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A Journey Through Art Periods Across Centuries: From Byzantine to Baroque
Jakub Kanovics
School of Business Administration, Anglo-American University
ART100: Survey of Western Art
Alena Foustkova
15 December 2020
(1772 words)
The beginning of the historical period of the 1st century, along with the establishment
of Christianity, marks an epoch for the art of Western Europe. From the 1st century AD until
the 17th century AD, various art periods were formed, including Early Christian, Byzantine,
Romanesque, Gothic, and so on. Additionally, the various artwork was created to add variety
to Western Art. The artwork can be seen in many European countries, such as Italy, France, or
the Netherlands. The exquisite artwork of Western Art has been greatly influenced by
Christianity from the 1st century onwards, leaving marks in all forms and periods. Western art
includes various forms of artwork, including mosaics, tympanums, churches, paintings, or
sculptures that all have elements or themes of Christianity in them. To start, one should begin
with the earliest artwork, belonging to the Byzantine period.
The first piece of art belongs to the Byzantine art from the 6th century (Foustkova,
Byzantine). The Apse mosaic in the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, dates back to c.
547, and has an unknown author (Adams 289). The mosaic is located in the apse of the