1. Let’s Review… Greek and Roman Art

2. Remember this?
What is it?
Why?

3. Remember Greek and Roman Sculptures
Remember Greek and Roman Sculptures? What are some of the key characteristics?

4. How do you describe architectural characteristics from the Greek and Roman period?

5. Early Christian Art Slides # 1-3

6. Early Christian Period
Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity with a law called the Edict of Milan in 325 AD.
Before the Edict of Milan, the Christian faith had to be practiced in secret to avoid persecution (punishment by torture or death).
Christians would meet in each other’s homes or catacombs to worship; after the Edict of Milan they could start to build public churches.
The Christian Church began to grow as the power and influence of the Roman Empire gradually declined.

7. Terminology Façade – Front of a building
Tessarae - the little pieces of coloured glass, that are used to create an image.
Mosaic – a work of art made from small pieces of marble or tessarae.
Fresco – painting on wet plaster
Catacombs – underground burial places
Sarcophagus – a stone coffin, often elaborately decorated.
Stylized – When images are less realistic and somewhat simplified (e.g. saint’s clothing).
Relief – sculptural carvings on a surface that show depth but are not totally 3-D like a sculpture / statue.

8. The Early Christian Basilica Plan
on terminology handout
Basilica – a long rectangular hall, used by Romans as public meeting places – adapted to churches.
Apse – semi-circular chapel at the end of the nave used for the throne of the bishop and the altar.
Nave – centre aisle of the church.
Arcade – a series of arches and columns supporting them (supporting the walls).
Side Aisle – Walkway of a church running parallel to the nave, separated by piers or columns.
Clerestory – Upper part of a nave containing windows that illuminate the interior of the church.

9. Early Christian Characteristics:
Medieval artisans were interested in the soul, NOT the beauty of the body like the Greek and Romans.
Nudes were forbidden.
Plain on the outside but beautiful on the inside.
Art was symbolic / realism was not important
Earliest Christian art found is in Catacombs
Compared to Roman mosaics (which are marble), these mosaics are reflective, found on ceilings, & placed unevenly so they would sparkle (due to use of glass & gold leaf).

10. Exterior facade of St. Apollinare in Classe.

12. Floor plan and cross sections of Sant’Apollinare in Classe

13. Interior of St. Apollinare in Classe.

15. Another Interior image of St. Apollinare in Class.

16. St. Apollinare in Classe. (522-549) Ravenna, Italy.
Plain on the outside but beautiful on the
inside symbolizes their belief that the soul
is more important than a person’s
exterior.
Forms of decoration:
mosaics
images are symbolic
(realism was not important)
symbol of the Good Shepard
Borrowed Architectural Features:
rounded arches
columns
New Architectural Feature:
Bell Tower

19. 2. The Good Shepherd. (4th century) Catacombs of St. Peter’s and St
2. The Good Shepherd. (4th century) Catacombs of St. Peter’s and St. Marcellinus. Rome, Italy.
The Good Shepherd is a commonly used symbol to represent Christ.
Meaning: Christ will leave his flock in order to help the one who has gone astray.
Forms of decoration:
-this image is a marble statue
-images are always symbolic during this time period
-also seen as a fresco (painting on wet plaster)

20. Tell me what you see. What do you think this is?

21. 3. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus. (359) marble.
Purpose:
a stone coffin
the deceased shows his faith
Forms of decoration:
high relief
images of the Old and New Testament
Borrowed Architectural Features:
rounded arches
columns