Neo-Platonism and Byzantine Art: Image as Icon

Below are examples of type of iconic artwork prevalent during the middle ages -- note the dates below and that most were created roughly around the time Dante Alighieri wrote The Divine Comedy.  Although most of these examples are from the Italy, the style is referred to as Byzantine, having its origins in the Eastern Christian Empire, or Constantinople.

It's also iconographic, both in the sense that it is intended to operate symbolically, rather than realistically, and that it is intended to function as an object of devotion -- as a symbol that would focus one's prayer. 

A symbol -- like a stop sign, like a flag, or a cross, or the star of David etc. -- is of course only a representation of the real thing, and the viewer thus necessarily accepts that the symbol itself is just a "fallen" representation of what is more important: that which is being symbolized.  For this reason we can connect this type of artwork -- and the minds that created and appreciated it -- as Neo-Platonic: the True Form, God, exists outside of this world and can't be seen or accurately represented, and to try to do so is just folly and blasphemy, so the representation isn't interested in the truths of this world (in realism).

This type of art dominated Europe for nearly a thousand years, understanding what it looks like and what it means should prime you to understand how radically da Vinci and Michelangelo would forever change the way we see the world.  And perhaps God.

"Humunculus Jesus": note the fully-grown man image of Christ additionally represents the concept that as a god He was born fully developed and perfect -- not, like, literally he was born aged 28, but symbolically he was "fully formed."

Byzantine Art and Painting in Italy during the 1200s and 1300s From the National Art Gallery:

Enthroned Madonna And Child, 13th Century

 
Madonna and Child, probably 1320/1330    Detail Images

OSU Website:  (incredible website):
Early Christian and Byzantine Art
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