Download Early Christian, Byzantine, and Islamic Art

Early Christian,
Byzantine, and
Islamic Art
Chapter 13 Lesson One
Early Christian paintings
Purposes of Early
Christian painting
to illustrate the power
and glory of Christ
 to tell the story of
Christ and his life

Early Christian paintings
 Found
in the catacombs of
Rome on the stone walls
◦ catacombs: underground
passageways built for religious
services and to bury the dead
◦ Due to persecution of Christians
by Roman emperors.
 Lack
depth
 Used symbolism
Early Christian Paintings
 Symbolism
in Paintings
◦Used familiar figures or
signs to represent
something else.
◦Examples:
dog = loyalty
candle = light of Christ
ivy = eternal life
Basilicas
 Purpose
of Basilica for
Christians
◦gathering for large number of
people to worship
After Constantine permitted
Christian worship
 Exterior
of Basilica: plain
◦ added campanile (bell
tower) to original design
Basilicas
 Interior:
Dramatic
decoration
◦Walls decorated with
mosaics
mosaic: small pieces of glass
and stone set in cement.
placed so that light causes
flickering on images = Houses
of Mystery
Growth of Byzantine Culture
 Constantinople:
capital in
the Eastern part of the
Roman empire
◦Roman, Greek, and
Eastern influences
blended to produce art.
Hagia Sophia
 “Holy (or
 Dome
Divine) Wisdom”
◦ Measures 200 feet across, 31
feet higher than the Pantheon
◦ Use of 4 piers (massive vertical
pillars that support the arches)
allowed them to erect thinner
walls and add more windows
Creates appearance of lighter
weight.
Mosaics of the Hagia Sophia
 Walls
of stone and marble
decorated with gold, silver,
ivory, and gems
 Bright colors necessary
 Mosaics large to see from
afar.
Mosaics of the Hagia Sophia
 Madonna
and Child with the
Emperor Justinian and
Constantine
◦symbolize that the Church and
the State are dedicated to the
Virgin and Child.
San Vitale Basilica
 Sant’
Apollinare in Classe
 Features 2 mosaics on
opposite sides of the apse
 Artwork is flat, stiff, more
abstract and formal than
early Christian art work
◦pictures serve as religious
lessons for ALL
Emperor Justinian and Attendants
Empress Theodora and Attendants