What did you notice about the depiction of the human form in Late Antiquity and the Byzantine empire?

The art of mosaics reaches its peak during the Byzantine empire and becomes the major form of two-dimensional art during the Middle Ages. This week we will explore the art and history of mosaics.
Mosaics involve placing small color tiles, sometimes glass, and even jewels, in an arrangement to create a composition. While they are similar in that sense to stained glass windows, they differ in that they reflect light as opposed to transmitting light. We will cover stained glass windows in a few weeks.
Check out the following resources to get a better idea of the art and craft of mosaics:
The boxed essay in the textbook, page 245 in the 14th edition, page 251 in the 15th edition, or 256 in the 16th edition in the Late Antiquity chapter
An explanation and illustration of Byzantine Mosaics – a very short, about 2 minute, video from the Art Institute in Chicago that shows materials used
The video about the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna provides a good look at early Christian mosaics (and also answers a few questions from the study guide) maybe eight minutes
San Vitale, Ravenna video – shows the interior of San Vitale with its intricate mosaics (about 10 minutes) and explains much of the iconography of the Justinian and Theodora mosaics (which will help answer some questions in the study guide) San Vitale Photographs is a flickr links to photographs take by Steven Zucker of Smart History (whose voice you often hear on their videos). Some of them are detail close-ups and worth the look.
Saint Mark’s Basilica, Venice video – Saint Marks was built later but the interior is covered in mosaics of the late Byzantine style. The mosaics were completely restored so it will give you the best idea of what they would have looked like in the time period. (less than 5 minutes)
These videos will also give you a better idea of how these mosaics would appear at ground level, which is the way they appear if you saw them in person.
If you would like to take an adventure into exploring them, you could visit downtown Silver Spring, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at Catholic University, or the Cathedral Matthew the Apostle near Farrugut North Metro station as a start. The Basilica is built in the Romanesque style, which we will study in a couple of weeks, but a Byzantine style dome. St. Matthew’s Cathedral is built in Byzantine style. Both churches have domes resting on pendentives, and extensive mosaics.
Mosaics still exist but rarely on this scale, other than churches, although they seem to be appearing in some subway stations around the country.
In your post,
comment on your impression of this art form.
If you have seen mosaics in your travels or ever worked with them then add that to your comments.
Additionally, in what seems like the blink of an eye, we have moved from the Greek attention to anatomy and the way the body moves to a more flattened human form. What did you notice about the depiction of the human form in Late Antiquity and the Byzantine empire?
Comment on what questions have arisen from your exploration of this topic.

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