U.C. Berkeley History of Art

Histart 190C

MEDIEVAL ART (4) THE ART OF THE BYZANTIUM (4 units)

The Western Roman empire fell in 476, but the Eastern Roman Empire, a state we now call Byzantium, outlasted it by a thousand years. Byzantium's capital, Constantinople, called the queen of cities, dazzled with its broad avenues, magnificent churches, and grand palaces. The art of Byzantium was cherished and imitated throughout the medieval Mediterranean. This class will look at a variety of objects (such as ivory carvings, illuminated manuscripts, and icons), and buildings (such as churches and palaces) created or built in Byzantium between the fourth and the fifteenth centuries. Students will investigate the following topics: urban space and the Byzantine power discourse; art and the emperor; the Classical artistic tradition in medieval Byzantium; Byzantine, Western medieval and Islamic arts: points of convergence; and spirituality and luxury.

(As)

Letters in bold following individual upper division course descriptions cite the History of Art major breadth requirement fulfilled by the course. (As=Asian, An=Ancient, Me=Medieval, R=Renaissance, B=Baroque, Mo=Modern.)