Study Guide and Review information: Late Antiquity and
Byzantine Art
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Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey, 532-537 (exterior)
o Architects:
o Description:
o Architectural features:
o Function & significance:
Restored cutaway view of Hagia Sophia
o Architectural features:
Plan of Hagia Sophia
o Architectural features & location on plan:
Interior of Hagia Sophia
o Description:
o Architectural features:
Illustration: Dome on pendentives and on squinches
o Notes:
San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy, 526-547 (exterior)
o Description:
o Architectural features:
o Function & significance:
Plan of San vitale, Ravenna, Italy, 526-547
o Description:
Choir and apse of San Vitale with mosaic of Christ between two angels, Saint Vitalis,
and Bishop Ecclesius, Ravenna, Italy, 526-547
o Description:
o Mosaic subjects:
o Stylistic features:
o Architectural features:
o Function & significance:
Justinian, Bishop Maximianus, and attendants, mosaic on the north wall of the apse,
San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy, ca. 547
o Description/location:
o Medium/materials:
o Size/scale:
o Subject:
o Stylistic features:
o Function & significance:
Theodora and attendants, mosaic on the south wall of the apse, San Vitale, Ravenna,
Italy, ca. 547
o Description/location:
o Medium/materials:
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o Size/scale:
o Subject:
o Stylistic features:
o Function & significance:
Saint Apollinaris amid sheep, apse mosaic, Sant’Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna, Italy,
ca. 533-549
o Description:
o Mosaic subjects:
o Stylistic features:
o Architectural features:
o Function & significance:
Saint Sophia, Kiev, begun 1037
o Description & significance:
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Select one Roman and one Byzantine painting, mosaic, or relief and
compare/contrast their subjects and pictorial illusionism.
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Select one Early Christian and one Byzantine church, and compare/contrast their
architectural features, plan, and decoration.
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Describe the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, specifically mentioning its plan and
structure, the innovation of the dome on pendentives, and the role of light in the
church.
Compare and contrast the following pairs of artworks, using the points of comparison as a
guide.
A. Virgin and Child from the Monastery of St. Catherine (Fig. 9-18); mosaic of Theodora
from San Vitale (Fig. 9-14)
 Periods:
 Medium/materials:
 Subjects:
 Stylistic features:
 Function:
Explain the formal and iconographic characteristics of Late Antique Jewish and Christian
art
Discuss the relationship of Roman and Early Christian art and architecture
Identify the sources of Late Antique Christian architecture
Describe the plan and elevation of an Early Christian church
Iconoclasm
Explain the organization, function, and ornamentation of Early Christian catacombs
Discuss the materials, techniques, and processes used to create Late Antique art and
architecture
Identify historical events and characters that exerted influence on the development of Late
Antique art and architecture
Describe the persistence of classical art in the Late Antique period
Images :
Be able to identify, describe, compare and give important facts and functions of each image
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
Christ as Good Shepherd from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia at Ravenna
Old St. Peter’s
Santa Costanza, Rome
Miracle of Loaves and Fishes