Byzantine Art focus is on human figures, whose identities reveal three main elements in the formation of the Byzantine Empire. Most famous are the holy figures of the Christian faith: Christ, the Virgin Mary, the saints, and the apostles. Angels often are represented in their company. Byzantine artists created impressive and innovative pieces of art. Art played a vital role in visualizing his power. Images of cherubs, mythological heroes, gods and goddesses indicate the continuing influence of Byzantium's classical heritage. They created figures that were actually beautiful but no longer solid to express the spirituality of the Christian religion. They worshipped icons and mosaics. While in Islamic Art, the traditions of calligraphy, vegetal ornament, and geometric patterning are strongly expressed in most pieces on view. Human figures in Islam were not encouraged because of the association with idols and statues. Even the prophet did not let artists draw him or straight human statues. Islam rejects the concept of trinity and considers it a contradiction of pure monotheism. In worship places no figures, pictures or statues were allowed. .
The Byzantine piece of art is called "The Presentation in the Temple"; it was probably elaborated during the 15th century. It is tempera on wood. It has measures of 17.5 x 16.5 in. The Islamic piece of art is called "Haft Paikar (Seven Portraits) of the Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami"; it was made by the Iranian calligrapher Maulana Azhar. Probably elaborated between 1141-1217 in Afghanistan. It has measures of 11 x 7 in. It has ink, colors and gold on paper. The two pieces of art have differences in the use of shapes and colors. The Byzantine picture has darker colors like dark red, a lot of brown, brownish green and red, dark blue, black, gray, etc. The unique light color it is used in this painting is light yellow used for the background and the faces of the people.
