UNIT3

Catacombs of Priscilla

Rome, Italy. c. 200–400 C.E. Tufa + fresco

Form

• Subterranean passageways, cubicula, arched ceilings

• Frescoes in buon fresco

• Roman style: frontal figures, hierarchical scale

Historical Context

• Early Christian art, Rome

• Time of persecution, underground worship

• Wealthy patron Priscilla

• Blend of Roman + Christian imagery

Content

• Good Shepherd, Jonah, miracles of Christ

• Earliest Virgin Mary + Child image

• Salvation, resurrection, eternal life

• Over 40,000 tombs, martyrs

Function

• Christian burial site

• Family commemoration of dead

• Worship and prayer space

• Affirmation of salvation and eternal life

 The Vienna Genesis, Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well

Early Byzantine, Syria. c. 6th century C.E. Illuminated manuscript, purple-dyed vellum, silver ink

Form

• Illuminated manuscript, continuous narrative

• Silver ink on purple-dyed vellum

• Classical style: naturalistic figures, flowing drapery

• Small scale, detailed, luxury materials

Historical Context

• Early Byzantine period

• Christian manuscript for wealthy patrons

• Preservation of classical Roman artistic traditions

• Produced in a Christian scriptorium

Content

• Story of Rebecca and Eliezer (Genesis 24)

• Continuous narrative: multiple moments in one scene

• Figures in landscape with architectural elements

• Themes of divine guidance, marriage, providence

Function

• Luxury devotional object

• Instruction in biblical stories

• Display of wealth and piety

• Aid to meditation and teaching

San Vitale

Ravenna, Italy. 526–547 C.E. Early Byzantine. Brick, marble, mosaic

Form

• Central-plan church, octagonal shape

• Dome, clerestory windows

• Interior: marble columns, mosaics with gold backgrounds

• Use of tesserae for shimmering effect

Historical Context

• Early Byzantine period, under Emperor Justinian I

• Ravenna as a Byzantine administrative center in Italy

• Christianity as state religion

• Blend of Roman architectural techniques + Eastern decoration

Content

• Interior mosaics: Emperor Justinian + attendants, Empress Theodora + court

• Biblical scenes: Christ, angels, saints

• Symbolism of imperial + divine authority

Function

• Place of Christian worship

• Showcase of imperial power and piety

• Commemoration of saints (St. Vitalis)

• Expression of divine authority on earth

Santa Sabina

Rome, Italy. 422–432 C.E. Early Christian. Brick, stone, wooden roof

Form

• Basilica plan, longitudinal nave

• Wooden roof, clerestory windows

• Marble columns, plain exterior, decorated interior

• Rounded arches, simple, elegant design

Historical Context

• Early Christian period, post-Constantine legalization of Christianity

• Roman basilica adapted for Christian worship

• Reflects early Christian emphasis on interior space for congregational worship

Content

• Nave with aisles, altar, apse

• Original mosaics (now mostly lost)

• Symbolism of light and space

• Christian iconography focused on Eucharist and salvation

Function

• Christian worship and liturgy

• Community gathering space

• Teaching Christian beliefs through architecture and decoration

• Example of early Christian adaptation of Roman architecture

Great Mosque of Córdoba

Córdoba, Spain. Umayyad dynasty. 785–786 C.E. Stone masonry

Form

• Hypostyle hall with double-tiered horseshoe arches

• Reused Roman/Visigoth columns (spolia)

• Mihrab with intricate mosaics, gold tesserae

• Courtyard with fountain, minaret (later bell tower)

Historical Context

• Built under Umayyad dynasty after fleeing Damascus

• Córdoba as Islamic capital in al-Andalus

• Fusion of Roman, Visigothic, Islamic forms

• Later converted to Christian cathedral after Reconquista

Content

• Prayer hall with rhythmic arches

• Mihrab niche richly decorated, geometric + vegetal motifs

• Kufic calligraphy, no figural imagery

• Symbol of paradise, light, infinity

Function

• Place of Islamic worship (salat)

• Political + religious symbol of Umayyad power

• Demonstration of cultural + artistic blending

• Later Christian cathedral (continuity + transformation)