Justinian And His Attendants Analysis

The Emperor Justinian and His Attendants was made in 547 A.D by an artist who is still unknown because for the most part most of the art created during this time were unsigned. This piece is a colorful and very detailed Mosaic which highlights the Byzantine style. The Emperor Justinian and His Attendants can be found in the church of San Vitale in Ravenna. This Mosaic is the most famous figure authority during the Byzantine empire. This image “depicts a centered emperor in front of many military personal and clergyman” (everything2). This work of art is a piece that symbolizes a lot more than just a single piece of work it tells a story and embodies religious beliefs. This piece of art consists of an emperor who stands out relatively well. He’s wearing a dark robe …show more content…
Religion was something that brought the people of that time together, it was something they believed in very deeply. They were very passionate about coming together and believing in a god and therefore they expressed it through their art, to be able to tell stories and to let people connect and relate to it. Along with the entire mosaic symbolizing religion, each intrinsic detail symbolizes something smaller which then in fact all comes together to explain the entire work of art. There is a cross painted in the picture which represents the atonement, the white robes signify purity considering the men are a part of the church and what appears to be a toga symbolizes the sacrifice made to get to where they are. The halo around the emperor’s head signifies godliness and the crown that physically sits on his head symbolizes he is king and contains all the power. The military personnel whom are holding spears “give the military power to enact his will upon his domain” (everything2). And the clergymen are pictured holding a book and another undistinguishable item which represents their abilities to perform