Week 4: Early Christian and Byzantine

 

The Early Christian and Byzantine era was the start of the decline in Rome but the rise of Christ. During this era, Christianity took some inspiration in style from Rome including clothing, painting, sculpture, and furniture. However, Christianity inherited architectural factors between the straightforward basilica style and the luxuriant centrally planned dome. Arguments started between Clergy and Architects as to what stylistic choice is most appropriate for Christianity. But as time passed a combination of stylistic choices were made in the designs of buildings for example the Hagia Sophia combines the basilica style and the addition of domes.

Sant’ Apollinaire

Located in Classe, Ravenna the Sant’ Apollinare shows how Christian architects started using basilica form with Christian representation. The layout of this church consists of an elongated rectangle with one side of it being the entrance and the other end containing an apse. The interior consists of large columns leading up to the apse, rows of  windows, and decorative pieces of art surrounding the walls and the top of the apse. The apse was mainly used for speakers and eventually a spot for an image or sculpture of Christ.

Current Application: The Sagrada Familia

Located in Barcelona, Spain the Sagrada Familia shares many similarities with the Sant’ Apollinare.  It shares the Christian symbolism surrounding the interior, rows of windows, and columns. It's said to finish construction in 2026 more than 140 years after the start of construction.

Hagia Sophia

Created by Architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, the Hagia Sophia was like the Byzantine Empire version of the Pantheon from Greece. This building contained a large centered dome, reaching a height of 55 feet with four pillars surrounding the exterior as well as waves of domes leading up to the main central dome. The interior contained decorative art surrounding the center. This church combines a basilica style with multi dome structure. It was considered the supreme example of a Byzantine church that churches built afterward used the Hagia Sophia as a reference. The combination of stylistic choices was really interesting since it gave the architects more opportunities to be creative.

Current Application: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a great comparison to the Hagia Sophia. The structure reflects cultural influence as well as the inclusion of some dome-like areas and pillars surrounding them just like the Hagia Sophia.

Throne of Maximian

Made in 540 CE the Throne of Maximian was a carved royal seat made for archbishop Maximilian. This throne consists of panels surrounding the chair with carved drawings all around with a rounded back. Ten of those panels show scenes of the life of Joseph and the front panels show the Baptist St. John looking grand. The throne was more of an architectural piece than it was a chair since there was no headrest and the back of the chair wasn’t for leaning back. These factors made the throne a very interesting piece to look at with some historical significance but most likely a very uncomfortable throne.

Current Application: The Papal Throne

The Papal Throne was a chair used during significant ceremonies in the Vatican, Like the Throne of Maximan it emphasizes religious leadership and includes designs of historical meaning.

One Step Further

Born in 474 AD Anthemius of Tralles was a Byzantine who worked as an architect under Constantinople. Although he's most well known for his work designing the Hagia Sophia there isn’t much information on his other architectural work however his innovative use of geometry and engineering in the designing of Hagia Sophia had a lasting impact on Byzantine architecture. His use of pendentives to transition from a rectangular space allowed for the construction of large interior spaces known as domes. Many architects adopted that feature when constructing the churches and used the Hagia Sophia as a starting point for their designs.

Extra Links:

• History of the Hagia Sophia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6BAPskdJXc

• Sant’ Apollinare : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjqeiseCuY