Roman to Byzantine art

Originally posted by Iskender Bey ALBO I was wondering. Why did the Byzantines stop using busts to show their emperors? Unlike the Romans, it seems they rellied far more on frescos to show them. What caused this change?

I can only speculate here. There is a notable absence of any improtant sculptural works from Byzantine art, early and later, possibly the result from a shift of the subject of artistic expression to dominantly Christian themes, which were depicted in a more representative and symbolic than naturalistic manner.
Paintings and mosaics became the more appropriate techniques, and sculptures were less and less produced.
As a consequence, portrays of Emperors were also shown in these media rather than in the traditional busts.

I think.

 I very much preferred busts over mosaics, the major exception is the mosiac of Justinian in Ravenna which is as powerful as any bust ive ever seen, just something in his eyes that makes the mosiac come to life.

 I've been to Rome though and seen busts of Emperors and assuming they respresent their likeness to a large degree (obviously always in a complimentry light) makes it fascinating to see the faces of the men youve learned and read about for so long in proper form. Mosiacs even though they can obviously represent the likeness of the Emperor they are depicting, don't feel as real compared to a bust of an Emperor IMO.

 Thought i'd add some pictures of Roman depictions of Emperors and Byzantine depictions of Emperors.

 

 Justinian I.

 

 The head of Constantine from the colossus statue in Rome, probably originally of Maxentius remodelled to take Constantines likeness.

 

 One of my personal fave's Trajan.

 

 John II Comnenus.

Edited by Heraclius

The last East-Roman Emperor who had a colossal (5m high) statue dedicated to him, was probably Marcian (450-457). It stands in front of the Church of San Sepolcro in the small Italian town of Barletta in Apulia, although is is alternatively thought to depict his immediate predecessor Theodosius II (408-450)



Emperor Marcian ?

Edited by Komnenos