What form did byzantine artists use most frequently and was commonly used in the name?

The form most frequently used by Byzantine artists, and often incorporated into their names, was the icon.

Here's why:

* Iconography: Byzantine art was deeply tied to religious imagery, and icons served as powerful visual representations of saints, Christ, and the Virgin Mary.

* Naming Conventions: Many Byzantine artists were known by their particular artistic specialization, and "icon painter" was a common designation. For example, "Manolis the Icon Painter" or "Theophanes the Greek, the Iconographer."

* Devotional Purpose: Icons were not just paintings; they were devotional objects, believed to hold spiritual power and act as conduits for divine grace. Their importance in the Byzantine world made icon painting a highly respected and prestigious art form.

Therefore, the icon was not just a specific form in Byzantine art but a central element that permeated its visual culture and defined the very identity of many artists.