Byzantine Art refers to the artistic style that developed in the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from the 4th to the 15th century. This art is characterized by its religious themes, particularly in mosaics, icons, and frescoes. Artists often used gold backgrounds and vibrant colors to create a sense of divine light and spiritual presence. The style emphasizes flatness and a lack of perspective, focusing on the spiritual rather than the physical world. Notable examples include the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Mosaics of Ravenna. Byzantine Art significantly influenced the development of Christian art in both the Eastern and Western traditions.