Byzantine Art

by Charles Bayet

The magnificence of this cultures palaces, churches, paintings, enamels, ceramics, and mosaics are fully represented in the book, inviting the reader on a great journey through the ages. The extraordinary power of this tradition guaranteed its survival long after the dissolution of the empire that gave it life, and the art left behind by this civilisation never stops beckoning to us.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, History

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Castles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introduction to Byzantine art and I’ve found it especially interesting since my interest in renaissance art.

As a renaissance art enthusiast, I admit, one often falls prey to the concept of the “dark age”/“medieval”, canceling that period as artistically unimportant (with the help and encouragement from Vasari). but more and more we see new studies about how that concept is totally wrong and how the Byzantine art has its start, middle, and an end like all art movements. Artistically speaking, it also has its delicacy, expressionism, and mannerism that sometimes even looks like an early 20th work.

So the shift from Byzantine art to the renaissance should not be considered as a 360-degree shift, but a slow change of style throughout the times. That’s the point of this book, and it’s refreshing, while also helps to keep the historical timeline in perspective.

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

More a description of individual works than a treatment of Byzantine art overall.

[Lily]

Wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but still useful. I particularly like that they included a timeline at the back.