This mosaic shows how the arts—and an interest in naturalism—flourished in the final centuries of the Byzantine Empire. Late Byzantine naturalism: Hagia Sophia’s Deësis mosaic by Dr. Evan Freeman
His body swells beneath the cloth, but his feet hardly touch the ground. This awkward angel is part pagan, part Christian. Ivory Panel with Archangel by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
These glittering mosaics offered Byzantine worshippers a vision of God in the heavens, sacred history, and the saints. Mosaics and microcosm: the monasteries of Hosios ... by Dr. Evan Freeman
The reign of emperor Justinian (527 - 565) saw dramatic new developments in Byzantine architecture. Innovative architecture in the age of Justinian by Dr. Robert G. Ousterhout
Basilicas and new architectural forms appeared following the reign of emperor Constantine. Early Byzantine architecture after Constantine by Dr. Robert G. Ousterhout
House churches, catacombs, basilicas - explore the origins of Byzantine architecture The origins of Byzantine architecture by Dr. Robert G. Ousterhout
A church painted inside and out, at the crossroads of the (Eastern) late Byzantine and the (Western) late Medieval worlds. Church of St. Nicholas, Balinesti by Dr. Vlad Bedros
This Byzantine mosaic shows the personification of the act of generous giving — Ktisis Byzantine Mosaic of a Personification, Ktisis by Dr. Evan Freeman and Dr. Anne McClanan
An Early Byzantine sculpture of a woman with a scroll at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Woman with Scroll by Dr. Evan Freeman and Dr. Anne McClanan
A panel with a Griffin (a lion and an eagle — the king of birds and the king of animals — combined). Byzantine Griffin Panel by Dr. Evan Freeman and Dr. Anne McClanan
A sumptuous silver and gold chalice starring a youthful Christ, a saint slaying a dragon (could it be George?), and more. A chalice from the Attarouthi Treasure by Dr. Anne McClanan and Dr. Evan Freeman
This energetic image of military victory captures a moment of transition between classical and Byzantine art. The Emperor Triumphant (Barberini Ivory) by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
The size and solidity of this Virgin and Christ reaffirmed the power of images in the wake of Byzantine iconoclasm. Theotokos mosaic, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris
After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, the sultan repurposed this church, adding slender “pencil” minarets. Hagia Sophia as a mosque by Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay and Dr. Steven Zucker
Created at the end of the Byzantine Empire, this image looks back to the achievements of an earlier empress. Icon with the Triumph of Orthodoxy by Pippa Couch and Rachel Ropeik
Large and lavish, the images in this manuscript revived the classical style for medieval church use. The Paris Psalter by Dr. Anne McClanan
Preserved in a desert monastery, this wax-on-wood icon leads the viewer upward and inward to the spiritual realm. Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore ... by Dr. William Allen
The golden dome of this vast building appears suspended from heaven. It has withstood quakes, conquest, and crusades. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul by Dr. William Allen