Byzantium
Exhibitionsreview
The Big Review: Africa & Byzantium at Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York ★★★★☆
An array of artefacts show how cultural cross-pollination thrived across centuries and continents under Byzantine rule
Booksreview
The image debate: new book looks at age-old question of figural representation in Islam
This collection of essays examines the Islamic treatment of figuration around the world, from pre-modern decoration to contemporary snowmen
War & Conflictarchive
St Catherine's monastery: A short history, from Moses to the Arab-Israeli wars
The incredible longevity of the monastery - or mosque, for a period - can be attributed to its willingness to change with the times
Exhibitionsarchive
Byzantine exhibition at the British Museum provides new insights but falls flat due to missed opportunities
Have scruples over not asking collector/dealers for loans, particularly for underrepresented painted icons, affected the quality of the current exhibition?