Early Christian Culture

Christianity and the Arts Music Associated with paganism so banned from Christian worship Associated with paganism so banned from Christian worship Vocal music Vocal music Gregorian chants Gregorian chants Plainchant (plainsong) Plainchant (plainsong) Monophonic until the 12th century Monophonic until the 12th centuryTheater Actors could not be baptized Actors could not be baptized Theater virtually disappeared until the 10th century Theater virtually disappeared until the 10th century

Gregorian Chant “Alleluya, vidimus stellam” What to listen for: Monophonic texture Monophonic texture No instruments No instruments Wavelike tones Wavelike tones Narrow range Narrow range Responsorial (solo followed by chorus) Responsorial (solo followed by chorus)

“O Successores” Hildegard of Bingen ( ) O successores fortissimi leonis inter templum et altare— dominantes in ministratione eius— sicut angeli sonant in laudibus, et sicut adsunt populis in adiutorio, vos estis inter illos, qui haec faciunt, sempter curam habentes in officio agni. You successors of the mightiest lion between the temple and the altar you the masters in his household as the angles sound forth praises and are here to help the nations, you are among those who accomplish this, forever showing your care in the service of the lamb.

Early Christian Art

Painted Ceiling, 4th C. AD. Catacombs of SS. Pietra Early Christian art found mostly in catacombs Similar to Roman painting, but more symbolic Circles suggest the dome of heaven Old & New Testament imagery

Catacombs

Sarcophagus of Julius Bassus, 359 CE Sculpture took a secondary role during early Christian art

Old St. Peter’s, Begun 333 CE Roman Basilicas served as a model for new Churches

Large, uninterrupted interior Imperial feel that linked Christianity with its new role as state religion

San Vitale of Ravenna, Italy Byzantine in design Byzantine in design Mosaic representations of Bible stories Mosaic representations of Bible stories Christ depicted as royalty Christ depicted as royalty Second story gallery for female worshippers Second story gallery for female worshippers Mosaics of Justinian and Theodora Mosaics of Justinian and Theodora Combines Royal power and Church power Combines Royal power and Church power

San Vitale

Justinian with Bishop Maximian, clergy, courtiers, and soldiers. Justinian with Bishop Maximian, clergy, courtiers, and soldiers.

Theodora with courtiers Theodora with courtiers

Christ as the Good Shepherd Mosaic, Ravenna.

Vienna Genesis, 6th C, CE Illuminated Manuscripts Prototypes of mosaics were illustrated manuscripts Duplication of holy text on a vast scale

Vienna Genesis, 6th C. CE Illuminated Manuscritps Written in silver (now turned black) on purple vellum Brilliantly colored illustrations

The Ascension, folio 13v, Rabbula Gospels, 586. Scenes from the Book of Kings, folio 1 r, Quedlinburg Italia, c

Aberdeen Bestiary Aberdeen Bestiary. (Left – Jesus; Right – Phoenix rising).

Hagia Sophia Architects: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus Architects: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus Built in 6 years. Built in 6 years. Domed basilica – rectangular hall with a dome in the center Domed basilica – rectangular hall with a dome in the center Pendentive construction. Pendentive construction. Dome: 180 feet in height Dome: 180 feet in height

Hagia Sophia

Christ 6th century Painted wooden panel St Catherine's Monastery, Sinai

Image of Madonna and Child