500 in the beginning, was called before the Byzantine period. In Justinian (527--65 years) reign ushered in the first golden age of Byzantine art. In the 8th century and the 9th century period of time, a debate is called the iconoclastic dispute against icon worship, many paintings and sculptures were destroyed. With the end of 843 years of the anti-idol doctrine of holy figures depict once again be encouraged. Second golden age of Byzantine art, from the 9th century until the 12th century, the imperial palace to introduce realism art, the mysticism introduce religious art. Byzantine art final glory in the mid 13-15 century palaiologos reign; it is called the Byzantine revival. In the later stages of religious art expresses more emotion and naturalism. Byzantine art medieval Byzantine Empire (centered in Constantinople) and affected all areas of architecture, painting and other visual arts. Painting and architecture have characterized the earliest form of Byzantine art in the 6th century, this style until the Turks captured Constantinople in 1453, when the collapse of the empire eventually cease. After the demise of the Eastern Roman Empire the Turks, Byzantine art continued popularity in Greece, the Balkans and Russia. Mosaics and frescoes substituted sculpture, decorative arts as the main church. Byzantine art from the fourth century to the fifteenth century Constantinople (ie the ancient Greek city of Byzantium) as the center of the Byzantine Empire (the East Roman Empire) and the Christian Church combination of official art. (5 - 15 century AD) Byzantine art features: ① Christian Art and courtly art of combining the pursuit of Wei Yan Fuli effect. ② Byzantine Empire not only inherited the ancient Greek and Roman classical cultural tradition, but also by the oriental culture. ③ in mosaics, frescoes, icon painting, art techniques: 1. Using abstract form language, inhibition of space and depth of performance, 2 uses patterned symmetrical composition, are keen to use lines and colors. Byzantine art achievements mainly in architecture, painting, sculpture (1) architecture: Byzantine architecture, the main successor Romanesque church architecture combines masonry arch technology and decoration techniques, the grand style of classical Greek and Roman architecture pillar. In the interior was colorful, rich and earthy appearance in stark contrast to the main artistic features. The first golden age of Justinian Byzantine art, early church buildings mainly follows the Pantheon-like circular dome, typical of a Byzantine church Hagia Sophia, a combination of two design shape, namely Basilica and Centralized, it has the East's most significant feature church dome, which is the subject of the entire building. Also with sail arch technology to construct large, high dome, beyond the Pantheon in Rome. Basilica emphasizes the horizontal and vertical axis of the basilica, its outstanding feeling of depth, while the dome centralized concentric stressed, in order to solve the contradiction it together, using a Greek cross, Venice's San Marco 2 Such a cruciform church is the church. (2) painting: mosaics, icon painting, mural 1. mosaics occupies a special importance in the Byzantine art. Byzantine church within a large number of glass mosaics caused a magnificent visual experience, such as the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna mosaics most famous, people appreciate the Justinian era palace art new style and jeweled effect. Emperor Justinian and their sacrifice 后西奥多拉 figure, take the plane of the painting, characters are and past Greek and Roman art of different shapes, such as: the proportion of elongated figures, emperor great tall and straight, slender fibers Queen the United States, large head, small eyes, eliminating small movements and expressions, robe hard and plate, overlapping characters went wrong, which for Greek and Roman plastic art is unthinkable, but big eyes look unpredictable, as if from a time of stagnation, space solidified eternal world, people from uncertain moment moment to get out, get peace of soul, without manufacturing three-dimensional plane of the painting, the visual illusion of space, and thus the liberation of color, composition, dotted line It uses. 2. St. Catherine's Monastery wall mosaics depicting the life of Christ, "Christ varactor" fully demonstrated the Byzantine painting emphasize planarity, composition and flexible features, although the figure does not meet the natural state action figures norm, but the entire composition balanced stable body structure looming. Although depicted the incident was not a narrative plot. Icon is to communicate with the earthly heaven bridge, this idea has led to strict stylized Byzantine painting, drawing content and even the church in different locations, there are strict criteria, it can be seen in Daphni Monastery. In Daphni Monastery church mosaics, he is no longer with the expression aloof figure painting, but the pursuit of emotional expression, the dome of Christ eyebrows stare. "The cross" is a sad affair reveals mild, truly expresses the pain of the crucifixion of Christ, the Virgin Mary, John's weeping, Style: Byzantine still using conventional pure gold background, pay attention to the elegant lines of the screen. 3. The earliest icons like Madonna and Child painting, like St. Catherine's Monastery of Christ. This icon painting is to show the religious spirit, giving the gods, super-powerful. Christians became the object of worship. Constantinople "Virgin of Vladimir" embodies a new human color, so that people appreciate the warmth and sadness Our Lady will eventually lose his son, painting Madonna and Child spread like Russia, Eastern Europe influenced iconography production. 4. As Constantinople Crusaders looted, Byzantine rebuild the empire's decline can not afford costly mosaics, frescoes again favored characteristics: large-scale murals, and there are many characters with narrative painting stressed concrete People and the entire composition of momentum, such as Cary Kemi monastery of "Christ in limbo." Byzantine painting approachable lack a sense of the Christian spirit has always been the spirit of Byzantine art.
         

Byzantine Art－Byzantine painting

Orthodox "iconography" is unique in the art of Christian worship patterns

Orthodox "iconography" is unique in the art of Christian worship patterns, and Catholic and Protestant religious art differently. It is called "visual theology." Russian medieval icon painting is synonymous with the art of the Orthodox Church norms According to tradition the church Byzantine art, in an ideal form of figures and objects appearance or to limit the icon painter painting forms and themes, and a living icon painter Convention required strict compliance with the purpose of creating.
"Iconography" emphasize the other side depicts a non-earthly world, and this side of the world is relatively secular. So whether it is painting or the artist themselves to practice requirements are strict control, because it is "like the soul", not with screen similar to the real world. as long as prayers saw his familiar objects and portraits of worship, this set of modeling, the dogma of the supernatural will come to the fore in his mind as to generate strong religious feeling in his heart. So ultra nature art standardization helps to develop a certain prayer worship habits.
Early Russian icon painter painting together under the supervision of the Greek artist, in text or illustration of the way to record the characteristics of each saint and painting, the notes by way of mentoring taught from generation to generation, and with Greece priests have brought along when entering the Russian painter indoctrinated mission, to show the magnificent Byzantine icons and composition perfect again to Justinian era statue of St. Sofia church benchmark.
However, with the decline of Byzantium, stopped on the "spiritual inspiration" and the technical guidance of Russia, appeared in Russia each draw icon nature of the convent or icon studio in the transcript as textbooks or reference books, it is well-known on the icon extension rubbing down and facsimile diagram, guides artist (monk) follows the old mode, simply scripted without tiring way to go around the church and convent observe each artist hand are equipped with a number of icon painting from wood or rubbing down the wall pictures, these extension illustrated diagram like saints calendar, in order to allow convenient copying process, there must be next to the text commentary.

Religious Icons of controversy

     Person of the dispute was not about Christ as the 681 and cease Ecumenical Council, but in the eighth, ninth century expanded in different forms. At this time the focus on the icon of worship, including observance of controversy Christ, the Virgin and other saints of the image caused by the church or private home. Iconoclast depicting God or any religious art human image was very disgusted to require removal of these icons; on the contrary, those who worship the icon strongly guard the status icons in church life. Point of conflict the two parties not only the church art of cognitive differences, but also a deeper problem: the humanity of Christ, the church's views on the matter, and the real meaning of salvation.

     Against the icon of worshipers may be affected by Judaism and Islam; It is worth noting that, on the outbreak of iconoclasm in the Byzantine Empire, the first movement of the previous three years, Islam Ye Jide successor (Caliph Yezid) ordered all territory under its icon a rate of removal. However, not only from the outside against the worship icons influence the Church has been on the existence of "Protestant" view, that would appear to be the idol of all the icons. So iconoclasm when emperors, the Church will have many supporters.

     Iconoclasm campaign Leo the Great's reign can be divided into two periods. The first period began in 1780 under Leo III called iconoclasm, until Huang Hou Yilei (Irene) presidency to stop the persecution. Seventh, and last Ecumenical Council (787) upholds the icon worship, supported the position of the first Council of Nicea, the meeting declared: As the cross and the Gospel, and other real symbol icon, should be in the Church Save veneration. The second period began in 815, Leo V, iconoclasm, until 843 years emperor (Theodora) fully restored icon of worship, from fully accredited status icons, called "Orthodoxy victory ", while Orthodox  first Sunday of Lent (also known as the" triumph Sunday is the letter ") to commemorate this event. The primary supporter of the first period for the icon of St. John of Damascus (St John of Damascus, 675-749), the second period was the bishop of San Di Tudor (St Theodore, 759-826). St. John's because they live in Muslim areas, away from the control of the Byzantine Empire, to be freer to develop their ideal; after Islam also cover the development of several unexpected protect Orthodox.

One of the major characteristics of Orthodox icons lies in a unique position. Within today's Orthodox Church is full of a lot of icons, including separate church sanctuary and nave icon screen, icon above everywhere, every corner of the church there are icons on the altar, and wall murals icons or mosaic. Laymen will bow down and kiss the icons and light candles in front of icons, the Fathers will burn incense to worship before the icon, the icon will be exalted in the other traveling team. These postures and moves in the end mean? What icons represent? Why St. John, who will be very important icon?

     We first clarify objections to the proposed icon worshipers "Idol said," followed by the positive value of icons as described doctrine taught, and finally add the importance of its doctrinal.
      (1) Idol question: kiss or bow icons do not represent idolatry. Icons are not idols, but a symbol; the veneration of icons of material objects are not made, but the depicted individuals. This is in opposition to the dispute before the icon that is the repair Presley, Andy (Leontius of Neapolis, died about 650 years) to clarify: "We do not worship wood, but the crucified Christ ... When two pieces of wood on the cross when combined together, I'll sacrifice of the cross represents Christ worship the image, if two separate wood, I will put aside it, burn "as icon is only a symbol of Orthodox believers are not to be worshiped, but to be veneration.; St. John's had to be detailed for the entity to distinguish symbolic veneration and worship of God.
     (2) Icons as part of the teachings of the faith: the icon is one of the church to teach religion tool, Li Andi had said: "As open book icon, let us think of God." Those who lack knowledge or no time to study theology just go to church, they will learn from the wall presented the Christian faith. Support icon said that if the Gentiles want you to let him see your letter, and took him to the icon in front of the church now. Thus, form part of the sacred tradition of icons.
    (3) the doctrine icon : Here we come to the main argument against icon worshipers - even if not idols, even with their teaching value, icons or even necessary? Support icon contend, icons can guard the doctrine of the incarnation. And against those who agree icons eternal qualities of God can not be manifested - "No one has ever seen God" (John / if a 18), but supports those who believe the Incarnation icon produces figurative school of religious art, God Because changes to people's styles, so be portrayed. St. John's to show that the image can show tangible entity has the body of God:
"Before God no definite shape, so completely unable to describe. But because God became flesh, and dwelt among men, so I can create the image of God to be seen. I do not worship matter but I worship the creation substances who - it came into the world because of me, humbled the body, so that I can be saved and therefore I will not stop worshiping the form that I saved. ".

     Against the icon of worshipers because of not fully take into account the significance of the Word made flesh, and refute these represent God's image. They are like many Protestants, fall into the so-called dualism, that the matter would bring tarnished believe spiritual things must be non-material, and therefore rejects any substantial form. However, this violates the spirit of the Incarnation, because of ignoring the humanity of Christ and the body, forget our flesh is like the soul needs to be redeemed and updated. Therefore, early debate against icon worship Christ Person on issues closely linked; this is not only a debate on religious art, but about the incarnation, and salvation issues and on the entire visible universe.
     Because God is visible and the body, so that the material can be saved. St. John says: "The Word became flesh so that the flesh holiness"; God sanctified matter, a "spiritual product", if the Holy Spirit became flesh medium, the wood and watercolors can also. Orthodox icons and their doctrine in fact believe in God material and spiritual creatures could potentially have been redeemed, glorified beliefs are closely related. Zenuo Wu (Nicolas Zernov, 1898-I980) The following talk about the icons of the content on the Russians, it is appropriate to all Orthodox Christians:

     [Religious Icons] for the Russian people, not only painting, but the person's spiritual power through beauty and art to redeem the dynamic behavior of creatures. Colors and lines [icon] on not to mimic nature; artists who mainly want to show human beings, animals and plants, and the whole universe from the current degraded state to be saved over, restored to its rightful "image." [Icon] is subject to the glory of creation is redeemed from the fall to ensure that ... it is not only the perfect artistic reflection trance country, but also the material back to its original beauty and harmony of concrete examples, can be used as an intermediary for the Holy Spirit. Icon is part of the transformation process of the universe.

Handmade Metal orthodox Religous silver icon of Jesus Christ

Most of the early Christian art - Art graves

Icon is a combination of three different cultures: the Greek culture, Roman culture and Christian culture. Byzantine art has gone beyond its artistic empire borders, it is especially the development of Slavic art has a profound impact.
Christian art first appeared in the catacombs, before the 6th century, the underground cemetery widely distributed this stone. Although the catacombs not belong to any particular religious group, and that the location is also around in all over, but it usually is associated with the Christian faith. The largest group in the catacombs of Rome were found. From the beginning of the 3rd century AD, Roman Christians to bury their dead outside the city walls underground cemetery, the cemetery by the different sizes of these corridors and cubicles. Some tombs decorated with drawing or engraving, marking the identity of the tomb inscriptions, while others are based on the tomb of the image "Old Testament" scene. The tombs of the image is very simple, consisting of only a few strokes rough lines and a limited set of colors. Topics include Christ holding a lamb, to escape from the burning stove in God's praise of the three young men (Daniel Doyle 3: 16-30), pull the turn if the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Eucharist, etc. . Tolerated in Christian times, the tomb decoration has become more sophisticated. In the 6th century AD, the Roman underground vault is no longer used to bury the dead.
　Tomb art is a blind nature of the art teaching. Christian was the creation of a new symbol, along with the already existing pagan symbol, used together. For example, the ship is a symbol of the church, but also a symbol of prosperity. Peacocks, pigeons, palm tree is a symbol of heaven. Magi to worship the image of Christ symbolizes the pagan converts to Christ; Christ makes cake symbolizes the number of images to share their holy body of believers;  wine symbolizes God's mysteries to be baptized. Because of the fear of persecution, Christians will use symbolic language, that is, a secret code that will not be publicly expressed ideological believers to draw out: neophyte can gradually learn the mysterious symbol of the tomb of the image. In terms of gathering where Christians have created a way to make them think of God's kingdom visual environment, in this environment, helping them to pray, while the grave is done a witness。

The early Christian catacombs of Rome.

                         

Retro style - Portrait of Byzantine icon painting

Silver Orthodox religious icons of the last supper

Half of the 16th century, some of the artists left Crete Crete, Greece, or go to the monastery around Venice, Italy, so Cretan painting style has spread. Angulos. Pichardo Man Nuosi came from Crete, southern Italy Otranto, here and his brother, also a painter Dona Santos established a studio together. He imitated Leman first etchings and creation of "shepherd of worship", depicting the Annunciation listen after several shepherds come to worship the nativity scene. Painter icon painting technique used to show the world a picture of biblical times, simple, elegant and moving.
How beautiful painter Nikos.  Los Cartier was born in Crete in Kansas, he was 20 years old when he became a famous painter and  Cretan icon painting association. He remains in the iconography of Crete during the down two: "Our Lady of the Assumption, like" and "Luke painting Madonna." These two patterned on Byzantine icon painting of the Virgin and the apostles portrait, using a typical Cretan School of painting, but also a combination of local Italian painting. In 1567, he went to Venice, Tiqiyanuo. Dimensional Leo's studio work and praised by the painter.During this period he took Italian painting methods used revivalist icon painting, created the "Magi worship" and "The Last Supper" and other works. In 1575 he came to Spain from Rome, no longer painted icons, and a local European retro style outstanding painter, but his painting mysticism benefited from the Byzantine icon language symbolism.
Mikhail big Maersk is one of North Crete most famous and accomplished painter 16th century. His icons have retained about 80. He lived in many places: Crete, Venice, Corfe islands, Pa Temo Island, Athos, Saint Catherine monastery and the like. His "Last Supper" in hydrogen Byzantine icon painting portrait painting and revivalist themes and Leonardo da Vinci paintings combine. In front of all the disciples of various shapes, similar to the revivalist's paintings. Sitting behind the Byzantine icon of Christ is "Christ Almighty," the image of a gold background, head of a halo.Who flew with two angels holding the cross, it is a symbol of Christ's crucifixion. Items on the table clearly shows, is bread and wine, the performance said, "Gospel" on the establishment of Christ's first communion scene. The performance of sacred and secular artists of both worlds with two different opposition painting.

Portrait of Byzantine icon painting of the Last Supper

Iconoclasm period of Byzantine icons

Byzantine art after a 6-7 century AD prosperity, from the beginning of the 8th century to the mid-ninth century AD, caught in a long dark age, which is dominated by the country at the time of religious and cultural life iconoclasm caused. During this period, the entire religious art suffered a disaster. Previous era of religious themes of art chant mercilessly destroyed. Frescoes and mosaics are shovel down from the wall, iconostasis were burned. Jun Fort of Our Lady of Vladimir hum all ancient iconostasis were destroyed, the chapel walls were painted new murals.

In the letter of Saint Stephen, a biography about this event wrote: "Christ, the Virgin and Saints icons chant burning and destruction: on the contrary, trees, birds, animals, and as such ferocious gallop hunting scene , theater and the racecourse and other images, were carefully preserved ... and your church into a garden aviary

It is said that the Byzantine emperor Shi Jun but  had ordered to replace the church wall murals depicting the Great Society into six portraits of Auriga their loved ones

But Christian art in this dark period has not completely disappeared, but the continued existence of the regime and the state power away from the religious places. In the monastery's remote areas (such as in Cappadocia or the Crimea), the faithful still as before in front of icons in prayer, for this is also another secret of painting icons.

Orthodox icon is a different from other art forms of religious art. Russian Orthodox theologian Bulgakov said: "Power Dekor is a special kind of church tradition, but he was not verbal and writing, but in color and image reflect Therefore, Dekor themes and methods. to follow the tradition of the Church, which determines its content, meaning and form. icons of religious works of art, rather than "art for art" works

Since the icon is not self-sufficient sense of art, but belong to the Orthodox Church theology and worship, therefore, the characteristics associated with it, the basic idea is not as an independent art form of icon art history book.

This book is a symbol of Orthodox icons in this particular form of religious history occur, theological sense, the performance of the method, the basic type and narration in major countries such as the historical development of the overall structure into three parts, the first part is about the early Christian art form, the doctrine of the Orthodox iconostasis and icons surplus establish general methods and characteristics: the second part is the age of the various types of icons are described: the third part is the Byzantine, Greek and Russian icons of art history development a brief description.

We have the power of the Savior like - Jesus Christ

"There is the power of the Savior," that with the power and glory of the image of Jesus Christ comes again, with the "Last Judgment" is directly related to the theme, because Christ is "judge the living and the dead", his trial was fair , who can not escape the judgment of Christ. The last theme was widespread in the trial of medieval art. It was generally eschatological mood sometimes make imagine on this theme from the "Bible." Icon theology believers try to turn toward the idea of "the Gospel." So what is the final judgment of God?Jesus Christ himself said: "I tried to come up dead, who do not see, you can see, can see become blind"; added:. "If anyone hears my words do not keep them, I do not judge him I .. the people are not to judge the world, but to save the world rejects me, and receiveth not my words, do not judge him, whom I have spoken will judge him in the last day, "Jesus quoted favorite disciple John said: "The Trial in this; the light came on in the world, and the world but love darkness because their behavior is evil."Thus, by road and the light of God to judge anlw.i is terrible punishment but loving rescue. In the "powerful Savior" These icons come in, take the hands of Jesus Christ by the book open on the page, usually says "Matthew" in the sentence: "Where people are weary and burdened, can come to me, I will give you rest "as the apostle James said:." mercy than judgment "is sometimes written on this text to open the page:." I am the light of the world "," not according to appearance, but judge right and wrong, always righteous judgment. "
"There is the power of the Savior like" hide many different "Bible" theology memories and associations, making it the connotation of the richest and most profound type of icon painting.You can say it is a symbolic language written with paintings and theological writings. So the Russian Orthodox Church in the painting not only the core iconostasis, and is the center of the church.

the power of the Savior like - Jesus Christ