Early Christian Part 2

Figure 11-9 Interior of Santa Costanza, Rome, Italy, ca. 337–351.

The Roman prototype Here was the central-plan Mausoleum… Figure 11-10 Longitudinal section (top) and plan (bottom) of Santa Costanza, Rome, Italy, ca. 337–351.

Figure 11-11 Detail of vault mosaic in the ambulatory of Santa Costanza, Rome, Italy, ca. 337–351. Symbols with Christian and pagan connotations

Figure 11-11 Detail Close detail of 2 oxen pulling cart with grapes © 2005 Saskia Cultural Documentation, Ltd.

Figure 11-11 Closer detail 4th c Figure 11-11 Closer detail 4th c. Ambulatory vault Mosaics: closer view of decorative roundels with putti and birds © 2005 Saskia Cultural Documentation, Ltd.

Figure 11-12 Christ as Sol Invictus, detail of a vault mosaic in the Mausoleum of the Julii, Rome, Italy, late third century. Imperial power language Slips to the Christ image

Figure 11-13 The parting of Lot and Abraham, mosaic in the nave of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy, 432–440. Head clusters (crowd), hierarchy of scale, setting and costume (this time/this place), Solidity/shadows of the figures (of this world) lack of connection to ground (of the spiritual) Flatness and frontality (these are symbols of a sacred idea)

Figure 11-14 Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy, ca. 425. Cruciform plan: the plan from above is in the shape of a cross Figure 11-14 Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy, ca. 425.

Figure 11-14 Alternate View Closer view from the East © 2005 Saskia Cultural Documentation, Ltd.

Transition from banal outer world to glorious spiritual inner world……this Is a supernatural experience in its time…. Figure 11-15 Christ as the Good Shepherd, mosaic from the entrance wall of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy, ca. 425.

Figure 11-16 Interior of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy, dedicated 504.

Figure 11-17 Miracle of the loaves and fishes, mosaic from the top register of the nave wall (above the clerestory windows) of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy, ca. 504. Spiritual gold background