Early Christian Art

Christianty

a monolithic religion based on the teaching of Jesus, a Jew from the Roman province Judea, emphasizing salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ.

Mosaics

patter, texture, visual opulence in architectural settings

Manuscripts

intricate patterns of text and imagery, often illuminated, created by hand in the Middle Ages.

Monotheism

one godbelief in a single deity, rejecting polytheism.

Islam

a monotheistic religion based on the revelations of the prophet Muhammed, originating in the 7th century C.E.

Constantine The Great

established Christianity as the state of the religion of the Roman Empire 4th century C.E.

Byzantine Empire

as the Roman Empire started to dissipate, the land was split leaving most of the east to the Byzantine Empire

Church of San Vitale

Ravenna 6th century C.E.

Peacock

symbolizes resurrection and eternal life in Early Christian art

-believed that peacock flesh never rotted

Justinian, Bishop Maximianus, and his Attendants, North wall of the apse,  Church of San Vitale,

• Justinian is seen with his subjects in Tyrian purple

• he is holding a bowl which would hold bread for commune

• his attendants are also seen with a stripe of purple on their clothing as a way to show they are in a high position

Theodora and Attendants, South wall of the apse

Church of San Vitale

Theodora is depicted with her attendants, wearing luxurious garments and a halo, symbolizing her status as empress. She holds a chalice, representing her role in the communion service.

• Theodora is also wearing Tyrian purple in the same fash as Justinian and his attendants

Scriptorium

a studio for writing

Montastory

a house or place of residence occupied by a community of persons, especially monks, living in seclusion under religious vows

Book of Kells

800 ca, Ireland

Medival Period (400-1400 C.E.)

named that as it was between the high points of Ancient Greece & Rome, along with Renaissance & Reformation

Chi Rho Lota Page (book of kells)

• only has one sentence, which is involved in the design

• refers to god with the use of 3 as the holy trinity

• two cats on opposite sides, in between two mice and a wafer in between

map

Ravenna, Italy

map

Ireland