The panel dates from the first half of the 5th Century, probably from the reign of the Emperor Justinian (and may have actually depicted Justinian in the other panel). Justinian was the last Roman Emperor to insist on Latin as the official language of Imperial Roman government. He also ordered built the current Hagia Sophia and the San Vitale in Ravenna, where his imperial image can still be seen in the apse. Justinian is important, because he was the last Roman Emperor to try and reassert imperial rule over the Western Empire, which had fallen some 50 years or so before this diptych was made. In that sense, the diptych represents a wonderfully transitional piece, like Hagia Sophia itself. Pulling from the greatest innovations of Late Classical Roman architecture, but pointing the to something vibrant and new.
All of this detail in just 18 inches or so. I'm amazed at how intricate it is. I do wonder where the idea of what angels look like comes from. I once dreamt of angels in a semi-circle over my head and they looked nothing like this, so my representation of them would be quite different - especially in the robes, which were a simpler, straight cut with an elaborate, beautiful gold trim. I may never forget them... No wings. I can't say much about their toes, but I'm sure they were very nice. 😋
I just got out of a fifty minute lecture about ivory diptychs and triptychs from the Byzantine and Renaissance periods. It's a very controversial subject, the lecturer brought up the 2017 NY Ivory Crush event to emphasize the revolt against animal cruelty for art. This piece is reminiscent of an apotheosis scene of the Augustian or Tiberian reigns. Very cool
The panel dates from the first half of the 5th Century, probably from the reign of the Emperor Justinian (and may have actually depicted Justinian in the other panel). Justinian was the last Roman Emperor to insist on Latin as the official language of Imperial Roman government. He also ordered built the current Hagia Sophia and the San Vitale in Ravenna, where his imperial image can still be seen in the apse. Justinian is important, because he was the last Roman Emperor to try and reassert imperial rule over the Western Empire, which had fallen some 50 years or so before this diptych was made. In that sense, the diptych represents a wonderfully transitional piece, like Hagia Sophia itself. Pulling from the greatest innovations of Late Classical Roman architecture, but pointing the to something vibrant and new.
You could write the scripts for these videos. Awesome comment, that's interesting info.
ΔΕΧΟΥ [ΤΑ] ΠΑΡΟΝΤΑ, ΚΑΙ ΜΑΘΏΝ ΤΗΝ ΑΙΤΊΑΝ
Accept the present (effects) and Know the Cause
All of this detail in just 18 inches or so. I'm amazed at how intricate it is.
I do wonder where the idea of what angels look like comes from. I once dreamt of angels in a semi-circle over my head and they looked nothing like this, so my representation of them would be quite different - especially in the robes, which were a simpler, straight cut with an elaborate, beautiful gold trim. I may never forget them... No wings. I can't say much about their toes, but I'm sure they were very nice. 😋
I just got out of a fifty minute lecture about ivory diptychs and triptychs from the Byzantine and Renaissance periods. It's a very controversial subject, the lecturer brought up the 2017 NY Ivory Crush event to emphasize the revolt against animal cruelty for art.
This piece is reminiscent of an apotheosis scene of the Augustian or Tiberian reigns. Very cool
What kind of ivory? Would this have been made from an elephant tusk? Also, is it a single piece of ivory or a few, or even many pieces put together?
They are saying, two pieces
cool cool cool cool cool!!
Tremendous
“Clash of pagan and Christian”