Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
EARLY CHRISTIAN & BYZANTINE ART
HART 209
SPRING 2017
Instructor: Lana Sloutsky
Credits: 3
Location: Tower Room 201
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Thursday; Tower Room 517
Course Website: https://moodle.massart.edu/ (log in with your MassArt user ID and password)
Course electronic resource page
http://massart.libguides.com/c.php?g=514485
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course presents a succinct overview and discussion of key examples of Byzantine art and
architecture from the Early Christian period to the Fall of Constantinople. Emphasis is placed on
individual monuments, thematic trends, the formation of Byzantine art and architecture, cross-cultural
exchange, and the legacy of Byzantine art.
DEPARTMENTAL GOALS
• Recognize widely studied works of art from specific times/places
• Identify common characteristics of works of art from specific times/places
• Identify major historical and cultural characteristics of specific times/places
• Describe materials and processes used to create works of art
• Locate a variety of research resources
• Describe and differentiate works of art using appropriate vocabulary
• Infer relationships between society and art
• Situate works of art in historical context, including quotation of earlier art
• Organize information for oral and written presentation
• Articulate theoretical and critical perspectives on art
• Evaluate the content and effectiveness of textual and electronic sources
• Bring to bear various ideas, approaches, and facts on the analysis of art
• Recognize the impact of historical works of art on contemporary art
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course helps students develop writing, critical thinking, and presentation skills through readings,
discussions, and writing assignments. Students learn how to closely focus on one artwork while engaging
with wider class themes and working in groups. Students also learn to recognize widely studied works of
Byzantine art and architecture and describe the materials and processes used to create those works. An
additional goal is learning to discuss parallels between Byzantine society and its art and understanding the
impact of Byzantium on modern art and architecture.
1
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
COURSE TEXTS
Required for purchase at the MassArt bookstore or online:
Lowden, John. 1997. Early Christian & Byzantine art. London: Phaidon.
Other assigned readings will be uploaded to the Moodle course website.
Additional texts on reserve at the MassArt Library
http://reserves.flo.org/catalog/rc10524d424i7391s0
Evans, Helen C. 2004. Byzantium: faith and power (1261-1557). New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Evans, Helen C., and William D. Wixom. 1997. The glory of Byzantium: art and culture of the Middle
Byzantine era, A.D. 843-1261. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Karakatsanis, Athanasios A., and Basile Atsalos. 1997. Treasures of Mount Athos. Thessaloniki: Ministry
of Culture, Museum of Byzantine Culture.
Kazhdan, A. P. 1991. The Oxford dictionary of Byzantium. New York: Oxford University Press.
Mango, Cyril A. 1972. The art of the Byzantine Empire, 312-1453; sources and documents. Englewood
Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
Nelson, Robert S., and Kristen M. Collins. 2006. Holy image, hallowed ground: icons from Sinai. Los
Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum.
Safran, Linda. 1998. Heaven on earth: art and the Church in Byzantium. University Park, Penn:
Pennsylvania State University Press.
OTHER RESOURCES
MassArt Library
The MassArt librarians can help you find books, articles, and electronic resources for your projects. We
will have a library orientation on the second day of class.
http://inside.massart.edu/library.html
Writing Center
The Writing Center is a great resource and I strongly suggest taking advantage of it before handing in
your essays. Appointments can easily be made online through the following website:
http://inside.massart.edu/Academic_Resources/Academic_Resource_Center.html
2
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Structure: Each session is divided into a lecture and a discussion with a break in between. Handouts with
key terms and concepts are provided at the beginning of each class. These handouts are uploaded to the
Moodle site every week.
Websites: There are several websites that are relevant for our class.
• Moodle is regularly updated with messages, course material, and study guides. It is our main
course site so please check it and your MassArt email before every class.
• The electronic resource page contains many useful links for your semester-long projects.
Attendance and participation
• Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class and students are expected to attend all class
sessions. Two late (15 minute) arrivals count as one absence. Two unexcused absences may result
in course failure. Please communicate with the instructor in advance if you anticipate any
scheduling conflicts. In case of an illness or other emergency, please email the instructor about
your absence in advance.
• Participation: Every class meeting incorporates a discussion section, which counts for a
significant part of your overall grade. At the end of the semester, participation grades are assigned
based on how members of your group evaluate your level of participation.
•
The following describe the evaluation criteria used to assign your participation grade:
o Exceptional: Actively participates in all group assignments; has completed the readings for
all group meetings; provides thoughtful and constructive criticism to other group members.
o Above Average: Frequently participates and is usually prepared (but not always). Often
provides helpful comments to others group members.
o Average: Inconsistent participation and preparation; sometimes provides feedback to other
students.
o Below Average: Rarely participates; rarely prepared; rarely provides feedback to group
members.
o Not Very Helpful: Never participates; never prepared; never provides feedback to group
members.
Readings: Students are required to complete all assigned readings and arrive in class prepared to discuss
the material.
Class work: Each meeting incorporates a significant amount of group work. Details will be discussed on
the first day of class.
Missed or late work policy: Students are expected to come on time for quizzes and hand in paper copies
of all assignments at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Except in emergency situations,
missed quizzes cannot be made up. Assignments are marked down one letter grade per day late.
3
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
Quizzes: Quizzes consist of vocabulary, slide identifications, slide comparisons, and short essay questions.
Relevant terms and practice questions will be reviewed in the week before each quiz.
Essay: Guidelines for this project will be reviewed on the first day of class.
GRADING
3 Quizzes: 15% each
Essay: 20%
Group work: 20%
Attendance: 15%
4
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
MASSART GRADING CRITERIA
Grades are defined as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
Pass
NC
Inc.
Exceptional work in all respects.
Above average work, distinguished in certain but not all respects.
Average. Individual departmental policies may set standards for the application
of “C” grades toward progress in the major.
Below average work. This is the lowest passing grade; individual departments
may set standards for the application of “D” grades toward progress in the
major.
Failing work. No credit is given.
Work meeting all expectations for successful completion of the course.
No Credit Work that does not meet the expectations of the course.
Incomplete. A temporary designation indicating that at least 80% of the course
requirements have been met and that the remaining course requirements are
expected to be completed, and a permanent designation issued by the
subsequent mid-semester. The student is responsible for having an Individual
Grade Sheet completed by the appropriate faculty member and filed with the
Registrar. If the student does not complete the course work, a non-passing
grade will be issued.
Course Attendance
The college-wide policy permits no more than two absences per semester for a course that meets once a
week prorated for classes that meet on a different schedule.
Plagiarism
Whenever your work incorporates someone else’s research, images, words, or ideas, you must
properly identify the source unless you can reasonably expect knowledgeable people to recognize it.
Proper citation gives credit where it is due and enables your readers to locate sources and pursue
lines of inquiry raised by your paper. Students who do not comply will be penalized. For further
information, see the MassArt Student Handbook or consult with the Academic Resource Center.
Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Massachusetts College of Art and Design is committed to fostering the academic, personal, and
professional growth of our students. We are especially committed to ensuring that students with
documented disabilities, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008
(ADAAA), are provided equal access to all campus resources and opportunities. If you believe you have
a disability that may warrant accommodations, I urge you to contact the Academic Resource Center
(ARC) at [email protected] or 617-879-7280. The ARC is located in the Tower Building, Room 811. The
Academic Resource Center provides academic support to all matriculated MassArt students through
access to academic advisors, a learning specialist, academic coaches, professional writing and subject
tutors, and training on assistive technology.
5
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
COURSE SCHEDULE
All readings are either chapters from the Lowden textbook or will be emailed as PDF documents
Date: January 19
Topic: Introduction
***
Date: January 26
Topic: Early Christian Art & Architecture
Reading
•
Lowden, Introduction; “God and Salvation: The Formation of a Christian Art,” p. 1-60.
Thematic Question: Discuss at least two ways in which Early Christian art was both similar to and
different from the late Roman tradition.
***
Date: February 2
Topic: Understanding Byzantium
Reading
•
James, Liz. 2004. “Senses and sensibility in Byzantium". Art History. 27 (4): 523-537
•
Hinterberger, Martin. 2010. “Emotions in Byzantium,” p. 123-134.
Thematic Question: What is the main purpose of Byzantine art and architecture? How did emotions
function in Byzantium?
***
Date: February 9
Topic: Constantinople and Saint Catherine’s Monastery
Reading:
•
Lowden, “Emperors and Holy Men: Constantinople and the East,” p. 61-101.
•
Matthews, Thomas. “Early Icons of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine at Sinai,” p. 39-55.
Thematic Question: What makes the icons and manuscripts of St. Catherine’s Monastery significant?
***
February 16: No Class (TBA)
***
6
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
Date: February 23
Topic: Ravenna
Reading
•
Lowden, “Heretics and Bankers: Ravenna and the West,” p. 102-145.
•
Andreescu-Treadgold, Irina, and Warren Treadgold. 1997. "Procopius and the Imperial Panels of
S. Vitale." Art Bulletin. 79 (4): 708-723.
Thematic Question: Provide at least two ways of interpreting the Justinian and Theodora panels at the
church of S. Vitale.
Due: Topic Proposal
***
Date: March 2
Topic: Iconoclasm
Reading
•
Lowden, “Icon or Idol? The Iconoclast Controversy,” p. 145-184.
•
St. John of Damascus, In Defense of Icons from the Iconoclastic Council of 754
•
Passage from the Iconoclastic Council of 754.
Thematic Question: Give three reasons to support either the iconophile or iconocolast position.
Due: Quiz 1
***
March 9: Spring Break
***
Date: March 16
Topic: Illuminated Manuscripts
Reading
•
Lowden, “Holy Books: Illuminated Manuscripts, c. 976- c.1100,” p. 271-307.
•
Anderson, Jeffrey. “Manuscripts,” in: Glory of Byzantium, 82-88.
Thematic Question: Describe the relationship between text and image in Byzantine manuscripts?
***
Date: March 23
Topic: Sacred Spaces
Reading
•
Lowden, “Sacred Spaces: Decorated Churches c. 960 - c. 1100,” p. 227-270.
7
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
Thematic Question: What is the relationship between art and architecture in Middle Byzantium?
***
Date: March 30
Topic: Court Art
Reading
•
Lowden, “Orthodoxy and Innovation: Byzantine Art c. 860-960,” p. 185-226.
•
Henry Maguire, “The Heavenly Court,” in Henry Maguire (ed), Byzantine Court Culture from
829-1204, p. 247-259.
Thematic Question: What is the relationship between the heavenly and earthly court in Byzantine
thought?
Due: First essay draft
***
April 6: No Classes before 6 pm: MassArt Day
***
Date: April 13
Topic: The Orthodox Empire: Russia and Armenia
Reading:
•
Olenka Pevny, “Kievan Rus,” in Helen Evans and William Wixom, The Glory of Byzantium: Art
and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era, p. 281-288.
•
Helen Evans, “The Armenians,” in Helen Evans and William Wixom, The Glory of Byzantium:
Art and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era, p. 351-355.
Thematic Question: How were the medieval Russian and Armenian visual traditions both similar to and
different from that of Byzantium?
Due: Peer Review Comments
***
Date: April 20
Topic: Byzantium and the West
Reading
•
Lowden, “Art in Twelfth Century Italy,” p. 307-346.
•
Lowden, “Crisis and Continuity: The Sack of Constantinople,” p. 347-386.
Thematic Question: What art forms did Western artists adopt from Byzantium? What happened during the
Fourth Crusade? What were the short and long term consequences for Byzantium?
Due: Quiz 2
8
Byzantine Art and Architecture; Spring 2017
***
Date: April 27
Topic: Palaiologan Byzantium
Reading
•
Lowden, “Constantinople Regained and Lost, 1261-1453,” p. 387-425.
•
Lyn Rodley, “The Byzantine Context,” in: Lymberopoulvfou, Angeliki, Byzantine Art and
Renaissance Europe, p. 9-35.
Thematic Question: What kind of art and/or architecture were the Byzantines most interested in during the
Palaiologan dynasty?
***
Date: May 4
Topic: Post-1453
Reading
•
Minder, Raphael. “Spain Pays Tribute to El Greco,” New York Times, April 22, 2014
•
Diana Newall, “Candia and Post- Byzantine Icons in Late Fifteenth Century Europe,” in:
Lymberopoulou, Angeliki, Byzantine Art and Renaissance Europe, p. 101-134.
Thematic Question: What kinds of icons were produced in Candia? How were they similar to and
different from traditional Byzantine examples?
***
Date: May 11
Topic: Byzantium and Modernism
Thematic Question: What can modern artists learn from Byzantine art and architecture?
Due: Final draft of essay, presentations, Quiz 3, group evaluations
***
9