Renowned Museum Highlights the Widespread Influence of Byzantium

                                                                by Emmanuel K.

                                                                       (2009)

       On a recent visit to the Byzantine Art collection at the Met, I expected to view a display on the art of iconography. While the exhibition does include religious mosaics and medallions, it also encompasses secular objects and demonstrates the widespread influence of Byzantine culture in parts of Europe, Egypt, Syria, and even the Republics of Armenia, Georgia, and Kievan Rus’.

     The exhibit, named the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries for Byzantine Art features a superb collection of objects and images developed in the Early, Middle, and Late Byzantine Ages. It also includes examples of Judaica. Most impressive is the “crypt” gallery located under the Grand Staircase of the museum.

      There are many outstanding objects on display which attest to the deeply Christian and highly accomplished artistry and wealth of the Byzantines: intricately carved ivory icons meant for personal devotion; an exquisite box reliquary that contained fragments of the True Cross which was discovered by St. Helen; silver and liturgical vessels such as chalices and censers from Northern Syria; and jewelry and ceramics from the Middle and Late Byzantine eras.

     The exceptional “cryptlike” space under the museum’s Grand Staircase is made of brick arches and sloping walls and it includes a display of religious and secular objects from Egypt, one of the wealthiest provinces of Byzantium. The light level is deliberately dimmed to protect objects such as textiles which are susceptible to damage from bright light.

     The textiles from Egypt which were used to decorate homes and official buildings are very delicate and beautiful. According to the museum, these richly patterned fabrics were also meant to ward off evil. The jewelry found near Lycopolis (now Assiut) “represents a standard of luxury that was common among the Egyptian elite. It also demonstrates the close connection between this wealthy province and Constantinople.”

     A section of the crypt gallery also includes a series of manuscripts and pottery from the Monastery of Epiphanius – an early Christian center of monastic life. St. Anthony the Great, one of the most famous Saints of Egypt, was one of the first monks to live as a hermit in the desert in search of religious enlightenment. Classical themes and Christian images are found on the objects in this region, e.g. the fragmentary pottery with fish and rosettes made in terracotta in 500 A.D.

     Thanks to the generosity of the Jaharis family, the Byzantine Art Collection is the shining jewel of the Met. This dramatically opened and redesigned space is a wonderful addition to this museum. A visit to this gallery is an enlightening experience for people of all ages.