6.1- Early Christian Art

Edict of Milan 313 CE

Legalized Christianity. Granted all people in the Roman Empire freedom to worship whatever God. (passed by Emperor Constantine)

• Previously, Christianity had been seen as a cult and Christians were persecuted for practicing Christianity.

papacy established 600 ce

when was papacy established? Pope Gregory (Rome) establishes the papacy and political power.

Fall of Rome

• 410 Ce Visgoths sack Rome

• Ravenna become capital of western Roman Empire (under Honorius)

• 476 CE fall of western Roman Empire; Odoacer conquers Italy

• Ravenna capital the Ostrogothic kingdom

392 CE

By what year is Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire?

Distinctive characteristics of Christianity

1. Christianity:  resulting in a rapid growth of religion from humble beginnings 

   =necessity of didactic art work in sacred spaces.

2. Christian is congregational with shared prayer, sermons, sacraments, confession

   =large assembly halls needed for worship (congregation)

3. Christian has very specific burial requirements (preserving body)=catacombs and sarcophagi are necessary

4. Christianity’s central appeal:  mysticism and miracles are cornerstones of the faith =images, storytelling leading to the controversy of Iconoclasts vs iconodules

Early christian appropriation of Greek and Roman

why did early Christians churches appropriate Greek and Roman art?

Early Christian church appropriates Greek and Roman forms of architecture, sculpture, painting, mosaics for purposes of illustrating the above characteristics of Christianity.

Roman and Hellenistic Styles

What was the early Christian Art initially dependent on?

christian art

• churches

• catacombs

• book illustrations/ manuscripts

• sculptors made marble sarcophagi

  • mosaics- favored medium for church decoration

what christian Architecture adapted from

prototype for developments in Christian architecture- adapted from Roman basilica

atrium

court partly open to the sky

narthex

entrance hall porch, preceding nave (usually on west)

alter

toward east interior division of space

nave

central area of church marked by piers of columns

side aisles

common space for people to walk

transepts

part of church with the axes that crosses the nave

clerestory

windows allowing to illuminate the nave

Baldacchino

a canopy of columns, often covering an alter or the crossing

function of Old St.Peters

• Church

• Pilgrimage shrine

• Containing relics of a holy person

• Grave site

• Funeral hall-burial place

• Holds 14,000 worshippers

• Remained largest of Christian churches until 11^th century

Old St. Peters patron

It was Constantine who supported and decided to build Old St. Peter’s which was built over grave site of Saint Peter and used for worship.

Exterior and Interior Symbolism

• EXTERIOR-plain brick 

• INTERIOR-Adorned with precious materials marble Roman columns, mosaics, frescoes

was symbolic because it was a reminder that the beauty of the inner spirit is more important than external physical beauty

St. Peter

was Rome’s first bishop and head of popes that extends to the present.

• his bones supposedly lie below marked nave (catacombs)

Why Constantine legalized christianity

Constantine realized the unifying strength that the newly recognized religion could bring him.

• many privileges including tax exemptions and donations were granted to the church

Constantine’s actions after legalizing christianity

Constantine (324 CE) began building many religious structures. He makes Byzantium capital of the eastern Roman empire and changes the name to Constantinople.

What Old St. Peter’s Basilica Symbolized

Christ said to Peter upon giving him keys to heaven; “Upon this rock I will build my church”

Constantine Dies 337 CE

Rome has lost it’s political importance

New buildings were built in new Italian capitals of Milan and Ravenna

Theodosius I dies 395 CE

•  split Roman Empire into two sons rule   (one for each) 

Milan Capital is moved to Ravenna

EASTERN WESTERN

Arcadius (383-408 CE) Honorius (395-423) younger

East ruled by two sons

QUIZ Milan capital is moved to Ravenna (east coast)

easier to protect, naval base

surrounded by swamps