LATE ANTIQUE AND EARLY CHRISTIAN ART

CHRONOLOGY OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY

PAGANS, JEWS, AND CHRISTIANS

THE CATACOMBS AND FUNERARY ART

SCULPTURE

ARCHITECTURE AND MOSAICS

LUXURY ARTS ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS

VOCABULARY

LATE ANTIQUE AND EARLY CHRISTIAN ART

LunetteSemicircular frames.

Orants Praying figures.

Torah The scroll containing the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures.

Galla Placidia The half-sister of Honorius, emperor of the Western Roman empire. She ruled after his death, after being returned from a kidnapping by the Visigoths, one of whom she had married.

Sol Invicturs Christ represented as a pagan deity, the Invincible Sun (Helios in Greek).

Theodoric King of the Ostrogoths who conquered Ravenna in 476. He ordered the construction of a three-aisled basilica later known as Sant’Apollinare Nuovo.

Visigoths

Pagan invaders of the Roman empire from the northwest, ruled by Alaric.

Codex

Like a modern book, it is composed of separate leaves enclosed within a cover and bound together at one side. This form superseded the manuscript scroll.

Continuous narrative

Separate episodes of a story appearing in the same frame.

Diptych

A hinged writing tablet, often of ivory and carved on the external sides.

Illuminated manuscript

Luxurious painted books produced before the invention of the printing press.

Vellum

Calfskin used as a writing surface.

Crucifixion of Christ ca. 29

Crucifixion of St. Peter ca. 64

Persecution of ChristiansTrajan Decius 249-251Diocletian 303-305

Edict of Milan 313

Foundation of Constantinople 324

Christianity becomes state religion 390

Fall of Rome to Alaric the Visigoth 410

CHRONOLOGY OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY

Synagogue

Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 245-256

PAGANS, JEWS, AND CHRISTIANSDura Europos contained both a synagogue and a Christian community house

Synagogue InteriorWall paintings of Old Testament scenes

from Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 245-256tempera on plaster

Synagogue InteriorWall paintings of Old Testament scenes

from Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 245-256tempera on plaster

Samuel Anoints DavidSynagogue InteriorWall paintings of Old Testament scenesfrom Dura Europos, Syriaca. 245-256tempera on plaster

Although the Jews did not worship idols, Biblical scenes were painted on synagogue walls and used to illustrate manuscripts. God is never shown except as a hand.

Synagogue InteriorWall paintings of Old Testament scenes

from Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 245-256tempera on plaster

Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Dagon

True or False God appears as an old man in the synagogue frescoes at Dura-Europos.False God never appears in synagogue paintings or illustrated Bibles

Reconstruction of Christian Community House

Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 240-256

Baptistery from Christian Community House

Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 240-256

Baptistery from Christian Community House

Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 240-256tempera paintings Christ Walks on Water

Baptistery from Christian Community House

Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 240-256tempera paintings

Christ the Good Shepherd

Baptistery from Christian Community House

Dura Europos, Syria

ca. 240-256tempera paintings Christ Healing the Paralytic

Catacomb showing loculiRome3rd-4th centuries

The catacombs were subterranean networks of galleries and chambers designed as cemeteries for the Christian dead, many of them sainted martyrs. They also housed the graves of Jews and other groups, to a lesser extent.

THE CATACOMBS AND FUNERARY ART

Catacombs included galleries, cubiculae, and loculi

Good Shepherd, Orants, Story of JonahCatacomb of Peter and Marcellinus, Rome, Italyearly 4th centuryfresco

Jonah symbolism for Early Christians;

Jonah prefigured Christ, because he spent three days in the belly of a sea monster (or whale) before being spat back out. Christ was buried for three days in the tomb before emerging alive.

Jonah and the Whale is a biblical story that prefigured Christ's resurrection

Good Shepherd, Orants, Story of Jonah

Catacomb of Peter and Marcellinus, Rome, Italy

early 4th centuryfresco

True or False A cubiculum is a catacomb chamber.True

Good Shepherd

Catacomb of Pietro and Marcellino, Rome, Italy

early 4th centuryfresco

Christ was most often represented during the Period of Persecution as;

“The Good Shepherd,” a youthful and loyal protector of the Christian flock.

A teacher or learned philosopher.

Orant figure

Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome,Italy

3th centuryfresco

Three attributes he acquired during the Period of Recognition;

Halo.

Purple robe.

Throne.

Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenesfrom Rome, Italyca. 270marble1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.

SCULPTURE

Borrowed Classical motifs is a feature of the Santa Maria Antiqua sarcophagus and is typical of the emerging Early Christian style

Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenes

from Rome, Italy

ca. 270marble1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.

Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenes

from Rome, Italy

ca. 270marble1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

from Rome, Italy

ca. 359marble3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

One of the scenes depicted on the Junius Bassus Sarcophagus is the Entry into Jerusalem

Significance themes that appear on the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus;Christ seated between Saints Peter and Paul:

He is a teacher enthroned between his chief apostles.Christ on a donkey:Christ’s earthly triumph, entering Jerusalem; the pose is reminiscent of Roman equestrian portraits of emperors and generals.Adam and Eve:Their Original Sin of eating the apple required Christ’s death to atone for their sin. In the New Testament Christ is considered the new Adam and Mary the new Eve.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassusfrom Rome, Italyca. 359marble3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassusfrom Rome, Italyca. 359marble3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

Significance themes that appear on the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus;Daniel and the lions:

Daniel is saved by his faith, prefiguring Christ’s triumph over death.Abraham and Isaac:Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son prefigures God’s sacrifice of his son Jesus.Christ before Pontius Pilate:This is the only scene that alludes to his death; the crucifixion was not shown in the earlier era of Christian art.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

from Rome, Italy

ca. 359marble3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

Raising of Lazarus Fall of Adam and Eve

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

from Rome, Italy

ca. 359marble3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

Christ Entering Jerusalem

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

From Rome, Italy

ca. 359marble3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

Christ Enthroned

The fourth-century marble statue of Christ Enthroned is one of the rare examples of early Christian full-round sculpture

Christ Enthroned

ca. 350-375marbleapproximately 2 ft. 4 1/2 in. high

ARCHITECTURE AND MOSAICS

Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (plan)

Rome, Italy

ca. 320

1. Nave

2. Aisles

3. Apse

4. Transept

5. Narthex

6. Atrium

True or False An atrium is a passage around the apse of a church.False. An atrium is a open colonnaded courtyard

The St. Peter's relics were located in the transept of Old St. Peter's.

Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (restoration drawing)Rome, Italyca. 320

Two architectural sources for the Early Christian Basilica of Old St. Peter's in Rome were the Basilica Ulpia in the Forum of Trajan and the Aula Palatina at Trier.

The Early Christian builders modified the plan of the Roman pagan basilica in order to convert it to Christian use modifying the transept, or transverse aisle, ran perpendicular to the nave and lay just before the apse. It housed relics of St. Peter in the Old St. Peter’s basilica and much later became a standard element of church design when its crossing with the nave and apse took on the symbolism of the cross.

Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (section)

Rome, Italy

ca. 320

The narthex was the entrance porch of Old St. Peter's in Rome.

Aula Palatina (basilica)Trier, Germanyearly 4th century

Aula Palatina (basilica)

Trier, Germany

early 4th century

Aula Palatina (basilica)

Trier, Germany

early 4th century

Santa Sabina

Rome, Italy

ca. 422-432

Like Old St. Peter's and other early Christian churches, Santa Sabina features a timbered ceiling

Santa Sabina

Rome, Italy

ca. 422-432

Santa Costanza

Rome, Italy

ca. 337-351

Santa CostanzaRome, Italyca. 337-351

The Church of Santa Costanza differs from basilican churches in that it has a central plan, where the building’s parts are all of equal dimension around the center; in this case round.

Its original purposec ould have been the mausoleum for Constantina, the daughter of Constantine.Which of the following is a centrally-planned structure?Church of Santa Costanza

Santa Costanza

Rome, Italy

ca. 337-351

Longitudinal Section

Plan

Santa Costanza vault mosaic

Rome, Italy

ca. 337-351tessera mosaic

Santa Costanza vault mosaicRome, Italyca. 337-351tessera mosaic

Early Christian mosaics distinguish them from earlier Roman examples in that;

Tesserae are usually made of glass, in order to create sparkle and to catch and reflect the light.Tesserae in Christian mosaics were larger because they were situated far above spectators’ heads.

The mosaic of the grape harvest at Santa Costanza symbolizes the Eucharist and blood of Christ

Santa Maria Maggiore

Rome, Italy

432-440tessera mosaic Drowning of the Egyptians in the

Red Sea

Qualities of the mosaic medium that made it the favorite of Early Christian and Byzantine artists:

Glass tesserae mosaics caught light flooding through windows and could direct attention towards a composition’s most important features.

Christ as Sol Invictusfrom the Mausoleum of the Julii

Rome, Italy

late 3rd centurytessera mosaic

Christ appears as Sol Invictus, a familiar pagan diety, in the mosaic from the Mausoleum of the Julii.

THE PARTING OF LOT AND ABRAHAM, c.432-40, a mosaic in the nave arcade of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome.

Roman illusionistic elements retained in the Early Christian mosaic The Parting of Lot and Abaham:The background and city were similar to those on Trajan’s Column. The figures are solidly represented with cast shadows and modeled in light and dark.Their purpose:

The realistic illusionism used here emphasizes that this scene occurred in the earthly world, whereas the flat images used in later Christian art emphasized the spiritual world.

Santa Maria Maggiore

Rome, Italy

432-440tessera mosaic Hospitality of

Abraham

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Ravenna, Italy

ca. 425

Christ as the Good Shepherdfrom the entrance wall of the Mausoleum of Galla PlacidiaRavenna, Italyca. 425tessera mosaic

Two remnants of Roman illusionism that can be found in the mosaic Christ as the Good Shepherd in the mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

The landscape extends from foreground to background in a naturalistic way.All the forms cast shadows and have three-dimensional bulk.

Christ as the Good Shepherd appears in Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Ravenna, Italy

ca. 425tessera mosaics

Dome Mosaic of HeavenMausoleum of Galla Placidia

Ravenna, Italy

ca. 425tessera mosaic

Teodorico Mausoleum - Ravenna, Italy.

The type of palace church erected in Ravenna by Theodoric is known as a Basilica.

Two features of the mosaics of St. George at Thessalonika that will become standard for Byzantine art is:

The formality of the poses and flat, curtainl-ike drapery.Golden background.

The Martyrs Onesiphorus and PorphyriusLate 4th century

Saint Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

dedicated 504

Saint Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

dedicated 504

Saint Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

dedicated 504

Saint Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

dedicated 504tessera mosaic

Raising of Lazarus

Saint Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

dedicated 504tessera mosaic

Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes

Saint Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

dedicated 504tessera mosaic

Christ Foretelling Peter’s Denial

Saint Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

dedicated 504tessera mosaic

Ascension of Christ

Vienna Genesis

Early 6th centurytempera, gold, silver on purple vellum12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.

LUXURY ARTSILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS

The Vienna Genesis is a/an continuous narrative

Vienna Genesis

Early 6th centurytempera, gold, silver on purple vellum12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.

Genesis chapter 32

Jacob travels to meet EsauJacob travels over the Jabbok brookJacob wrestles with the AngelJacob blessed by the AngelJacob’s 11 sons

Vienna Genesis

Early 6th centurytempera, gold, silver on purple vellum12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.

Genesis chapter 24:15

Rebecca Leaves Nahor Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well

An early Christian manuscript can also be called a codex

Rossano Gospels

early 6th centurytempera on purple vellum11 x 10 1/4 in.

The Rossano Gospels is the earliest illuminated manuscript that contains illustrations of the New Testament

Rossano Gospels

early 6th centurytempera on purple vellum11 x 10 1/4 in.

Matthew chapter 27

Christ before Pilate

Pilate Washing his Hands, Christ Carrying the Cross, Denial of Peter

from a casketca. 420ivory3 x 3 7/8 in.

Suicide of Judas and Crucifixion

from a casketca. 420ivory3 x 3 7/8 in.

Basilica Nova reconstruction drawingRome, Italy306-312 C.E.

Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (plan)Rome, Italyca. 320

Compare the basilica of Old St. Peter's with the reconstruction of the Basilica Nova. What similarities and what differences do you see in the plans, elevations, and building materials used? How did the purposes of the varying parts of the two buildings differ? How was the more "spiritual" purpose of the Christian building reflected in the structure?

Basilica Nova reconstruction drawingRome, Italy306-312 C.E.

Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (plan)Rome, Italyca. 320

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassusfrom Rome, Italyca. 359marble3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

Write at least a page in analysis of the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus which contains a number of Christian scenes. First describe the architectural framework that surrounds the scenes. What types of columns and capitals do you see? How many are there? What type of entablature is used on the top row and what on the bottom? What sorts of arches are used and what type of creatures decorate the spandrels.