Transcript Document

Early Christian Art
Kinds of Art of Early Christianity
prior to 100AD
no Christian art preserved
(reason why?)
100AD-500AD
frescoes, mosaics,
illumination, sculpture
(same as pagan art)
different meanings given to already
existing pagan symbols or own
iconography e.g. <><
Why is there no Christian Art prior
to 100AD?
BECAUSE: Christians were a persecuted Jewish sect.
Their faith could not be publicly (openly) expressed,
which is why they had to hold their services in secret
places and they only used symbols (same images as
pagans but with different meaning) to express what
they believed. Also it was originally widespread only
among common people – i.e. not much money for
Christian art. Another reason might be the fact that
production of images is restricted in the Old
Testament.
Old Testament Restrictions
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the
form of anything in heaven above or on the earth
beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow
down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD
your God, am a jealous God, punishing the
children for the sin of the parents to the third and
fourth generation of those who hate me, but
showing love to a thousand generations of those
who love me and keep my commandments.
(Exodus 20:4-6)
LOCULI – A BURIAL NICHE
literal meaning – a small place (but at
the same time big enough for a human
corpse)
CATACOMBS – ANCIENT
UNDERGROUND PASSAGEWAYS FOR
BURIAL OR PROTECTION
Catacomb showing loculi
Rome
3rd-4th centuries
ROMAN CATACOMBS
The Roman catacombs are a number of
undeground passageway systems dug in a soft
rock along the main Roman roads (e.g. Via
Appia, Via Ostiense, etc.) They are extremely
important for the art history as they contain the
great majority of examples of Early Christian art
from before 400AD in fresco and sculpture.
Christian symbolism
- fish – ICHTHYS - ΙΧΘΥΣ (acrostic)
- peacock - legend
- orantes - good shepherd -- lamb –
- - Chi-Ro - christogram
IKHTUS (Ichthys) - FISH
•
•
•
•
•
I
KH
TH
U(upsilon)
S
Iésous
Khristos
Théous
Huios
Sótér
Jesus
Christ
God’s
Son
Saviour
PEACOCK
Another Christian symbol.
Symbol of new life, rebirth
By a pagan legend the
peacock’s flesh doesn’t decay
and and it sheds its old feathers
everyday and grows new ones
even brighter
Orant figure
Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome,Italy
3th century
fresco
Orant
Orant is a type of gesture during prayer
in which the hands are raised, set apart,
and the palms face outward. It was
once common in early Christianity,
Good Shepherd
Catacomb of Pietro and Marcellino,
Rome, Italy
early 4th century
fresco
Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd is an
expression found in John 10:1-21
in which Jesus is depicted as the
Good Shepherd who lays down
his life for the sheep. Similar
imagery is used in Psalm 23.
Chi-Rho
is one of the earliest forms of
christogram (Christ's name)
it is formed by superimposing the first
two capital letters chi and rho of the
Greek word "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" =Christ
legend: Emperor Constantine (312)
Dove – symbol of peace in Christ
catacomb of St Sebastiano, Rome
Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenes
from Rome, Italy
ca. 270
marble
1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.
Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenes
(Jonah and the Monster)
from Rome, Italy
ca. 270
marble
1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.
Catacomb painting
Bible stories
Samson and the Lion
Raising of Lazarus
via Latina catacomb, Rome
Oldest Christian Churches
Antiochie (Antakya, Turkey), 3rd -4th century
Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (restoration drawing)
Rome, Italy
ca. 320
1. Nave
2. Aisles
3. Apse
4. Transept
5. Narthex
6. Atrium
Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (plan)
Rome, Italy
ca. 320
Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (section)
Rome, Italy
ca. 320
Old St Peter's Basilica
The construction was begun on the orders
of Emperor Constantine in about 330AD
on the spot which had been believed to
be the burial place of apostle Simon (St
Peter). Papal coronations were held
there and in 800 Charlemagne was
crowned emperor here by the pope.
Aula Palatina (basilica)
Trier, Germany
early 4th century
Aula Palatina (basilica)
Trier, Germany
early 4th century
Santa Sabina
Rome, Italy
ca. 422-432
Longitudinal Section
Santa Costanza
Rome, Italy
ca. 337-351
Plan
Santa Costanza vault mosaic
Rome, Italy
ca. 337-351
tessera mosaic
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Ravenna, Italy
ca. 425