EARLY CHRISTIAN ART 2 nd – 5 th Century A. D. A New Religion: Underground movement for nearly the first 300 years of existence Rome fell; Christian Church became powerful influence Theatre: Christians forbidden to attend Church music sung softly- had to be hidden from authorities 313 AD: Constantine and Edict of Milan made Christianity legal

The Catacombs Underground passages located on outskirts of Rome Places for persecuted Christians to hold religious services and bury their dead

Characteristics Little interest in beauty, grace, & strength of human body Intended to illustrate the power & glory of Christ Meant to tell the story of his life on earth Model for people to follow to be saved

Christ as the Good Shepherd

Used Roman images but with different meanings Shepherd: symbol of Christ Sheep and goats: as Christian followers Trees with birds: as priests who were paralleled with Christ

Christian Symbolism Signs and symbols used to maintain secrecy during persecutions After Edict of Milan secrecy no longer necessary and certain images continued to have symbolic importance in art and liturgy

Christian Symbolism Goldfinch: ate thorns; reminded them of Christ’s crown of thorns; represented death Ivy: always green; associated w/ eternal life Fish: followers of Christ

The Most Important Figures in Christian Art Holy Family – Mary, Joseph, Christ Saints – any holy person Martyr – one who dies for a belief Frequently Depicted Scenes from the Life of Christ Christ’s birth and childhood Christ’s ministry and miracles Christ’s passion

Early Christian Architecture After Edict of Milan, could worship in open so needed place to worship. Took Roman basilica plan and made it their own The Christian basilica’s design meets requirements of the Christian ritual. Retreats from the real world; spiritual places Outside plain; inside dramatic- columns, windows, mosaics Campanile: bell towers

Christian Basilica Altar and Apse- Christian basilica Christ on cross hangs as judge Transept- new feature; adds extra space for congregation; isolates clergy from main body and forms shape of cross Mosaics- glass squares that reflected light thus light of Christ

Mosaics Used tiles of small glass squares which reflected the sunlight so overall effect was to symbolize the light of God

Mosaic: Good Shepherd Mosaic

Good Shepherd Christ as a good Shepherd Six sheep – followers Robe of purple and gold is sign of royal status as future as King of Heaven He sits on a rock which symbolizes St. Peter (the rock who established the Church) Rock is divided into 3 steps which symbolizes the Trinity

Christian Sarcophagi Christian sarcophagus differs from Roman: 1.biblical subject matter 2. omission of the effigy on lid

Sarcophagi

Central Planned Church Round or polygonal building developed from Roman baths- associated with baptism. Also used as a mausoleum (tomb.) Central altar or tomb and cylindrical core with clerestory windows. Ambulatory (circular barrel-vaulted passageway) ran between the central space and exterior walls

Santa Costanza Centrally Planned Church Mausoleum for Constantina, daughter of Constantine

BYZANTINE ART AND ARCHITECTURE Social and Political Events 1.Roman Empire becomes 2 empires after death of Constantine 2.Center of power moves to east; Constantinople is capital 3.First Golden Age of Byzantine begins with reign of Emperor Justinian 4.Justinian’s building program was one effort to restore unity to Christendom

San Vitale

Built by Justinian. Visual reminder of his power Asymmetrical Central Plan Church Interior glows with yellow light from gold in mosaics Mosaics of glass become primary means of wall decoration and completely cover interior

Mosaics Byzantine art stresses symbolism over naturalism

Court of Justinian

Located on right of Christ’s image Intention - depict Justinian as Christ’s representative on earth and show him as a worthy successor to Constantine- an expression of his power as head of both Church and state

Court of Theodora

Opposite Justinian’s mosaic Theodora, court ladies and 2 churchmen Intention - establish her as co-regent with husband but is subordinate to Justinian’s by being on Christ’s left Also placed farther back in picture space than Justinian and less imposing

Hagia Sophia- Istanbul, Turkey

Architectural masterpiece of Justinian’s reign; his personal church in Constantinople. Roman domes were placed piers (massive vertical pillars) Dome is placed on 4 pendentives- triangular portions at the corner of each arch Could have thinner walls and more windows First built as a Christian basilica and in 1453 Turks captured Constantinople and converted to mosque. Today state museum Christian mosaics in interior covered over and replaced by Islamic decorations Minarets- (4) slender towers added by Turks

The Virgin and Child: Mosaic showing the Virgin and Christ between the emperor Justinian and the emperor Constantine

ICONS Icons-panel paintings of an image whose purpose is purely devotional 1.Religious images 2.Used as worship centers in homes and churches 3.Subject matter-Madonna and Christ Child, Saints, Christ

Virgin and Child Enthroned

Madonna and Child Christ