The vita icon emerged as an innovative format for depicting the life of a saint—and quickly became popular across Europe.
Late Byzantine
a powerful Byzantine court official builds himself a dazzling burial chapel
Picturing salvation — Chora’s brilliant Byzantine mosaics ...
Explore the tiny pieces of gold, glass, and colorful stones that compose the miniature mosaics of the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantine miniature mosaics
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
Fortified hilltop cites, palaces, and more.
Late Byzantine secular architecture and urban planning
Don't skip the final chapter: many of Byzantium’s most beautiful churches date from the last days of the empire.
Late Byzantine church architecture
A panel with a Griffin (a lion and an eagle — the king of birds and the king of animals — combined).
Byzantine Griffin Panel
Created at the end of the Byzantine Empire, this image looks back to the achievements of an earlier empress.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
