CE LATE ANTIQUE ART (AKA EARLY CHRISTIAN)

 Christianity is a prohibited religion and is practiced mostly underground. The earliest Christian works appear in catacombs and on sarcophagi.  Christian images are influenced by Constantinian artwork from the late Roman period as well as classical art (classical Greek and Roman). Subject matter is taken from the Old and New Testaments.  Christian buildings use both the axial plan (from Roman basilicas) and the central plan (Roman temples).  Other cultures flourished during this period, such as the early Jewish people. Generally Judaism prohibited narrative artistic tradition but some work is present. KEY IDEAS

 The Beginning of Christianity (condensed version):  Jesus (the Christian Prophet) is born.  Jesus founds the Christian religion.  Jesus and his followers spread their beliefs around the Roman world.  His followers continue to write about his beliefs and practices long after his death (books and letters that today make up the New Testament to the Christian Bible).  Christianity is illegal in the Roman world- Christians must hide their faith and practices or risk persecution and possible death.  Christian converts eventually become the majority in Rome.  Constantine conquers Rome in 312 CE and adopts Christianity as the state religion.  Christians can practice openly, build churches, and take important positions in the government.  Pagan religions are still practiced; they become the underground religion in Europe. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

 Christians were often persecuted and martyred (killed) in the Roman world. So obviously Christian artists find it difficult to get jobs!  Artists who worked for Christians typically created pieces for private homes and burial chambers.  Most Early Christian art comes from catacombs (underground burial crypts).  Christians were mostly poor (in the beginning, anyway) so the quality of art is unsophisticated. They often tried to mimic Classical art but were pretty sketchy in execution (quality).  Once Christianity becomes an accepted, mainstream religion, the better artists are able to join the club and things get a little fancier. PATRONAGE AND ARTISTIC LIFE

 Why catacombs?  Def- underground dirt passageways full of dead bodies. I mean, burial chambers.  They were cheaper.  Nobody saw them so you could decorate using your religious symbols.  Loculi- the dirt holes that poor people were piled in. (Literally wadded up and shoved into them)  Cubicula- mortuary chapels (fancier underground burial chambers) INNOVATIONS IN EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

 Christians adapted Roman architecture to build their religious buildings (aka- CHURCHES)  Roman basilicas (meeting halls) were modified into churches. This is called a BASILICA PLAN church. Crazy, I know.  Roman temples were modified into mausoleums. These are called CENTRAL PLAN buildings. INNOVATIONS IN EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

 The priest and the altar were in the APSE (usually elevated on a platform).  Men sat in the NAVE.  Women sat in the AISLE.  Clergy sat in the TRANCEPT.  People who wanted to convert but had not officially converted stayed in the atrium. INNOVATIONS IN EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

 Typical of religious transitions in other time periods and places, Christian art adapted existing Roman art and styles. It made for an easier transition in society. It was also a way to express dominance over previous religious elements.  Ex: turning an actual Roman temple into a Christian mausoleum,  Or using Roman elements (like columns) when building a new Christian mausoleum,  Or tearing down an old Roman temple and using the columns as part of a new Christian mausoleum. (SPOLIA)  Characteristics of Early Christian buildings  Spolia from Roman buildings  Little decoration on the outside (wanted them to look different from Roman buildings). CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE, CONT. Ex: Sculptures of important Christian figures replaced Roman gods in the Pantheon.

 Christianity in art:  Is intensely narrative  Images come from various books of the Old and New Testaments  Recurring episodes (familiar narratives) are present  The Evangelists are recurring figures INNOVATIONS IN EARLY CHRISTIAN PAINTINGS

 Catacombs paintings show an attempt towards artistry  Jesus as a central image  Usually include groups of biblical images  Paintings are often part of lunettes or niches  As an underground religious image, Christ is seen as “The Good Shepherd”  As an official religion of the Roman Empire, Christ is as an imperial figure (purple robes, gold attributes, halo resembling the sun king, etc.  Christian mosaics  Made of gold, glass, or other precious materials (Roman mosaics were made of rock, remember?)  Glimmer and sparkle- alludes to the mystery and other-worldliness of God/Christ. CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY CHRISTIAN PAINTINGS

 Sculpture was the last tradition art form converted over to Christian images.  Christians were hesitant to have their religion identified with anything strongly reminiscent of pagan religions.  Ivory and marble statues tended to stay small in size (to avoid resembling Roman statues of gods that were worshipped) and were usually for personal use, not displayed publically.  Sculpture focused on the spiritual message of the piece or the clarity of the narrative being told, NOT the classical proportions of the figures or individual expressions. CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY CHRISTIAN SCULPTURE

 Greek Chapel LATE ANTIQUE EUROPE: CATACOMB OF PRISCILLA / TUFA AND FRESCO/ ROME, ITALY

 Orant Fresco LATE ANTIQUE EUROPE: CATACOMB OF PRISCILLA / TUFA AND FRESCO/ ROME, ITALY

 Good Shepherd Fresco LATE ANTIQUE EUROPE: CATACOMB OF PRISCILLA / TUFA AND FRESCO/ ROME, ITALY

 Exterior LATE ANTIQUE EUROPE: SANTA SABINA / BRICK AND STONE WITH WOODEN ROOF/ ROME, ITALY

 Interior LATE ANTIQUE EUROPE: SANTA SABINA / BRICK AND STONE WITH WOODEN ROOF/ ROME, ITALY

 Floor plan LATE ANTIQUE EUROPE: SANTA SABINA / BRICK AND STONE WITH WOODEN ROOF/ ROME, ITALY