Christianity and Christian Art before Constantine

Map of Italy

Naturalism / Idealism / Official Art Gods / Belief System Location of Temples The Rome of Augustus, 1st century B.C.E – early 1st century C.E.

Jesus of Nazareth, 12 Disciples, Anno Domini 7 Sacraments: Batptism Confirmation Holy Communion Eucharist Anointing the Sick Matrimony Holy Order Bible, Old / New Testament, four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and their Gospels, Gospel Cycles, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, Revelation, Golden Legend and other popular texts

Catacombs of Priscilla, 3rd century C.E., Rome

The earliest surviving images of Mary and Jesus (?) Isa. 7:14, Numbers 24:17: “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Daniel 3: “Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant as thou didst deliver Noah in the flood … Isaac from the sacrificing hand of his father … Daniel from the lion’s den … the three children from the fiery furnace … Wall painting, Catacombs of Priscilla, 3rd century, Rome

Apollo as Helios, late 2nd century, Roman floor mosaic, El Djem, Tunisia Christ / Helios, Mausoleum of the Julii, mosaic, mid-3rd century, Rome

Christ / Helios, Mausoleum of the Julii, mosaic, mid-3rd century, Rome

Dura Europus, ca. 231 C.E., Syria

Dura Europus, ca. 231 C.E., destroyed 256 C.E., Syria

Dura Europus, ca. 231 C.E., Syria Christian House

The earliest surviving images of Christ St. Paul to the Corinthians: “For just as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made to live.” “Christ and St. Peter Walking on Water,” “The Good Shepherd,” Christian House, Room of the Baptistery, wall painting, Dura Europus, ca. 231 C.E., Syria

Dura Europus, ca. 231 C.E., Syria Synagogue

Torah (scroll containing the Pentateuch, the first five of the twenty-four books of the Old Testament, thought to be given by God to Moses on Mt. Sainai and at the Tabernacle, but dated 600-400 B.C.E.) Dura Europus, ca. 231 C.E., Syria Synagogue

Hieratic scale Samuel Anointing David, Dura Europus, ca. 231 C.E., Syria Synagogue

Emperor Diocletian, 284-305 C.E. Tetrarchs

312 - Battle of the Milvian Bridge, defeats Maxentius, attributes victory to Christianity 324 - Defeats co-emperor of the east, Licinius, founds Constantinople 325 - Council of Nicaea, settles disputes over Christianity, Pax Romana 337 - Constantine dies, baptized on deathbed Francisco Herrera the Elder, The Vision of Constantine, early 17th century, Seville

313 - Edict of Milan, ends persecution of Christians When I, Constantine Augustus, as well as I Licinius Augustus fortunately met near Mediolanurn [Milan], and were considering everything that pertained to the public welfare and security, we thought —, among other things which we saw would be for the good of many, those regulations pertaining to the reverence of the Divinity ought certainly to be made first, so that we might grant to the Christians and others full authority to observe that religion which each preferred; whence any Divinity whatsoever in the seat of the heavens may be propitious and kindly disposed to us and all who are placed under our rule. … When you see that this has been granted to them by us, your Worship will know that we have also conceded to other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he pleases; this regulation is made we that we may not seem to detract from any dignity or any religion.

Emperor Augustus, 1st century B.C.E – early 1st century C.E. Constantine, 315-330, Rome

Constantine, medal, 315-330, Rome Constantine, 315-330, Rome

Basilica of Maxentius, begun 308 C.E., Forum Romanum, Rome The Rome of Augustus, 1st century B.C.E – early 1st century C.E.

Basilica of Maxentius, begun 308 C.E., Forum Romanum, Rome

Basilica of Maxentius, begun 308 C.E., Forum Romanum, Rome

The Arch of Constantine, 312-315, Forum Romanum, Rome

Arch of Titus, 81 C.E., Forum Romanun, Rome The Arch of Constantine, 312-315, Forum Romanum, Rome

spolia The Arch of Constantine, 312-315, Forum Romanum, Rome

Abstract, Expressionistic, Geometrical vs. Realistic, Naturalistic The Arch of Constantine, 312-315, Forum Romanum, Rome

Abstract, Expressionistic, Geometrical vs. Realistic, Naturalistic Abstract, Expressionistic, Geometrical vs. Realistic, Naturalistic Hierarchy Constantine dispensing Largesse, The Arch of Constantine, 312-315, Forum Romanum, Rome

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, ca. 359, Rome, Vatican Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, ca. 359, Rome, Vatican Salvation / Christian Triumph

Exodus 20:3-6: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, ca. 359, Rome, Vatican

Christ Giving the Law Adam and Eve Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, ca. 359, Rome, Vatican

Chi Rho – “XP” from the Greek “XPIΣTOΣ” = Christ, Christogram symbolic of crucifixion and Christ Passion Sarcophagus, Catacomb of Domitilla, second half of the 4th century, Rome

324 - Defeats co-emperor of the east, Licinius, founds Constantinople 325 - Council of Nicaea, settles disputes over Christianity, Pax Romana 337 - Constantine dies, baptized on deathbed Francisco Herrera the Elder, The Vision of Constantine, early 17th century, Seville

Proclaims Christianity official religion of Roman Empire Missorium (silver plate) of Theodosius, 388, 29” diameter, Found in Estremadura, Spain

In the late 4th century in the West, seat of church moves to Milan, then Ravenna 410 – Visigothic chieftain Alaric conquers Rome