Mitraism Mitras is slaying the sacred bull who represents spring, releasing life-giving forces to the snake (earth), scorpion (autumn) is sapping the bull’s strength. Sun god (Helios) vs. moon godess (Luna). Religious emphasis: struggle of good vs. evil. Triumph of life over death.
Early Christian Art
Conversion of Constantine the Great in 312 CE
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES In this sign, conquer.
ma Marks the beginning of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance in the 1400s marks the end of the Middle Ages.
Milivan Bridge victory
Young Constantine With the Edict of Milan, he declared religious tolerance in 313 BC 325 BC Christianity became the official religion of the empire. By 380 Theodosius I declared it to be the sole religion and …
The western empire became the seat of Roman Catholicism The eastern empire became the seat of Eastern Orthodox
West (Rome) and East
What is Christianity? It is based on the life and the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth The Roman authorities saw him as subversive, had him arrested, tried and crucified (executed) on a cross.
Catacomb of Santissimi Pietro e Marcellino
Prefiguration Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of the whale and was released unharmed. Christ spend 3 days in the tomb before his resurrection.
Catacomb is an underground burial place Good Shepherd Orant Jonah
Basilica plan First, the basilica was a civic space for the senate to meet. Then, the plan design “stuck” and became the plan for all of the churches after Christianity was legalized.
Old St. Peter’s basilica in Rome Nave: central aisle. Trussed wooden roof. Built over St. Peter’s grave.
Sta. Costanza, Rome 350 CE
Mausoleum of Constania, Constantine’s daughter
Central plan
Ring-shaped “aisle”, domed cylindrical core, large niches, built over a catacomb.
Mosaic in apse
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, 425-450 CE
Interior, Galla Placidia, Ravenna
Orthodox baptistery, Ravenna
Orthodox Baptistery, Ravenna 400-458 CE
Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome 432-440 CE
Triumphal Arch Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
The Parting of Lot and Abraham, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, 359 CE, marble (3’10” x 8’)
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Interior of Hagia Sophia Dome on pendentive Anthenius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Christ the Pantocrator Monastery of St. Catherine, Mount Sinai, Egypt Encaustic on panel
Jacob Wrestling with and Angel Vienna Genesis, early 6th c. CE
Virgin and Child Enthroned between Saints and Angels Encaustic Late 6th c. CE Monastery of St. Catherine, Mount Sinai, Egypt
Joshua and the Emissaries from Gibeon, Joshua Roll, 950 CE, tempera on vellum, (12”)
The Crucifixion and he Iconoclasts Khludov (Chludov) Psalter, 843 CE Tempera on vellum 7 ¾” x 6”
David Composing the Psalms Melody Mountains of Bethlehem Echo
Harbaville Triptych