Byzantine Art

At first, it is very obvious that these two structures; the Dome of the Rock, and the Great Stupa in Sanchi, are physically very different form their local surroundings. They are both in the shape of a typical Byzantine martyrium, something that is designed to house Godly relics, and that is exactly what they were both orginally designed to do. The Dome of the Rock is covered with Gold, a symbol of wealth and honor, and can be seen for miles.

Its round top was something somewhat unconventional at the time, and difficult to build, so this also showed the builders their commitment to setting up something worthy or worship. Like the Stupa, it is covered with passionate inscriptions pertaining to how their prophet inspired them. Both structures are covered with the patrons’ favorite quotes, or passages from their holy books, and detailed with many ornate and intricate artworks that details how the patrons loved and contemplated their belief systems.

The rounded structure also carries sound better than a square building, so speaking inside one of them would be more effective. Unlike the Stupa, that basically immortalizes Buddha; the Dome represents all 3 major religions. The Muslims built it, they consider it theirs. They also believe that it is the place where Mohammed ascended into Heaven. It fell into the hands of Israeli’s after the 6 Day War, and they consider the building site the original ‘Holy of Holies’ mentioned in the Old Testament, and think it is an abomination that Muslims would try to force God’s hand by rebuilding a Temple before God does.

It also fell into Christina hands at some point, and they embedded their own inscriptions on the wall, trying to claim it as their own as well. Buildings that were originally meant to be places of rest and reflection have eventually become a place that breeds hostility, such as the Dome, and a place that is left in disrepair as in the Stupa. In the end I can only conclude the true religion resides inside of the person who embraces it. Honour, Hugh & John Flemming. The Visual Arts: A History (seventh Edition) Place of Publication: XXX , Publisher, Year of Publication.