Upload
rachel-arandilla
View
2.099
Download
6
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Early Christian Art
EARLY CHRISTIAN ART
Early Christian Art
Byzantine Art
Early Christianity
One, the decision of Apostle Paul to spread Christianity beyond the Jewish communities of Palestine and into the Greco-Roman World.
Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, Rome
Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity and became its patron
During Roman Empire
Roman empire
Christian art was necessarily and deliberately ambiguous
using pagan imagery but had special meaning for Christians
Earliest surviving Christian Art are in the walls of Christian tombs in the catacombs of Rome
Hercules killing the serpent - Jesus triumphing over Satan
Peacock - ‘resurrection’
Fall of the Roman Empire
After the Eastern capital was established in 330 AD, Roman Empire functioned as two separate sections, East and West
In the West, emperors gradually lost their influence and prestige. Soon, The West fell to Barbarian Invaders.
Emperors lost their power. The church, governed by popes, assumed its place as the central authority in the West.
Decline of Roman empIre
During the decline of the Roman Empire, a new source of power was born: The Christian Church
Church was the dominating power
Characteristics of Christian Art
Characteristics
Early Christian artists show little interest in the beauty strength and grace of the human body.
Main intention is to illustrate the power and glory of Christ
Christian art was meant to tell the story of Christ’s life here on earth.
Why did Early Christian Art Develop?
Importance of images in the Greco-Roman culture
Aside from images, changes in burial practices have changed from cremation to inhumation
SymbolsEarly Christian Art
Ichthys
Ichthys (ΙΧΘΥΣ) translates to ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior’
I (iota) is the first letter of Iēsous, Greek for ‘Jesus’
Chi (ch) is the first letter of Christos, Greek for ‘Anointed’
Theta (th) is first letter of Theou, Greek for ‘God’s’
Ypsilon (y) is the first letter of yios, Greek for ‘Son’
Sigma (s) is the first letter of Soter, Greek for ‘Savior’
Ephesus
Peacock
The Good Shepherd
Anchor
Dove
Chi rho
xP
combined Greek letters used as a monogram
Frescoes
Frescoes
Churches then were normal houses converted as a place of worship
Frescoes portray simple Biblical scenes
Jonah Vomited from the Whale,Catacomb of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter,
3rd century Rome
Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Noah Praying in the Ark
Moses striking the rock in the desert
Catacomb of Domitilla
Three Hebrews in the Furnace
architecture
Architecture
Under imperial sponsorship, Early Christian architecture flourished throughout the empire on a monumental scale
Two Building Types:
Longitudinal Hall or Basilica
Centralized Building or Baptistry, Martyrium or Mausoleum
1. BasilicaThe basilica is an ancient Roman building type which early Christian churches were based
It has a long central hall, separated from side isles by rows of columns
Nave or Bema or Apse - raised platform where the altar typically stood
Roofed porch or narthex - where people enter
Atrium - square courtyard
Old Saint Peter’s
Basilica Plan
Saint AppolLinareRavenna, Italy
Church of Nativity
Church of nativity
2. Centralized Building
Baptisteries, mausoleums, and martyria or martyr shrines were built in centralized form
Circular or polygonal
The object of veneration visible to the faithful from the cloister or aisle circling the site.
Santa Constanza, RomeMausoleum, 354 AD
Mosaics
Mosaic - decoration with small pieces of glass and stone set in cement.
Walls are richly decorated with mosaics, placed on walls where lights from windows and candles caused them to flicker and glow mysteriously.
Galla Placidia MausoleumRavenna, Italy
Sta. Pudenziana, RomeApse Mosaic
Meanwhile in Byzantium...
In 285, Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire between eastern and western halves.
Emperor Constantine I transferred eastern capital from Nicomedia to Byzantium which became Constantinople
Constantinople ‘City of Constantine’ or ‘New Rome’.
Meanwhile in Byzantium...
Eastern part of the Roman Empire remained strong and unified, it continued to thrive for another millennium.
Constantinople, the capital became the largest city in the medieval world and a great cultural center with grand public buildings and art treasures.
The art glorified Christian religion
Justinian I reconquered most of western Mediterranean including north Africa, Italy and Rome
Byzantine Art
Byzantine Architecture
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia or ‘Holy Wisdom’ was built in Constantinople (now Istanbul) between 532 and 537 under Emperor Justinian I.
Innovative Byzantine technology allowed Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus to design a basilica with an immense dome over an open, square space.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia’s most impressive feature is the huge dome. The dome rests on 4 huge piers, massive vertical pillars that support arches made of cut stone.
It is the finest example of a centrally planned Byzantine church.
Hagia Sophia
Use of piers and arches for the dome allows erection of thinner walls and more windows to light the interior of the church
Four pedentives support the dome’s great weight, triangular portions at the corners of each arch.
Hagia Sophia
served as a former Orthodox basilica, seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Roman Catholic cathedral, mosque, and now as a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.
epitome of Byzantine architecture.
Hagia Sophia
After Constantinople was conquered by Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmed II, the building was subsequently converted to a mosque.
Bells, altar, iconostasis, sacrificial vessels were removed
mosaics were plastered over
Islamic features such as the mihrab, minbar and minarets were added.
Characteristics of Byzantine Art
The most salient feature is the Byzantine ‘abstract’ or anti-naturalistic character
Abandoned realistic attempt in favor for symbolism.
Subject matter: Primarily religious and imperial
Mosaics in Hagia Sophia
Mosaics are large and brilliantly colored
One mosaic shows the Virgin Mary and Christ Child between two figures.
The left figure is Emperor Justinian carrying a small church, while Emperor Constantine is bearing a small city.
The message of the mosaic clearly tells the emperors are proclaiming the loyalty and dedication of the church and state to the Virgin and Christ.
Christ Pantocrator in the upper southern gallery of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople
He is flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.
12th century
Mosaic of Justinian I
Ravenna, Italy
Ravenna
In the Italian city of Ravenna, Byzantine style was still obvious.
Ravenna became the Western Capital, isolated and safe refuge from barbarian invaders.
Captured in 476 AD but recaptured by Justinian in 540 AD.
San Vitale ChurchRavenna, Italy
San Vitalle Church
526-547 AD, built under Emperor Justinian I.
Characteristics: domed, centralized, octagonal core
San Vitale Interior
Choir and Apse
Emperor with the archbishop, deacons, soldiers and attendants
Body language = bishop is leader of all people, including emperor
Theodora and her attendants
Halo around their heads = symbol of virtue and innocence
Galla PlacidaRavenna, Italy