Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, 12e Chapter 11 Pagans, Christians, and Jews: The Art of Late Antiquity

Europe and the Near East in Late Antiquity

Goals Understand how Roman art and architecture is changed as a result of Christianity and the decisions of Constantine Understand the concept of “synchonism” in early Christian art. Understand the different media used to create early Christian art. Know and cite artistic and architectural terminology from the period.  

Late Antiquity: Duros Europos Why was the town of Duros-Europos important? It was a Roman garrison town in Syria with both Jewish and early Christian communities. The Synagogue: Narrative wall paintings: [246-256 CE] How do they get around the proscription against “graven images”? [2nd commandment] “Yaweh” is shown as only a hand.

Late Antiquity: Duros Europos Moses and the Burning Bush

The Christian community house: [240-256 CE] ** A modest second-hand house -- Meeting area, baptistery and upstairs dining room. ** persecuted until Constantine; often the poor of society.; wouldn’t even pay lip service to official Roman gods.

Catacombs [3 & 4th cen. CE] Subterranean networks of galleries and chambers designed as cemeteries for the Christian dead, many of them sainted martyrs. [They also housed the graves of Jews and other groups, to a lesser extent.] Placed outside the city walls, hollowed out of “tufa” bedrock. “ad catacumbus” – “in the hollows” May have run for 60-90 miles underground. Source of early Christian paintings. Elements: Galleries, loculi [shelves], cubicula [chapels/house of the living] Would build a new gallery when the first was full etc…

Catacombs [3 & 4th cen. CE] Similar to painting in “spoke-wheel” vault at Ostia. Lunettes contain story of Jonah? Why? Prefiguration of Christ’s resurrection.

Jewish Subjects in Christian Art Why are there so many Old Testament references? Jesus was a Jew. Used as prefiguration of the coming & life/death of Jesus Jesus himself used these stories in his parables. Examples: Jonah: prefiguration of Christ’s resurrection. Abraham & the 3 angels: taken to symbolize Holy Trinity Sacrifice of Isaac: Prefiguration of sacrifice of God’s only son for us. Daniel: A salvation tale, precursor of Christ’s triumph over death. Adam & Eve: “Original Sin” led to Christ’s sacrifice.

The Changing Image of Christ Period of Persecution: “The Good Shepherd,” a youthful and loyal protector of the Christian flock. A teacher or learned philosopher. Period of Recognition: Halo Purple robe Throne.

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus: ca. 359 Identify the stories …

Christ Seated ca. 350-375 What is unusual about this statue? Retained Greco-Roman habits – “idols” or statues of the gods. Early & rare “in the round” statue.

Architecture: From Basilica to Church Once Constantine recognized Christianity, the need for churches arose. Located on outskirts to avoid conflict with the official religion. The early churches took over the form of the Roman basilica or meeting hall. Old St. Peter’s Rome, ca. 320

Santa Constanza, ca 337-351 How does the Church of Santa Costanza differ from basilican churches? It has a central plan, where the building’s parts are all of equal dimension around the center; in this case round. Byzantium takes over this model and develops it fully.

Santa Constanza, ca 337-351 -- MOSAICS Christ as Sol Invictus. [pagan sun god] represented in a vineyard – another pre-Christian reference to harvest festivals. From Bacchus to the Eucharist

Abraham & Lot: Santa Maria Maggiore ca. 432-440 Part of an Old testament cycle– first major church in the West dedicated to the Virgin Mary after the Council of Ephesus that named her “Mother of God” Departure of Abraham’s son, Lot for Sodom. Uses “head cluster” and unambiguous gestures and glances.

Ravenna’s Mosaics After founding of Constantinople in 324, the empire begins to fall apart. After Constantine’s death, Christianity grows and in 380 is named as state religion. Under threat of barbarian invasion, capital of the West Empire moved from Milan to Ravenna. Mosaic: First made from beach pebbles. Romans used marble; creating complex volumes and images. Christians used glass “tesserae” [Latin for cubes or dice] to imitate the brilliance of paintings. Size could be adjusted as desired. Color was placed, not blended. Larger pieces because viewed at a distance.

Mausoleum of Galla Placida ca. 425 Cruciform [cross shaped] structure; barrel-vaulted “arms” and a tower at the crossing. Fusion of central and longitudinal plans. Mosaics cover the interior.

Mausoleum of Galla Placida ca. 425 Above the entrance: Christ, The Good Shepherd What elements of Christian iconography do you see? What is still rooted in the Greco-Roman tradition?

Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, 504 Theodoric’s Palace-Church: Upper two zones of Mosaics date from his time.

Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, 504 Loaves & Fishes: Stylistic changes from Galla Placida: No details of event – focus has shifted to the holy character, the power of Christ’s divinity A “miracle” takes it out of time and events. Almighty power rather than narrative is the focus Least number of figures. Placed in a shadow box, no landscape Heavenly gold, not sky blue Roman illusionism is gone. [cf. less folds]

Illuminated Manuscripts – Luxury Goods Vienna Genesis is the oldest well-preserved manuscript. [early 6th cen.] Made from calfskin, dyed with rich purple; Greek text is written in silver ink. Rebecca & Eliezer: Used Roman conventions; water is personified. Simple yet convincing details.

Vienna Genesis The Temptation of Joseph [Potiphar’s wife]

Rossano Gospels: Greek, early 6th cen. Jesus being brought before Pilate: Christian iconography is more developed by now. Christ as a bearded adult. Presented as a continuous narrative. [multiple events placed in the same frame]

Ivory Carving A century before The Rossano Gospels ivory panels were made with carved scenes from the life of Christ, most often placed on boxes. Suicide of Judas & Crucifixion: What message would you get viewing this? How is Christ represented? The two Marys and two soldiers at the open door of the Tomb.

Yet the pagan gods endured … Diptych ca. 400: possibly commemorating a marriage. Woman on right is sacrificing at an altar to a pagan god.

Discussion Questions Why are the wall paintings at Dura Europos important to understanding the art of the Late Antique (Roman) and Early Christian time periods? What visual characteristics of earlier pagan funerary art are seen in Christian art from this period? Does the context change? What might one speculate as reasons for the absence of a crucified Christ in Early Christian art?