What type of artwork covers the inside of the Byzantine Church San Vitale?
San Vitale is one of the most important surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and mosaic work.
What does Justinian’s mosaic in San Vitale depict?
What does Justinian’s Mosaic in San Vitale depict? This mosaic thus establishes the central position of the Emperor between the power of the church and the power of the imperial administration and military. Like the Roman Emperors of the past, Justinian has religious, administrative, and military authority.
What does Theodora hold in the San Vitale mosaic?
The pinnacle of early imperial Byzantine dress is best seen in the mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora at the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy (ca. Theodora herself holds up a jeweled chalice, reaffirming her identity as the generous patron of the building.
Who are the people in Justinian’s mosaic?
Justinian and Theodora panels On the right is a mosaic depicting the East Roman Emperor Justinian I, clad in Tyrian purple with a golden halo, standing next to court officials, generals Belisarius and Narses, Bishop Maximian, palatinae guards and deacons.
What is Theodora and attendants?
One of the most studied mosaics of the Byzantine church of San Vitale in Ravenna , Italy is Empress Theodora and Her Attendants, a companion piece to Emperor Justinian and His Attendants. The mosaics were completed in 547 AD, shortly before the consecration of the church.
Who is Justinian and Theodora?
Theodora, a 6th-century Byzantine empress married to Emperor Justinian I, is remembered for being one of the most powerful women in Byzantine history. She used her power and influence to promote religious and social policies that were important to her. She was one of the first rulers to recognize the rights of women.
Where is Empress Theodora and her attendants?
Ravenna, Italy
Empress Theodora and Her Attendants, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy, c.
Did Theodora visit Ravenna?
These mosaics are political statements showing the Emperor Justinian I (the Great) and his wife Theodora as rulers of Ravenna. (Justinian never actually visited Ravenna.) Theodora was highly controversial in her time, as she was one of the most powerful women during the whole Roman era.
Who made Empress Theodora?
emperor Justinian
Theodora (/ˌθiːəˈdɔːrə/; Greek: Θεοδώρα; c. 490 – 28 June 548) was an Eastern Roman empress by marriage to emperor Justinian. She became empress upon Justinian’s accession in 527 and was one of his chief advisers, albeit from humble origins.
Who commissioned the San Vitale?
Bishop Ecclesius
The church was begun by Bishop Ecclesius in 526 under the Ostrogothic queen Amalasuntha (died 535) and was consecrated in 547. It was dedicated to the martyr Vitalis, the patron saint of Ravenna. At the time, the city was the capital of the Western Roman Empire.
What did Empress Theodora do?
Theodora is remembered as one of the first rulers to recognize the rights of women, passing strict laws to prohibit the traffic in young girls and altering the divorce laws to give greater benefits to women. She spent much of her reign trying to mitigate the laws against the miaphysites.
Where is the mosaic of Empress Theodora and her retinue?
Empress Theodora And Retinue. This Mosaic is found in the Basilica of San Vitale. It is found on the left wall of the apse and it represents Empress Theodora and her offerings to Christ. Theodora is represented as part of an Imperial court group. She is accompanied by her sisters, ladies of the court, and two men.
How is the mosaic of Theodora opposite Justinian’s?
Theodora mosaic is opposite the mosaic of Justinian, his husband. The mosaic is very glitter using specific methods. The each piece of mosaic is settled certain angle. And certain part of mosaics use gold.
What did Empress Theodora wear to the Basilica of San Vitale?
The mens cloaks are tied to the right shoulder with a brooch and decorated with a rectangular tablion. She is in the center of the mosaic wearing imperial purple. She has a halo signifying her divinity and she is set against a shell niche.
What did Theodora do for the Byzantine Empire?
Theodora and Justinian were known for ruling as intellectual and political equals, and Theodora was responsible for much of the reformation of Byzantium. In 528, construction began on the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, built as an imperial church on the outskirts of the Byzantine Empire.