Byzantine USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Art Terms [1]

Byzantine Byzantine refers to the art, architecture, and culture associated with the Byzantine Empire, which flourished from the 4th century AD until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Characterized by its blend of Greco-Roman, Christian, and Eastern influences, Byzantine art and architecture are known for their opulent ornamentation, intricate mosaics, and religious iconography, reflecting the empire's status as a center of Christian faith and imperial power in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Byzantine artists and craftsmen produced a rich legacy of illuminated manuscripts, frescoes, religious icons, and monumental structures such as Hagia Sophia and the Church of San Vitale, which exemplify the fusion of classical motifs with symbolic and spiritual themes. Byzantine art exerted a profound influence on subsequent artistic traditions in the Eastern Orthodox world, as well as in medieval Europe and the Islamic world, shaping the development of religious iconography, decorative arts, and architectural design for centuries to come.