Art of Devotion

Art of Devotion

Religion in Late Antiquity was marked by religious pluralism. Although the Byzantine Empire's official religion was Orthodox Christianity, art sometimes called upon non-Christian forms, and visual culture of multiple faith traditions existed. For example, when images of Christ or the apostles were depicted, sometimes they were figured in the form of Greek or Roman gods, or accompanied with pagan-derived personifications of geographic locations or ideas such as Death. Religious ideas from Byzantium spread to and are evident in a wide range of geographies, like Kyivian Rus' or late medieval Italy. Byzantine art of devotion mostly comprises Christian themes from Orthodox Christianity. Therefore, religious themes are seen even in personal items not used in the Church. Some of these include capitals adorned by angels; six silver plates that tell the story of the Life of David and his slaying of Goliath; and a Bowl Base with Christ Giving Martyrs’ Crowns to Saints Peter and Paul. Additional objects, such as a Dedication Plaque to a Jewish Temple and a a figural sculpture of Dionysius, demonstrate different religious traditions of Late Antiquity. While the contexts of these works vary, all of them engage with religious iconography.

Christina Ball