Medieval Byzantine painting - a compilation of resources

Seeing that every now and then there are threads involving medieval, especially Byzantine art (alleged UFOs in frescoes, etc.) I thought it would be a good idea to have this wonderful compilation of links and articles handy here.

Icons explained (a compilation)


Best used together with this great resource:

The Internet Medieval Sourcebook







[edit on 25-1-2010 by Vanitas]

I love Byzantine icons. I was watching a very interesting TV programme this evening about the Russian Orthodox church and how it was influenced by the Byzantines.

The presenter went into St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow (built in the 16th century by Ivan the Terrible). It was a wonderful thing to see, I'd only ever seen the exterior before.

Here are some examples of what it is like inside:



[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/7cc97e58f66c.jpg[/atsimg]

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/655d976a0820.jpg[/atsimg]

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/159036401b3f.jpg[/atsimg]

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/aa53c1f49ae9.jpg[/atsimg]

And the famous exterior:

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4238323eaaf2.jpg[/atsimg]


[edit on 30-1-2010 by berenike]

reply to post by berenike


I am very glad to hear that, Berenike.

I find Russian architecture amazingly beautiful. (Although it's not the only one that captivates me; Islamic architecture also is a wonder to behold!)

Speaking of icons, have you seen the famous Andrei Rubliov's paintings?
The delicacy, the spirituality, the colours... just beautiful.

reply to post by Vanitas


I hadn't heard of Andrei Rubliov so I did a quick google search. You're right, his work is very beautiful. I think, looking at this example, that I have an idea where Burne Jones got some of his inspiration:

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b104d598a2a9.jpg[/atsimg]

I love Islamic architecture, too.

reply to post by berenike


Oh, I am glad you found him!
(Every time anyone finds a gem of true beauty I just feel good. I think it's called - living vicariously... )

No doubt you shall also find the famous eponymous film by Tarkovsky... but while it is a masterpiece, I doubt you would enjoy it.
I certainly can't watch it (for purely moral reasons).
If you ever see it, you'll know why.

I never thought of the Pre-Raphaelites being influenced by art so far away... but you could be right. His work is certainly beautiful and ethereal in a way that is reminiscent of the Holy Trinity, for example.


As for Islamic architecture... I feel a dissertation welling up, so I'd better stop now. :-)
But if somebody, anyone at all, wants to start a thread about early Islamic architecture and its influence on Western Gothic, I'd be happy to contribute!






[edit on 3-2-2010 by Vanitas]