Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, 12e Chapter 11 Pagans, Christians, and Jews: The Art of Late Antiquity
Europe and the Near East in Late Antiquity
Syncretism: the adoption of a motif, trait or characteristic from a Figure 11-1 Interior of the synagogue at Dura-Europos, Syria, with wall-paintings of Old Testament themes, ca. 245–256. Tempera on plaster. Reconstruction in National Museum, Damascus. Syncretism: the adoption of a motif, trait or characteristic from a previous period to allude to the power of the established tradition.
Figure 11-2 Reconstruction of the Christian community house at Dura-Europos, Syria, ca. 240–256.
More syncretism: the shepherd in Greek Archaic sculpture was the one offering the sacrifice -here he becomes the sacrifice. The meaning has shifted-but the image is very similar. Figure 11-3 The Good Shepherd, the story of Jonah, and orants, painted ceiling of a cubiculum in the Catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus, Rome, Italy, early fourth century.
Language of propaganda begins to shift to be a propaganda for a religion-not an empire. Figure 11-4 Sarcophagus with philosopher, orant, and Old and New Testament scenes, Santa Maria Antiqua, Rome, Italy, ca. 270. Marble, 1’ 11 1/4” X 7’ 2”.
Figure 10-72 Sarcophagus of a philosopher, ca. 270–280 CE Figure 10-72 Sarcophagus of a philosopher, ca. 270–280 CE. Marble, approx. 4’ 11” high. Vatican Museums, Rome.
The uniting of new and old testament imagery to strengthen the faith Figure 11-5 Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, from Rome, Italy, ca. 359. Marble, 3’ 10 1/2” X 8’. Museo Storico del Tesoro della Basilica di San Pietro, Rome. The uniting of new and old testament imagery to strengthen the faith
Imperial portrait language Influence of old Roman Imperial portrait language Influence of new evolving Christian narrative language These are rare-to avoid Idolatry Figure 11-6 Christ seated, from Civita Latina, Italy, ca. 350–375. Marble, approx. 2’ 4 1/2” high. Museo Nazionale Romano—Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome.
Figure 11-7 Restored view (a), plan (b), and section (c) of Old Saint Peter’s, Rome, Italy, begun ca. 320. (The restoration of the forecourt is conjectural.)
Figure 11-8 Interior of Santa Sabina, Rome, Italy, 422–432.