Early Christian Art

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

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

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

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

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

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

-> adventus-> adlocutio

Sarcophagus of Constantina, Santa Constanza. c. 350. Vatican Museums.

-> porphyry

Church of Santa Costanza, Rome. c. 350.

-> centrally-planned : martyria, mausolea, baptisteries

Interior of Santa Costanza, Rome. c. 350.

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

Dura Europos, before 256 AD, Syria.

-> garrison town-> Sasanians

Baptistery, Dura Europos, Syria. Before 256.

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

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.

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

Moses Leads the Migration From Egypt, Synagogue, Dura Europos, Syria, before 256 AD, National Museum of Damascus.

-> late antiquity

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

Top right: Santa Sabina;Bottom right: Basilica of Maxentius and ConstantineAnd its plan (top left)

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

Parthenon, Greece.

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

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

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

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

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

-> blind arcades > Milanese workmanship

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

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

-> lunette