Art of Jewish, Early Christian, and Byzantine Art

Jewish symbols

 * Menorah 

- Symbolizes end of exile, paradise

Ex: Synagogue floor. Cobblestones painted.

*Ram's horn

- Ceremonial occasions

*Citron - like a fruit

- Celebrates harvest 

Jewish Antiquities

Wall with Torah Niche - depicted scenes from Jewish history. Was used to educate children and pass down history.

The Finding of Baby Moses - Static, two dimensional style with frontal poses, strong outlines, flat colors

Christian Art

* In 313, Consantine issued the Edict of Milan granting all people in the Roman Empire freedom to worship whatever god they wished.

Christian art prior to the Edict

* Sculptures were more rare than paintings

-Usually marble

-Depicted the shepherd- represented Christ

Ex: Sarcophagus of the church of Santa Maria Antiqua | Coffin. Man teaching symbolizes Jesus. Also good shepherd symbolizes. Young boy baptized by man.

- Contained images of symbolic Christian people who would go unnoticed by pagans

-Relief, flat sculpture carved into surface

Christian Art post Edict

* Christian symbols such as the cross were included

* Mosaics freely covered Church walls, ceilings

* Used bright colors and shading

Ex: Shows cross around good shepherd 

The Golden Ages of Byzantine Art

* Byzantine Art is known as the Art of the Orthodox church

*Broken down into three period

- Early 526-726 BC

- Middle 843-1204 BC

Late 1261-1453 BC

Early Byzantine

Ex: Taken from Rabbula Gospels, illustrated gospel book | Name from Monk, Rabbula. Tells story of Christ on cross. Bottom has saints, apostles interacting

* Presented Christian story though multileveled symbolism

* Inspired by church murals and mosaics

* Painted on sheets of velum- animal skin, papyrus, thick sturdy

* Quite colorful

Middle Byzantine

* Art was visually powerful

* reflected the strongly spiritual focus of the wealthy leadership

* Young figures were drawn with larger bodies to show significance

* Painted icons of religious figures who were thought to have miraculous powers

- Ex: Virgin of Vladimir. Not a realistic piece of clothing for person, but leaders of time were wealthy and art reflects it.

* Painted on wood

Late Byzantine

Ex: The Old Testament Trinity (three angels visiting Abraham), very balanced and full of shapes, triangles

* Represented the trinity

* Artists relied on mathematical conventions to create ideal figures

* Invented ideal geometry and depicted human forms accordingly

- In example, arms and necks very long, figures are similar proportions

* Similar to Egyptian art, where convention was followed for figure proportions

| Final example ( with cross in center of dome and plants nearby) - "The transfiguration of Christ with Sant' Apollinare, First Bishop of Ravenna"

- Christian 549 BC

- Early Byzantine -> Multileveled, tells story with heavens above

Extra definitions

  • Menorah - A nine branched candelabrum representing the Jewish faith.

  • Citron - A Jewish symbol celebrating the harvest.

  • Synagogue - A Jewish house of prayer.

  • Edict of Milan - A letter issued by Constantine in 313 granting all people in the Roman Empire freedom to worship any god they wished.

  • Sarcophagus - A funeral receptacle for the body typically carved from stone.

  • Pagans - Generally referring to the religions of Classical antiquity such as Greek mythology or Roman religions outside of Christianity.

  • Byzantine - The Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.

  • Mosaic - Art made from small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other material.

  • Vellum - Processed thin, smooth and durable animal hide used in the pre-printing age for written works.