The first few centuries of the Common Era were extraordinarily turbulent. The great traditions of the classical world were transformed by dramatic changes in political and social structures, constant wars with invaders, and the growing influence of a new religion, Christianity. Although some historians interpret this period as a decline in civilization, it is expressed in art as a period of cultural experimentation. Despite abandoning some of the realism of the classical style, artists of the post-Antique world continued to borrow from the repertoire of pagan and imperial Roman imagery, eventually drawing on spiritual grace and abstraction of form. He has created works characterized by . The innovative styles that emerged from the coexistence of Eastern and Western empires, paganism, occultism, Judaism, and Christian religion, and the coexistence of urban and rural societies determined the development of Byzantium and the artistic tradition of the Middle Ages. .
After more than five years of preparation since its opening to the public in November 1977, era of spirituality This exhibition is not only the largest exhibition ever to focus on the period of Late Antique and Early Christian art, but also one of the most important didactic exhibitions ever assembled by the museum. It was praised. A group of 450 objects lent by more than 110 institutions and individuals from around 15 countries brings this little-known period to the public in five areas: imperial, classical, secular, Jewish and Christian. published. Historical background of various works. From delicate gold and silver jewellery, ivory diptychs and rare manuscripts to monumental stone portraits, wall paintings and floor mosaics, this exhibition explores the materials, styles and themes of the period. , the diversity of the technology was demonstrated. Architectural monuments represented in photomontages contributed information about the public and private life of emperors and the middle class.
This excellent exhibition is comprehensively presented in the current catalog compiled by the exhibition’s principal organizer, Kurt Weizmann, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University and Consulting Curator of the Cloisters and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Medieval Art. Documented and illustrated. His 39 authors, chosen to write from specific areas of expertise, present their original research here in his 20 essays and 599 catalog entries.
