What pictorial element indicates an otherworldly space in Empress Theodora and her Attendants in the Church of St. Vitale (Fig. 8-9)?
A) the emphasis on illusionistic space
B) three-dimensional modeling of the figures
C) the silhouetting of the figures against a gold background
D) the open doorway to the women's gallery

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The silhouetting of the figures against a gold background is a common pictorial element in Byzantine art and indicates an otherworldly space, signaling the divine realm or heavens. This technique is used in the Empress Theodora and her Attendants in the Church of St. Vitale to convey the sacred nature of the scene.

What Pictorial Element Indicates an Otherworldly Space in Empress Theodora