Byzantium 330-1453: Exhibition Preview
Rare Medieval Manuscripts Included in Show at Royal Academy of Art
Oct 7, 2008
London is looking forward to the Royal Academy of Art's Autumn show. Entitled Byzantium 330–1453 this will be the UK's first major show for 50 years devoted entirely to Byzantine art.
What is Byzantine Art?
The exhibition will address the question: what is meant by Byzantine Art? Writing in RA Magazine Autumn 2008, Byzantium scholar and author of several books on the subject, Professor Cyril Mango, gave this answer, which as been adopted by the RAA in their forthcoming show. "Byzantine art was that of the Christian Roman Empire ruled from Constantinople, also including monuments outside the Empire, but created under its direct cultural influence." He specifies, "chronological limits would be AD330 (the ceremonial inauguration of Constantinople as the Second Rome) and 1453 (its fall to the Ottoman Turks). (Mango, C., RA Magazine Autumn 2008, p.80)
Rare Medieval Manuscripts
The exhibition will include mosaics, ceramics, ivories and icons, wall paintings, hangings and jewellery together with a number of rare medieval manuscripts.
Characterized by beautiful calligraphy, ornamental designs and expertly drawn miniatures, highlights of the exhibition will include several magnificent examples such asThe Trapezuntian Gospels, the Tbeti Gospels, The Homilies of Monk James Kokkinobaphos And The Khludov Psalter. The volume dates from AD857-865 and the parchment is beautifully illustrated with coloured inks and gold lettering. The photo shows a representation of Psalm 69. Christ is tormented by soldiers while, below, men are whitewashing his image.
Byzantium 330–1453 - the Catalogue
A 500-page catalogue illustrated with more than 340 works will be published to accompany the exhibition. It will explore one thousand years of Byzantine art through contributions from over 100 authors together with thirteen major essays from leading historians. Byzantium 330–1453, edited by Robin Cormack and Maria Vassilaki, will be available from November 2008.
Organisationand Sponsorhip
Byzantium 330–1453 has been organised by the Royal Academy of Arts and the Benaki Museum, Athens. It is supported by the J.F. Costopoulos Foundation, the A.G. Leventis Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The show is jointly curated by Dr Adrian Locke, Acting Head of Exhibitions, Royal Academy of Arts, Professor Robin Cormack, of London's Courtauld Institute and Professor Maria Vassilaki, University of Thessaly at Volos and the Benaki Museum.
Byzantium 330–1453 - Dates and Public Events
The Exhibition will open on 25th October 2008 and will run until 22 March 2009 and there will be a number of public events linked to the show. Full details can be obtained from the Royal Academy of Arts.
Sources:
- Cormack, R., Writing in Gold, Byzantine Society and its Icons, George Philip, London, 1985.
- Mango, C., RA Magazine Autumn 2008, Issue Number 100, London, 2008.
- The website of the Royal Academy of Arts, London.
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