Image File RK208-7
 

In the later sixth and seventh centuries icons increased in importance, and an "iconic" style is apparent.  Few icons from this period survive, because most were destroyed during the iconoclasm of the following century. Some survived in remote monasteries or provincial cities where iconoclasm was not so strictly enforced.

Images of sacred scenes are sometimes depicted on objects connected with pilgrimages.
Pilgrim Box, 1st half 7th century

Saint Mark, Archangel from Egypt, 6th century
Icon of Virgin and Ss. from Mt. Sinai, 6th cen.
Textile icon of the Virgin and Saints, 6th cen.

Icon of St. Peter from Mt. Sinai, 6th century
Votive Panels from the Church of St. Demetrius, Thessaloniki, early 7th century

Some Icons were believed to have been miraculously created, for example the Mandylion or Veronica's veil imprinted with an image when Christ wiped his face on the way to Calvary

Later icon depicting King Abgar holding the Mandylion, 10th century
Russian Icon of the "Savior Painted Without Hands"

Illustration from a Chronicle showing the Emperor Romanos receiving the Mandylion, late 12th century manuscript

Other icons had miraculous powers
Image of Christ from the Chalke gate (imperial palace)
Icon of Christ from Mt. Sinai, 6th century, probably copied the Chalke icon, which was destroyed during iconoclasm
Coin of Justinian II with Christ on the obverse (Front), 685-95

The icon of the Virgin Hodegetria, destroyed after the conquest of Constantinople, but copied many times

 

Period of decline in Byzantine fortunes during the seventh century. The empire lost much of its eastern  Mediterranean lands to Islam.  Iconoclasm, the rejection of figural religious art began in 726, lasted with interruptions until 843.

Depiction of Iconoclasts from the Chludov Psalter, c. 850-875; Theodore Psalter, 1066

Hagia Eirene, Constantinople, 6th century church with later alterations, iconoclastic decoration

The secreton in the Hagia Sophia was decorated during iconoclasm with mosaics depicting crosses and vines

Muslim conquests in the east, map

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, mosaics, 691

END OF ICONOCLASM

The end of Iconoclasm is called the triumph of Orthodoxy, celebrated as an important day in the orthodox liturgy.

Iconoclastic decoration was replaced with images, remains of the old decorations sometimes still visible.

Mosaics in the Hagia Sophia, Virgin and Child, Archangels in the apse, saints along the lunettes. Praised in the homily of Photios

Apse mosaics (now destroyed) from Nicea, 8th-10th centuries
Mosaics in Saint Sophia, Thessaloniki

Importance of icons is depicted in art

Scenes from the 12th century chronicle of John Skylitzes:
Daughters of Theophilios learning to venerate icons
Entry of John Tzimiskes into Constantinople with the Icon of the Virgin of Preslav

Theotokos Hodegetria between the Empress Theodora and Emperor Michael, 14th century

Icons are displayed on the iconostasis (icon screen) between the nave and bema of churches

Example of a Templon Screen from the church of Hosios Loukas

Narrative Icons, Templon Screen
Example from the 12th century, St. Catherine, Mt. Sinai