Early Christian Art Characteristics
serves a new purpose initially simple architecture,
ambiguous subjects eventually monumental architecture under
imperial sponsorship common subjects: OT, life of Jesus,
Apostles, and saints
Name
Date
Period
Location
House-Church
240-256 CE
Early Christian
Dura-Europos, Syria
Demonstrative
hidden architecture roman house altered
Innovative
house-church--altered a Roman house to hold people in the
meeting room Baptistery-- Christian imagery
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
The Good Shepard, the story of Jonah and Orants, Catacombs of Saints
Peter and Marcellinus
early 4th century CE
Early Christian
Rome, Italy
frescoed ceiling
Demonstrative
subject of Christianity nonspecific
generalization
Continuity
painted tomb interior-- tomb of leopards Christ's
pose-- Shown as the Good Shepard
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
359 CE
Early Christian
Rome, Italy
marble
Demonstrative
Christian subjects
Innovative
architectural framing of scenes
Name
Date
Period
Location
Old St. Peter's Basilica
319 CE
Early Christian
Rome, Italy
Parts of the church
semicircle-- apse
3-- altar
4-- transept
1-- nave
2-- side aisles
Demonstrative
monumental architecture imperial government:
Constantine roman style for christian
Continuity
basilica plan church -- Constantine's Basilica Nova
Name
Date
Period
Location
Santa Costanza
337-351 CE
Early Christian
Rome, Italy
Label parts of church
top left -- ambulatory
bottom left -- columns
right -- narthex
Demonstrative
imperial sponsor
Continuity
Roman form turned Christian-- Panthenon Central plan
church
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Christ as Good Shepard, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
425 CE
Early Christian
Ravenna, Italy
mosaic
Demonstrative
Christian elite
Innovative
Christ in imperial garb-- constantine sculpture
Continuity
Christ as Good Shepard