Early Christian and Byzantine & 11 points Flashcards
Early Christian
Stories and references to Christ
Three major categories of The Life of Jesus Christ
Incarnation, ministry, & passion
Incarnation
The events surrounding conception, birth, infancy and childhood
Ministry
Key events include the calling of the twelve apostles, performing miracles and giving sermons
Passion
The events which include Christ’s arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension
The term “Early Christian” refers to
the preserved works of the first five centuries CE
During the first 3 centuries after Christ’s death, Roman authorities banned Christian worship so they had to
dig tunnels outside of Rome and built catacombs that extended up to 90 miles
Roman Christians sometimes decorated their catacomb walls with ______ depicting _____
frescoes ; lives and teaching of Jesus
The Good Shepherd Fresco
Catacomb of Priscilla
Rome
320-340 CE
Early Christian
Christ’s form is based on Greco-Roman models
Christ stands in classical contrapposto pose and physicallyresembles a young Apollo
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
359
Chrst is shown as a teacher
Why is this significant?
-It combines Christian themes with Classical architecturla and figural elements
Two registers, 10 panls of OLD and NEW testament scenes
Sarcophagus with philosopher
Rome, Italy
270
Early Christian
Jesus is represented by two figures on the right-small child being baptized, on the left- the Shephered
1’ 11’’ x 7’ 2’’
The future ministry of Jesus is represented by the turned head of the young boy to the Shepherd and by the placement of his hand on one of the sheep.
Suicide of Judas and Crucifixion of Christ
plaque from a casket
ivory
420
Christ does not appear to be in pain bc he isdisplayed on the cross, rather than hung from it
Visually and symbolically this image was meant to show jesus as a strong leader and not prone to pain nor complete death
contrast between Jesus and Judas’ pain
Old St, Peter’s in Rome
completed by Constantine
around 324
early Christian
Basilica A-Plan Church (West)
Narthex
Side Aisles
Clerestory
Apse
nave
Santa Costanza
Rome
350 AD
Central Plan Church
Saint Sabina
Rome
422-432
Early Christian
- corinthian columns
- wooden roof
- no chairs or pues
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Ravenna
425-26
- ) Cross shaped
- ) Tower at crossing
- ) Vault resembles dome
- ) Introduces bascillican plan/ vaulted/ domed crossing
Inside:
- 3D casts shadows
- Jesus wears Gold and Purple- Gold and regal
Mosaic
Hagia Sophia
532-537
Istanbul Turkey
Byzantine
Patrons: Justinian and Theodora
“Holy Wisdom”
3 football fields long
Architects: Anthemius and Isidorus
dome is supported by pendentives
large fields of mosaic decoration in interior
Large dome with 40 windows at base- symbolic halo
Minarets (islam towers) added during Islamic period
Hagia Sophia
Squinches and Pendatives
Byzantine Basics: Three F’s and a G
Flat: figures appear flat and lacking voume as seen in classical art
Floating: 45 degree angle of figures foot
Frontal: usuallly turned toward the viewer unlike overlapping thats heavily seen in classical art
Gold Backgrounds: Christian teacings and depicting important figures than on representing the natural world
San Vitale
Ravenna
547
Comisioned by Bishop Ecclesius
Byzantine
Emperor Justinian and his Attendants
547
in church san vitle
ravenna
little deminsion
floating figures
halo shows them as a christian society and they are as close to divine as possible
Mosaic
Empress Theodora and her Attendants
enlarged eyes and flattened nose
mosaic
church of san vitale
547
Byzantine
Barbernini Ivory
6th Century
byzantine
illustrates how byzantine borrowed from symbols of classical art
figures are not porprotional
connects with conquests of Justinian with the peace of Christ
Virgin and Child Between the Saints
Icon
late 6th century
Byzantine
Theotokos- bearer of God
also known as the Seat of Wisdom
Painted with encaustic- pigmented melted wax
Harbavile Triptych
10th chentury
Byzantine
Hinges allowed them otbe transported
made of ivory
Miracle of the loaves and fishes
Mosaic
Revanna
504
Early Christian
Rebecca at the Well
illustrated manuscript
from the book of genisus
Gold and Tempera on Purple-Dyed Vellum
Early 6th Century
- oldest well pererved painted manuscript containing biblical scense
- 1st episode on left- rebecca leaves city to fetch water
- 2nd episode Rebecca gives water to elizer
City of Nahor form above Roman city areal shot
-personification of a spring in well water (classical motifs)
“Romanesque” is the first….
International style since the Roman Empire. Also known as the “Norman” style in England.
Competition among cities…
for the largest churches, which continues in the Gothic period via a “quest for height”
Masonry Stone-
the perferred medium. Craft of concrete essentially lost in this period. Rejection of wooden structures or structural elements
East end of church the focus
for liturgical services. West end for the entrance to church
Church portals as
“billboards” for scrpture or elements of faith
Cruciform plans.
Nave and transept at right angles to one another, Church as a metaphor for heaven.
Elevation of churches based on
basilican forms, but with the nave higher than the side aisles
Interiors articulated by
repetitive serios of moldings. Heavy masonry forms seem lighter with applied decoration.
Bays divide
the nave into compartments
Round-headed
arches the norm.
Small windows
in comparison to buildings to withstnd weight
