Byzantine icons are religious images created in the Byzantine Empire, primarily between the 4th and 15th centuries. These icons often depict Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints, serving as important tools for worship and devotion. They are characterized by their use of gold backgrounds, flat figures, and a lack of perspective, which emphasizes the spiritual rather than the physical. The creation of Byzantine icons followed strict guidelines and was often performed by skilled artisans in monasteries. These artworks were believed to be windows to the divine, allowing believers to connect with the sacred. The veneration of icons played a significant role in the Eastern Orthodox Church and influenced later art movements.