Byzantine and Islamic Arts [ LHART2390 ]

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A. Imperial Christianity is the essence of the eastern Roman civilisation; it conditions every artistic expression in the vast areas of Europe, Asia and Africa where it developed.
B. The arts of Islam, of which architecture and calligraphy are most widely recognized, are a prestigious chapter not to be ignored by any historian of the arts and civilizations: all its forms of arts and crafts have flourished and expanded on the African, Asian and European continents.

A. Acquiring the capacity to recognize the shapes and aesthetic characteristics of each region and period of the arts of the Christian East, and the ability to identify their common features as they interact with other cultural expressions.
B. Knowledge of techniques and formal features generated in the Islamic context and of the physical, socio-political, religious, historical and geographical environment of which they are characteristic.

Assessment by written and oral final exam, or in form of work to be presented during the exam.

Combination of ex-cathedra talks from the teacher or invited lecturers and seminaries.

Possibility to organize visits in Ravenna or Rome.

The lesson will first provide general information about Byzantine and Islamic arts which importance is major for the studies of the western artistic studies.

A) Specific studies of the western Byzantine world - Rome, Ravenna etc. Their monumental arts with their painted and made from mosaics decorations, and their sumptuary arts and furniture will be studied in their creation and using context. The liturgy and the court ceremonial, the decoration of the monastic and profane life will be studied. Following the context of the main historical and geographical articulations, the innovations and technical, stylistic and iconographical characteristics of the Byzantine art are emphasized in the way they shone forth, ...

B) Presentation of the different facets of the art of Islam since the origins up to the Ottoman and nowadays extension. Accent put on the architectural typologies, the stylistic trends of figurative arts, the mutual influences of the West and the antique heritage.

Bibliographical list provided by the teachers.

Supports: PowerPoint Dias, lectures portfolio.