Early christian arty

1. Early Christian Art

2. Main themes:
-No Christian works datable before 3rd century are known
-Earliest images include: simple symbols (fish, anchor, chi-rho
monogram) images of personal salvation (Jonah and the whale,
Daniel in the lions’ den), symbols of Christ (Good Shepherd), symbols
of Baptism (Noah’s Ark)
-Repertoire of scenes was rather limited: mostly Old Testament
scenes and miracles of Christ
-In the 4th and 5th century theological perceptions change: scenes
from Christ’s life proliferate together with the images of the Virgin
Mary
-Legalization of Christianity in 313 (Constantine’s Edict of Milan)
brings about the flourishing of the early Christian architecture
-The style is essentially Roman

4. Anchor and fish epithaph, Catacomb of St. Domitilla, Rome, ca.
3rd century.

5. The Good Shepherd, Orants, and the Story of Jonah. Late 3rd–early 4th
century, burial chamber, Catacomb of Saints Peter and Mercellinus, Rome.

6. -> catacombs -> cubiculum (cubicula)
-> loculus (loculi) -> arcosolium (arcosolia)

7. -> Jonah and
the whale
-> orant
-> medallion
-> lunettes
-> typology

8. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, marble. c. 359. 4’ × 8’; Grottoes of Saint Peter,
Vatican City.

9. -> adventus
-> adlocutio

12. -> porphyry
Sarcophagus of Constantina, Santa Constanza. c. 350. Vatican Museums.

14. Church of Santa Costanza, Rome. c. 350.
-> centrally-planned : martyria, mausolea, baptisteries

15. Interior of Santa Costanza, Rome. c. 350.

17. Harvesting of Grapes, Santa Constanza, Rome, mosaic. c. 350.

19. Dura Europos, before 256 AD, Syria.
-> garrison town
-> Sasanians

21. Baptistery, Dura Europos, Syria. Before 256.

23. The Good Shepherd, Dura Europos, Syria, before 256 AD

25. Wall with Torah Niche, Dura Europos, Syria. 244–245
AD. Section approx. 40' long, entire room: 13.65 x 7.68
m; 3 bands with 58 separate fresco seccos.

26. -> synagogue
-> Temple of Solomon
-> Torah = Pentateuch (Genesis,
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy)

27. Moses Leads the Migration From Egypt, Synagogue, Dura Europos, Syria,
before 256 AD, National Museum of Damascus.
-> late antiquity

29. Church of Santa Sabina, Rome. c. 422–432.

30. Top right: Santa Sabina;
Bottom right: Basilica of
Maxentius and Constantine
And its plan (top left)

32. Interior, Church of Santa Sabina. c. 422–432.

34. Parthenon, Greece.

35. Beth Alpha Synagogue, 6th century AD, Galilee, Israel.

37. -> metaphysical
realm
-> celestial realm
-> terrestrial realm
-> zodiac signs
-> Sacrifice of Isaac

38. Suicide of Judas and Death of Christ, plaque from a box, c. 420, ivory; British
Museum, London.

39. Projecta Casket, 350 – 400 AD, 55 x 43 x 18 cm), Esquiline Treasure, silver
gilt; British Museum, London.

43. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna,. c. 425–450.

44. -> blind arcades
> Milanese workmanship

45. Oratory of Galla Placidia (Interior View). c. 425–450.

48. The Good Shepherd, mosaic, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. c. 425–450.

49. -> lunette