Justinian and His Attendants Discussion

 Justinian was a powerful early emperor of the Byzantine Empire who helps establish the style of the era. The mosaic below is on the wall next to the altar in a church in Ravenna, Italy, a stronghold city for this emperor who ruled from afar in the east. It was meant to be his “presence” in the west even though he was living and ruling all the way over in present day Turkey. This glittery mosaic shows a crowned and haloed Justinian in the center, with his attendants and his army to the left of him, while the bishop with his priests, stand to Justinian’s right. Justinian is show piously bringing the bread up to the altar to be blessed in the mass ritual. This work of art was a formal image and statement of the blending of church and state that was happening in this Christian empire. Justinian and His Attendants “Justinian and His Attendants,” mosaic, 547 CE, San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy Please respond to: How does this work establish Justinian’s image of power? How is this art style different from the illusionism of the past Roman Art and why does it change? (Hint: it is not because they lose any artistic skills…)