Early Christian Culture
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Transcript Early Christian Culture
Early Christian Culture
Christianity and the Arts
Music
Associated with
paganism so banned
from Christian
worship
Vocal music
Gregorian chants
Plainchant (plainsong)
Monophonic until the
12th century
Theater
Actors could not be
baptized
Theater virtually
disappeared until the
10th century
Gregorian Chant
“Alleluya, vidimus stellam”
What to listen for:
Monophonic texture
No instruments
Wavelike tones
Narrow range
Responsorial (solo followed by chorus)
“O Successores”
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
O successores fortissimi leonis
inter templum et altare—
dominantes in ministratione eius—
sicut angeli sonant in laudibus,
You successors of the mightiest lion
between the temple and the altar
you the masters in his household
as the angles sound forth praises
et sicut adsunt populis in adiutorio,
vos estis inter illos,
qui haec faciunt,
sempter curam habentes
in officio agni.
and are here to help the nations,
you are among those
who accomplish this,
forever showing your care
in the service of the lamb.
Early Christian Art
Painted Ceiling,
4th C. AD.
Catacombs of
SS. Pietra
Early Christian art found mostly in catacombs
Similar to Roman painting, but more symbolic
Circles suggest the dome of heaven
Old & New Testament imagery
Catacombs
Sarcophagus of Julius Bassus, 359 CE
Sculpture took a secondary role during
early Christian art
Old St. Peter’s, Begun 333 CE
Roman Basilicas served as a model for new
Churches
• Large, uninterrupted interior
• Imperial feel that linked Christianity with
its new role as state religion
San Vitale of Ravenna, Italy
Byzantine in design
Mosaic representations of Bible stories
Christ depicted as royalty
Second story gallery for female
worshippers
Mosaics of Justinian and Theodora
Combines Royal power and Church power
San Vitale
Justinian with Bishop
Maximian, clergy,
courtiers, and
soldiers.
Theodora with courtiers
Christ as the Good Shepherd Mosaic, Ravenna.
Illuminated Manuscripts
Prototypes of mosaics
were illustrated
manuscripts
Duplication of holy
text on a vast scale
Vienna Genesis, 6th C, CE
Illuminated Manuscritps
Written in silver (now
turned black) on
purple vellum
Brilliantly colored
illustrations
Vienna Genesis, 6th C. CE
The Ascension, folio 13v,
Rabbula Gospels, 586.
Scenes from the Book of
Kings, folio 1 r, Quedlinburg
Italia, c. 425-50.
Aberdeen Bestiary
Aberdeen Bestiary. (Left – Jesus; Right – Phoenix rising).
Hagia Sophia
Architects: Anthemius of Tralles and
Isidorus of Miletus
Built in 6 years.
Domed basilica – rectangular hall with a
dome in the center
Pendentive construction.
Dome:
180 feet in height
Hagia Sophia
Christ
6th century
Painted wooden panel
St Catherine's Monastery, Sinai
Image of Madonna
and Child