Painting #009 - Byzantine Art

Byzantine Art  

The Basilica of San Vitale is a church in Ravenna, Italy, and one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in western Europe. 

Mosaic art    

The presbytery of Basilica of San Vitale

The mosaic of Emperor Justinian and his retinue

East Roman Emperor Justinian I (with golden halo) 
and Bishop Maximian of Ravenna 
surrounded by soldiers and clerics, 
holding holy water, cross and Holy Bible,
emphasizing that Justinian is the leader of both church 
and state of his empire
- (264 x 365 cm) 547 AC

Significant changes in Byzantine art coincided with the reign of Justinian I (527–565). Justinian devoted much of his reign to reconquering Italy, North Africa and Spain. 

Cathedral of Monreale (Sicily)  

Apse interior

Mosaics in the apse

Virgin and Child with angels and Sts. George and Theodore
- encaustic icon on panel (68 x 48 cm) c. 600
- Saint Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)

Source: Wikipedia

Whilst the Western Roman Empire spoke Latin and followed Roman Catholics, 

the Eastern/Byzantine Roman Empire spoke Greek and followed Greek Orthodox.

 Byzantine Music