Chapter 2 Flashcards
How was art restricted for Jewish and Christian people?
Forbidden to display graven images
(an idol—an object or image, such as a statue, that is worshiped as the representation of a deity or god)
- Some ppl interpreted this as only three dimensional images are not allowed
(But some communities rejected art)
How did art spread?
Started in Jewish communities and spread to Christian communities
What did they find in the town of Europos (destroyed 256)?
Jewish and Christian synagogues and house churches
In the Synagogue: Art of early biblical stories (old testament)
What was the art style seen in the synagogue?
Abstracts, people and animals reduced to geometric shapes
Hieratic Scale: The more important something is, the bigger it is painted
What are the main theme of paintings in the house church?
The fall of man and salvation through christ
How did funerary art show evidence of early Jewish and Christian art?
Paintings and some sculpture are found in the underground cemeteries known as catacombs.
Commemorative services and funeral banquets took place openly in large halls and churches built above ground in the cemeteries.
What style was used in the underground chambers?
illusionistic style, modeling forms with loose, fluid brushwork and subtle colors.
What is the Catacomb of Priscilla?
veritable painting gallery filled with images of salvation. The artist could have been inspired by Jewish and Christian prayers
The mood of the catacomb paintings remains hopeful and even joyous.
What is a palm?
Emblem of victory given to a victorious athlete or a Christian martyr (one who died for their faith)
What does a dove represent?
The presence of the holy spirit
What does a Anchor represent?
Symbol of hope
How was the cross usually disguised?
mast of Jonah’s ship, a T-shaped (tau) cross, or an Egyptian looped cross (the ankh, symbol of life).
When did the “true cross” start being used?
fourth century, after Constantine’s vision and Empress Helena’s discovery of the True Cross
Explain the first and most common Christian symbol: the fish?
It signified Christ, for the word “fish,” as a cryptogram on the Greek word ichthus, spelled out the first letters of the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”
Jesus also called his disciples “fishers of man” (collecting/drawing ppl in with baptism)
In the catacomb of Priscilla, what is the nurturing image of mother and child interpreted as?
Mary and Jesus
Who might be the man pointing to a star?
Prophet Isiah foretelling birth of christ
In early Christian sculpture, how were subjects depicted?
often ambiguously
In one art Christ is depicted as a charioteer. What does this represent?
In east: Charioteer symbolized astral bodies
In Pagan: Deceased emperor
Could also represent the sun
Christ as Light of the World with Helios and cos-mic power, and Christ’s Resurrection
- Boldness could also show the world accepting Christianity more
When did Christian art flourish?
When wealthy ppl would sponsor art and began moving to churches
What aspects did early artists ignore?
Artists denied the physical world and conveyed the essence of the scene through expressive glances and gestures.
Late Roman art had become abstract Christian art also pushed it
Who is the man with the 10 scenes from old new testament on his sarcophagus?
Junius Bassus (He held high position in city government)
Who does christ look like at the sarcophagus of Junius Bassus?
Jupiter (Zeus)
Made to look like he is “handing down law” (when he made peter and paul his successors)
He is above the heavens which makes it look like jupiter
What inspired Christians when building a “house of god”?
turned to the civil basilica and the tomb for inspiration
Is the mausoleum ofConstantine’s daughter (Constantina) christian?
Her two husbands may have influenced the decoration of the tomb
A host of cupids, libation vessels, assorted birds, foliage, and the ever-present grapevine come together in a celebration that could be interpreted as either Bacchic or Christian
Have stuff in roman and Christian styles
How did art change in 5th century?
More natural proportions, and they move dramatically within an illusionistic environment. Legs and feet extend beyond the frame to thrust the figures for-ward into the viewer’s space
What is the gold and blue entrance of the galla placidia trying to convey?
White and gold stars or flowers turn the blue vaults into a vision of paradise while the dome of Heaven covers the crossing. This allusion to the celestial realm
