Religious Conviction Page 204 CHAPTER 7 Religious Conviction Page 204

7.1 Early Christian Art Relied on figures and objects as symbols to communicate religious thoughts and ideas. What is a symbol? A form, image, sign or subject representing a meaning other than its outward appearance. Tree of Life Halo Green Man

Early Christian symbols At first, Christian artist’s borrowed symbols from the Romans around them. Juno’s peacock – symbol for immortality The phoenix – Christ’s resurrection

Later, the cross became the dominant Christian symbol. Salvador Dali- Crucifixion

Before Christianity became the official religion, it was Roman law to not bury within the city. Outside city walls Christians made tunnel-like spaces in the ground that were called catacombs. Christians met for worship, buried their dead and lived in at times for protection.

Earliest surviving Christian art known as frescos were discovered in the catacombs. The Good Shepherd. Catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus, Rome

Acceptance of Christianity as state religion created a need for new architecture. Churches – the interior was much more complex and heavily decorated to symbolize the richness of spirit (sparkling mosaic, and inlayed marble), and the outside of the churches were plain brick. St. Apollinare Exterior Interior

The Archangel Michael- Divine messenger- Idealized, not realistic. The architectural setting behind him is symbolic and ornamental, not 3-D.

7.2 Byzantine Art: A Shift to the East After the death of Constantine in 337, Roman Empire split. Justinian took control of the East, also known as the Byzantine Empire. Mosaics made of glass became the primary means of wall decoration and completely cover the interiors of churches.

Icons are religious images

The triptych is an example of the portable nature of many works of Byzantine art.

7.3 Islamic Faith and Art The Moslem religion prohibited the use of human figures in religious art. Artist developed elaborate geometric and abstract designs. The term arabesque, which means “in the Arab style,” was used to describe their complex designs.

7.4 Early Medieval Art Most early medieval art was portable, therefore manuscript illumination became an important art form. Geometric designs and animal motifs were favored as decorative elements.