The Arts of the Byzantine Empire at Victoria and Albert Museum

The Arts of the Byzantine Empire to discover more about the Byzantine Empire, ruled from its capital Constantinople (present day Istanbul), for over a thousand years. From its foundation in 330, until its fall to the Ottomans in 1453, the course explores the luxury arts for which Byzantine craftsmen were justly famed throughout the middle ages, including ivories, enamels and metalwork, illuminated manuscripts, silks, icons and mosaics. The course focuses on material from the 9th-14th centuries, drawing on objects in the V&A's collections, and includes a visit to the British Museum. Objects are discussed in their historical context, and issues such as patronage and iconography are examined.