Byzantine Art And Classical Greek Art Essay

Submitted By ImOneOfTheTwins
Words: 401
Pages: 2

In Byzantine art, The Ohrid Icons are a series of icons produced in the early fourteenth century. One icon depicts the Virgin Mary on one side and the Annunciation on the other side. The Annunciation scene portrays the Virgin Mary seated on a throne. The background is typically Byzantine: it was a gold leaf background that mimics the golden backgrounds of mosaics. The architecture is also rendered in a later Byzantine style. The buildings are painted with an attempt at perspective that is more skewed than correct, but which still provides a suggestion of space. The figures themselves are rendered with Byzantine faces, small mouths, and long, narrow noses. The faces, hands, and feet are carefully shaded and modeled. The clothing also follows the Byzantine style with dramatic, deep folds and a schematic patterning that renders the body underneath. The bodies, however, differ from their earlier Byzantine predecessors. They have weight and appear to exist underneath their clothing. The scene also takes cues from Late Byzantine styles since it is dramatically depicted. The Virgin sits still and a single gesture signifies her unease at the angel's approach. The angel Gabriel, meanwhile, appears to have just landed. He strides forward, with an arm outstretched. His weight placed completely on his front leg and his back leg appears to just be about to set down on the ground. We are witness to the moment of his arrival. The momentum of his arrival is further emphasized by the placement of the angel's wings. One wing has settled down onto his back while the other reaches upwards, balancing his flight. In