Medieval Medieval ArtArt

Early Christian

Art

Historical Background

• From the 3rd - 7th century

• Early Christianity grew apart from Judaism and established itself as a predominantly gentile religion

• Prior to 200 Christians may have been constrained by their position as a persecuted group from producing durable works of art

Art Forms• Sculptures/Carvings/Relief• Wall Paintings• Architecture (Basilica)

Mediums• Sculpture/Carvings/Relief

– Marble, Bronze, Ivory, Ceramic

• Wall PaintingsA.) Mosaic - Small Pieces of Colored Glass and StonesB.) Fresco - Egg (Tempera), Glue, Oil

Artists• There are no known artists during this period.

St. John Lateran (San Giovanni) Basilica

Semiotic Iconic Contextual

Title: St. John Lateran (San Giovanni) BasilicaArchitect: Unknown

Medium: Coarse Brick and Stone

Size: N/A

Location: Rome

Collection: N/A

Value Prize: N/A

N/A Meaning:

Purpose: For ceremonial privileges by the pope.

Anchor, fish, and

Chi-Rho symbols

Semiotic Iconic Contextual

Title: Anchor, fish, and Chi-Rho symbolsArtist: Unknown

Medium: Soft Marble Tombstone

Size: N/A

Location: Catacombs of St. Sebastian

Collection: N/A

Value Prize: N/A

Subject: Anchor, Fish, Chi-Rho

Type: CarvingSource: History, Sacred Oriental Text

Description: Anchor and fish, tomb slab from Catacomb of Domitilla, Rome, 3rd century A.D.

Meaning: The anchor expresses the firm expectation of eternal life that we Christians enjoy. The fish depicts men who have been caught by Christ and his apostles. Chi and Rho are the first two letters (ΧΡ) of "Christ" in Greek.

Purpose: Expression of Faith and Expectation of Eternal Life

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

Semiotic Iconic ContextualTitle: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

Artist: Unknown

Medium: marble

Size: Base: 4 x 8 x 4 ft.

Location: Museum of Saint Peter's Basilica

Collection: N/A

Value Prize: N/A

Subject: Saint Michael

Type: Carving

Source: Sacred Oriental Text

Description: the single most famous piece of early Christian relief sculpture

Meaning: Importance of a converted roman senator.

Purpose: Burial of Junius Bassus.

Christ as the Good Shepherd

Semiotic Iconic Contextual

Title: Christ as the Good ShepherdArtist: Unknown

Medium: Tesserae

Size: N/A

Location: Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna

Collection: N/A

Value Prize: N/A

Subject: Jesus Christ and the Sheep

Type: Apse Mosaic

Source: Sacred Oriental Text

Description: This Good Shepherd has a large golden halo, wears a royal purple mantle over a golden tunic, and holds a tall cross. On either side of him are two groups of three sheep, who look peaceful and gaze up at their Shepherd.

Meaning: Jesus always takes care of his sheep, his people. He’s ready to guard them from any evil.

Purpose: Reminder of Jesus’ role: To give life and protect from destruction.

Good Shepherd

Semiotic Iconic Contextual

Title: Good Shepherd

Artist: Unknown

Medium: Tempera, Glue, Oil

Size: N/A

Location: Catacomb of Callixtus, Rome

Collection: N/A

Value Prize: N/A

Subject: Christ

Type: Fresco

Source: Sacred Oriental Text

Description: This fresco shows a figure identified with the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14. The Shepherd holds the lost sheep upon his shoulders as two other sheep look on with rapt attention. What is left of the chipping plaster shows paints of an earthy green and brown.

Meaning: The figure of the Good Shepherd resembles earlier shepherd figures in pagan Classical art that represent benevolence and philanthropy. Additional meaning would have been ascribed to the figure by early Christian viewers in the context of Christ's phrase "I am the shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep," and St John the Baptist's description of Christ as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.“

Purpose: Manifestation of God’s love.