Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557)

Rating:
Summary: Correction to Previous Review
Review: The first exhibition, "The Age of Spirituality", shown in 1977, was organized by the eminent scholar, Kurt Weitzmann, Professor Emeritus of Princeton University (1904 -1993).

It is also important to note the essay written by Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, Pharan, and Riatho, Abbot of the Holy Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine, Sinai, Egypt who on page 335 writes,"...holy icons are more than artful and historical objects. They are a vital entity and a vibrant presence in the liturgical life of the Church, which is the very context that sanctioned and fostered their creation, existence, and use from early Christian times." He goes on to say, "Indeed, by their captivating formal purity, transparency, and clarity, icons create what we may call a resonance or an uplifting in the spiritual sense. They are statements of faith ..."

Lastly, mention must be made of the conclusion of the catalogue and exhibition, which focuses on the influence of Late Byzantine icons on Northern Renaissance art. Many masterpieces are exhibited including Memling, van der Weyden, Jan Van Eyck and Gerard David. They are breathtaking, but perhaps too much icing. A preview to Ms. Evans's next exhibition?

Rating:
Summary: Monumental
Review: The Metropolitan Museum of Art has put together its third monumental exhibition reflecting early Christian and Byzantine art. The first exhibition, "The Age of Spirituality", organized by Helen C. Evans was shown in 1977 and explored Christian art between the third and eighth centuries. Twenty years later, the persevering Ms. Evans was responsible for the wonderful "The Glory of Byzantium, A.D. 843-1261". This exhibit, "Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261 - 1557) is the last of this historic trilogy and is a testimony to Ms. Evans and her team, including Mahrukh Tarapor, who visited 35 countries and in a feat of international diplomacy convinced 129 museums, churches, monasteries, collectors and libraries to part with their treasures. Approximately 350 examples of Byzantine art have been contributed with only the monasteries of Mount Athos holding out. The exhibit runs through July 4, 2004. There are many other important examples that Mr. Temple could have used. This sumptuous and amazing exhibition should not be missed. The one in 1997 drew nearly one-half million visitors and this one should top that.

The catalogue, which accompanies this exhibition, is massive. It spans 680 pages and contains more than 800 color plates. The illustrations are beautifully reproduced. It contains important essays and descriptions of the objects by a renowned group of over 100 scholars. Please, please please - do yourself a favor and see this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition and purchase the accompanying catalogue, which will give you much pleasure. Ms. Evans is owed every civilized person's gratitude for her awe-inspiring effort.

Rating:
Summary: Crumbs from the table
Review: This book details late Byzantine art (mostly icons, medallions, and manuscript illuminations) during the reign of Constantinople's last ruling dynasty, the Palaiologoi. Illustrations are small and the art historical writing reads like a random collection of graduate-level symposium papers (on such topics as church vestments and late tomb sculpture) and largely failing to engage the reader. The lack of narrative focus and quality works of art also lends an overall impression that this exhibition represents a culling of whatever happened to be at hand to produce yet another "blockbuster" that lacks much of either faith or power.