* Perspective: The mosaics in San Vitale use a system of perspective that is not identical to the linear perspective developed in the Renaissance but is still quite sophisticated. It's sometimes called "reverse perspective" but this is a bit of a misnomer. It's more accurate to say that it is a hierarchical perspective. This means that the size of figures is determined by their importance rather than their distance from the viewer. Larger figures are more important, regardless of their actual location in space.
* Space: The mosaics do not use shallow space. Instead, they use a deep space representation, with figures and objects depicted at varying distances from the viewer.
Why does this style work?
* Emphasis on Importance: The hierarchical perspective emphasizes the importance of the figures depicted, particularly the Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora.
* Symbolic Representation: The mosaics are meant to be symbolic representations of the divine and the earthly realms. They convey the glory of the church and the power of the Byzantine Empire.
* Artistic Tradition: This style of perspective was a common feature of Byzantine art. It was rooted in earlier artistic traditions and served the purposes of religious representation.
It's important to understand that the artistic conventions of the Byzantine period were different from those of later periods, particularly the Renaissance. The use of hierarchical perspective and deep space in the San Vitale mosaics is not a mistake or a stylistic flaw. It is a deliberate choice that reflects the artistic and cultural values of the time.