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8. Art and Faith in the Iconoclast

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8. Art and Faith in the Iconoclast 2/12/2012 Lecture 8 Art and Faith in the Iconoclast Era HIST 302 Spring 2012 Emperor Leo III (r. 717-41) • originally from Syria – Isaurian Dynasty • nickname “Saracen-minded” • strategos of Anatolian Theme – very competent general Events leading up to Iconoclasm 720s Movement by Syrian Christians to eliminate icons 721 Umayyad Caliph Yazid II decrees that all figurative art in Christian churches and homes be destroyed 723 Leo III corresponds with ecclesiastical authorities (Pope and Patriarch) on Iconoclasm – Patriarch Germanus outright rejects idea – Pope Gregory II politely declines 1 2/12/2012 Events leading up to Iconoclasm 726 volcano on isle of Thera erupts – Leo III has list of iconophiles (icon-lovers) made – Leo also delivers sermons on the folly of icon veneration 727 remove Christ icon over Palace bronze gate – infuriated crowd kills soldier on the spot First Phase of Iconoclasm (730-87) Jan 730 Leo promulgates Iconoclasm edict – Patriarch Germanus refuses • deposed and replaced – Papal legates thrown into prison • Theme of Hellas sets up a rival emperor and readies a fleet to attack Constantinople – Leo puts down revolt • demonstrates unpopularity in Europe What is Iconoclasm • A movement seeking to prohibit the veneration of an icon (εἰκών = image) – veneration of a religious relic or image AS the thing being worshipped – smacked of worshiping idols • Differences from idol worship??? 2 2/12/2012 Exodus 20:4-5 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them;… Legal precedent for Iconoclasm Council of Chalcedon (451) • which defined that, “in Christ the two natures, human and divine, are united without confusion and without separation Constantine V (741-75) • greater military commander than father – wins several engagements against Muslim forces “High tide” of iconoclasm • excessively brutal – persecuted and tortured iconophiles • soldiers followed him faithfully – supported iconoclasm • placed heroes in public squares – favorite charioteer at the Milion 3 2/12/2012 Council of Hieria (754) Constantine V • outlines iconoclast position – tackled Christological issues head-on • summons 338 bishops from around the Empire – all had a copy teaching how and why to rule – They all signed – lacked Papal and Patriarchal representation – had support of the Mobile Army (oath) 1. TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF ALL ICONS 2. EXCOMMUNICATION of Germanus and John of Damascus Christological arguments for and against icons Iconoclasts Iconophiles • denied possibility of any • justified portrayal by virtue representation of Christ by of incarnation reason of his divinity • savior in human form • connected icons with other • confirmation of the reality heresies and the perfection of his Nestorianism incarnation • both human and divine Monophysite • 2 natures into one image Arguments for Icons St. John of Damascus (675-749) "it is not divine beauty which is given form and shape, but the human form which is rendered by the painter's brush. Therefore, if the Son of God became man and appeared in man's nature, why should his image not be made?" 4 2/12/2012 Icons Destroyed Everywhere • images replaced by: – ornamental decoration – animal and plant motifs – portraits of the Emperor – chariot racing • Attacks on the Cult of the Mother of God • Monasteries especially investigated Hagia Eirene (Ἁγία Εἰρήνη) "Holy Peace Rededicated by Constantine V "The apse of the church with cross Mosaic Carpet, Church of St. Stephen, 8th C Umm al-Rasas, Jordan, Philadelphia (detail), Church of St. Stephen Umm al-Rasas, Jordan 5 2/12/2012 coin of Constantine V on coronation of his son as co-Emperor Continued oppression of iconophiles Const. V’s persecution of those harboring icons – “Crusade against monasticism” – monasteries turned into barracks or baths • one zealous iconoclast general: – gave monks a choice between: • marriage (breaking vow of celibacy) • or being blinded and banished • Stephen, abbot of Mt. Auxentius monastery – dies a martyr’s death St. Peter the Apostle Encaustic on panel 6th century Monastery of St. Catherine, Sinai, Egypt 6 2/12/2012 Icon of Virgin and Child St. Catherine’s #45 Khludov Psalter, Moscow Earliest Psalter in existence Khludov Psalter, Moscow earliest Psalter in existence 169 folios: 7.5” x 6” created: monastery of St John the Studite in Constantinople Kept at Athos until 1847 then brought to Moscow # 57 7 2/12/2012 Softening against Iconophilism Leo IV (775-80) • no imperially sponsored active persecutions • mild punishment for offenders who were caught • his premature death brought his 10 year old son Constantine VI to throne • government guided by regent and queen Irene Repeal of Iconoclasm • Empress Irene (780-97; 797-802) attempted to call a council to reintroduce icon reverence – Plans in 786 thwarted by soldiers in capital 7th Ecu. Council of Nicaea (787) • Veneration of holy images was acceptable – John of Damascus: icons = salvation – veneration not of object, but person depicted on it • Eucharist (communion) was the only “true” representation of Jesus The Return of Iconoclasm (813-42) Leo V the Armenian (813-20) • military disasters in East and Danube 814 Iconoclasm reintroduced The Studios Monastery in an • instant resistance: 11th-century manuscript. – Theodore the Studite argued for icon use – imperial authority sought to control religious life 8 2/12/2012 Arguments for Icons St. Theodore of Studios (759-826 ) "Man himself is created after the image and likeness of God; therefore there is something divine in the art of making images. As perfect man Christ not only can but must be represented and worshipped in images: let this be denied and Christ's economy of the salvation is virtually destroyed." Last gasps of Iconoclast Rule 820 Leo V assassinated in the palace chapel on Christmas Day • Michael II half-heartedly continues iconomachy • Emperor Theophilus appoints John Grammarian to return to persecution of iconophiles – martyrdom for those who still worshiped • brothers had iconoclast verses inscribed on their foreheads with hot pokers – a rather enfeeble form of iconoclasm “Triumph of Orthodoxy” (843) • Theophilus died in 842 – iconoclasm ends • his mother Theodora regent (Michael III) • Deposition of John the Grammarian – Methodius installed Patriarch – Synodikon – Read aloud each year on the first Sunday after Lent • Creation of first new icon: – “Virgin and Child” in apse of Hagia Sophia • described as life-like • icon depicts a higher, unearthly reality • “noetic” (beyond human comprehension) 9 2/12/2012 Long-Term Effects of Iconoclasm • Narrowing of political vision – more evidence that universal Empire absent • Collapse of the powerful position Byzantium had in Western Christendom – starts chain of events leading to Papal States and coronation of Charlemagne • Collapse of Roman ascendency in the East – rise of Patriarchate of Constantinople at expense of Emperor Iconoclasm and Art History • Greatly reduced volume of Early Christian art • Began to rely on neutral motifs – Trees, cranes, cows, peacocks – Scrolls of ivy • Accused by iconophiles as turning the house of God into “a fruit shop and an aviary” • Reverts back to 4th century style 10 .
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