Question

What is the significance of Christ's presence during the crowning of emperors in byzantine art?

Answer 1

The significance of Christ's presence during the crowning of emperors in Byzantine art relates to the notion that this individuals are pre-ordained by god with certain powers and thus are ordained to be leaders of their community. By placing Jesus in this pictures it signals that these emperors were chosen by god and Jesus to rule thus granting them religious legitimacy to their rule. 

Answer 2

Answer: It symbolizes the connection between the church and the byzantine emperors

Explanation: In Byzantium, there was a close relationship between emperors and the Church. This meant political support, and in particular in the case of the crowning of the emperor, the blessing of the Church was extremely important as evidence of God's endorsement of the mandate given to the emperor.

Thus, the Byzantine art depicted emperors during their crowning with the motif of Christ, who symbolically approves the crowning of the emperor not only as a secular ruler of the empire, but also an emperor who would obey and rule according to the laws of God. Such motives of Christ and the crowned emperors were common in the Byzantine Churches in the form of icons.