Differences in Byzantine and Islamic Art 

By: Faith Meier

     I am comparing and contrasting Byzantine and Islamic art. Islamic and Byzantine art are similar in some ways but different in many. Byzantine art is well known for their beautiful mosaics. While Islamic art is recognized for their geometric patterns. Both cultures are similar because of the colors and designs but they are different because of the focus in their artwork and what was popular.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/58.85.1

According to the Metropolitian Museum of Art the textile shown here depicts an assortment of animals. The original work consisted also of an “eight-pointed star enclosing a rosette.” Artwork like this was found throughout the byzantine and Islamic cultures. It also was made from silks from previous cultures. They have also uncovered silks like this in areas of Spain. “Other historical documents have referred to these silks.” This is just another example of the "arabesque" style used in Islamic culture.  

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.67.8

According to the Metropolitian Museum of Art  wood paintings such as this became the number 1 way of devotion to Christ. An engraving in Greek “this icon shows the Virgin presenting the Christ child Simeon for purification” A prophet named Anna is said to realize the baby’s holiness. Bright colors like this were made to show the rank of the people depicted. As you see there are lots of deep golds and blues as to make the painting more distinguishable.

Colors In Their Art

1)   Byzantine Colors

             A)   They used colors such as deep golds, blues, and greens

·      In circular paintings the colors represented the status of the person depicted

·      To make the paintings more noticeable the artists would use bright colors

2)   Islamic Colors

             A)   Some colors they used were blues, golds, and greens

3)   Islamic designs

              A)   The Islamic people were known for their abstract geometric designs

Their Focuses

1)   Byzantine Focus

           A)   Almost all of the paintings, mosaics, etc. were connected to Christ or Christianity.

·      All of their art was made to praise the Christian religion.

            B)   The Byzantine artists were masters of mosaics.

2)   Islamic Focus

            A)   The Islamic people used calligraphy as a way of painting.

            B)   The Islamic people were not allowed to depict a person or animal until much later

·      They did this to prevent the people from worshipping the painting

·      Muslims also could never depict Muhammad

(1) One way they prevented this was by showing him in a veil or glowing fire.

What was Popular

1)   What was popular in Byzantine

          A)   In Byzantine the artists were masters of mosaics and therefore used that as there number 1 artwork.

          B)   One way their art has lasted so long is because of the vibrant colors they used which was one way of symbolism

2)   What was popular in Islam

          A)   The Islamic people could not paint people or animals

          B)   Instead of people they used text or and abstract-form

·      This form was later known as “arabesque”

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"Arts of the Islamic World | The Shahnama (Book of Kings) by Firdausi (d. 1020) | F1907.279." Arts of the Islamic World | The Shahnama (Book of Kings) by Firdausi (d. 1020) | F1907.279. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." The Art of the CAbbasid Period (750–1258). N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
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