The Golden Age of Byzantine Art: The Age of Justinian I (527-565) (LIVE ONLINE COURSE)
[OLE3335]

Matthew Barr, PhD 

New Year 2025 

10 weekly sessions on Tuesdays 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm, starting 21 January 

In his 1957 classic work on medieval political theology 'The King's Two Bodies', Ernst Kantorowicz sees certain Byzantine mosaics of the Imperial family as attempts to ‘defeat death’ and ‘extend bodily existence’.  There is an argument to say that this is what Justinian I sought to achieve with his staggering legacy of mosaics across the Byzantine empire.  How did his artists hope to make viewers feel when they entered the dazzling spaces of Hagia Sophia or San Vitale in Ravenna?  Were these buildings and artworks the solemn declarations of Christian faith they purport to be or are they as much about affirming imperial power?  We will look at the great artistic achievements of Justinian's age and their legacy in the Byzantine empire. 

Fee £46.00 (concession rate £33.00) 

5 CATS Points (Level 1) 

This is a live online class 

Concession: The concession rate is available for those who are in receipt of State Benefits (including pension), or are full-time students, part or full-time Queen’s students or are members of University staff holding a valid staff card:

Course: Full RateConcession Rate