Question

Unlike their Greek and Roman predecessors, Byzantine artists preferred what type of aesthetic?

1) Classical
2) Realistic
3) Abstract
4) Surreal

Answer 1

Byzantine artists preferred an abstract aesthetic, which differed from the more realistic and classical styles of Greek and Roman art, emphasizing spiritual and symbolic representation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Unlike their Greek and Roman predecessors, Byzantine artists preferred an abstract aesthetic. Greek and Roman art typically portrayed more classical and realistic elements, capturing lifelike human forms and anatomical accuracy as seen in Greek temples and Hellenistic sculptures. In contrast, Byzantine art evolved to a style that was more symbolic and spiritual, featuring standardized facial features, flat figures, and a minimized use of three-dimensional forms. Such art conveyed a sense of the divine and ethereal, often seen in religious mosaics and iconography of the period.