Aims

Introduce to the Christian art in the different provinces of the Byzantine Empire (330-1453 after J.C.), its common foundations, its elected materials and techniques, its principles of architecture, decoration and iconography and the particularisms of the great regional schools of the Christian East ; they should be recognized and made use of by the student.

Main themes

Presentation and studies of the architecture and figured and decorative arts of the Eastern Christianities: common principles, evolutions, regional variations.

Content and teaching methods

Content : the developments of the arts of the christianised East and Constantinople/Byzantium are studied in the background of towns, villages, sacred places, monasteries. In the context of the principal historical and regional articulations, the technical, stylistic, ornamental and iconographical research and traditions in mainly religious architecture, objects, decorative and in particular miniature arts will be illustrated.
Method : The studied monuments and works are chosen for their model character or on the hand of a variable theme (the pilgrimages ; a recently excavated and published site ; the crusades ;...). Constant use of geographic maps and history surveys. Theoretical conferences illustrated by projections. Recent discoveries, results and trends in research will be pointed out.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

The principles and vocabulary of art history, mainly of the Middle Ages, are supposed to be acquired knowledge.

Assessment by final oral examination ; the student will benefit from a preparation time.

Available Tools: copies of reproductions and plans of studied works during the course, of chronological surveys, of bibliographies... Organization of visits to galleries and monuments, depending on the calendar of events and trips.

Other credits in programs