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APAH: Early Christian Art
Period of Persecution: 1st C. A.D. to A.D. 325
Small, hidden sects throughout Empire
Cappadocia, Turkey
Rome
Dura-Europos
Roman garrison city – Persian border
2nd – 3rd century
Jewish & Christian
Christian gatherings in homes (no churches)
Pax Romana & expansion
Communication, travel, language, safety, martyrs
Alternative to Roman state religion
Religion of conversion
Catacombs
Underground cemeteries
~4M tombs in Rome alone
Tunneled out of tufa
Surrounding gallery
Loculi – opening for dead
Cubicula – small mortuary chapel
Some decorated w/ frescoes
Catacomb of Priscila
Villa of wealthy Roman
Both Latin and Greek writing
Large number of martyrs
Early development of Christian iconography
Fish (Ichthys – ΙΧΘΥΣ)
Christ as Good Shepherd
Madonna and child
Jonah
Adoration of Magi
Men in the fire
[No Crucifixion/ No Resurrection]
Period of Recognition: A.D. 325 to A.D. 500
Edict of Milan in 313 – religious freedom in empire
Imperial support for Church in 325
Constantine captures Eastern Empire
Building programs
Official religion by decree in 380
Theodosian Edicts
All must convert
Council of Nicaea (325)
Convened on Constantine’s authority
Consolidating control – eliminating threats
Statement of Christian beliefs
Attack on Arian heresy
Appropriation
Intentional borrowing
To hide in plain sight
To take over another culture
To adapt meaning
Christ as Sol Invictus
Image of Jesus
Changing status/role
Persecution – teacher, philosopher, good shepherd
Recognition – imperial, ruler of heaven/earth
4th – 5th C questions about image – theological questions
Church construction
Classical temples housed cult statue
Sacrifices/celebrations outside
New churches
Congregations gather inside
Plain exterior
Decorated interior
Christian ideal
Old St. Peter’s (c. 320-350)
Rome
One of the largest structures
Built quickly – wooden features
Basilica design
Roman administrative center now religious center
Narthex – vestibule – point of transition
Nave
Aisles (movement of people)
Transept
Apse
Entrance opposite the apse – Focuses attention
Basilica of Santa Sabina (422-432)
Rome
Sense of early Christian churches
Carved wooden doors (c. 5th century)
Scenes of Old / New Testament
Crucifixion scene ?
Spolia columns
References to Eucharist (Holy Communion)
Santa Costanza (c. 4th century)
Rome
Centralized plan – round or polygon
Ambulatory
Constantine’s patronage – mausoleum for his daughter
Appropriation of Roman bacchanalia imagery
Porphyry sarcophagus
Symbols of Christianity
Ravenna (east coast of Italy)
Emperor Honorius relocates capital to Ravenna
Galla Placidia (Daughter of Emperor Theodosius)
Rome falls to Odoacer (Goths) – End of Empire
Theodoric (Ostrogoth) – Rules Italy from Ravenna
Belisarius (Byzantine General) – Retakes Ravenna
Justinian
Byzantine control until 751
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (c. 425)
Ravenna
Small, cruciform
Unadorned exterior / mosaic rich interior
Christ as the Good Shepherd mosaic
Regal
Relaxed/informal
Purple/gold
Shadows – Roman devices of depth
423
423 – 450
476
493 – 539
539
Illuminated Manuscripts
Constantine’s patronage
Scholars
Library
Manuscripts/copying
Move away from scrolls (Egyptian/Greek/Roman)
Continuous narrative
Codex – book
Replaced papyrus
Vellum – veal skin
Parchment – Lambskin
Durable
Sculpture
Decline of monumental sculpture after 4th C. (until 12th C.)
Links to false gods
Move to smaller carving
Sarcophagi, book covers
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus (359)
Elites converting to Christianity
Display of wealth in death
Adapting Roman Imperial iconography
Sarcophagus of Archbishop Theodore
Symbols – no human forms
Chi-rho – symbol for Christ
Α/Ω – Alpha and Omega – beginning and end
Peacocks – symbol of eternal life
Vines – grapes…wine…blood of Christ
Wreaths – victory
Message
Archbishop Theodore has gained victory over death
through the body and blood of Christ