Late Antique Art and Christian Historical Background

Medieval art is studied according to:
- Geographic placement
- Styles
- Traditions
Frequent interconnections exist among:
- Religions
- Governments
- Artistic influences
Structure of the Medieval Period:
- Late Antique & Early Christian (200-500 CE)
- Byzantine (500-1453 CE)
- Islamic (to be covered later)
- Early Medieval (450-1050 CE)
- Romanesque (1000-1200 CE)
- Gothic (1140-1400 CE)
Artistic Characteristics:
- No uniform medieval style; elements include:
- Revival of ancient classicism in some periods (Greek & Roman influences)
- Geometric & natural designs in others
Influence of Contemporary Artists:
- Medieval artists were influenced by various contemporaneous movements across Europe, as well as ancient traditions.
This unit will specifically focus on Europe during this period.

Key Traits of Medieval Art:
1. Religious expression (emphasis on Christianity)
2. Court life (often depicting royalty)
3. Scholarship (arts practiced for and by educated individuals)
Transmission of Knowledge:
- Spread through:
- Trade
- Pilgrimage
- Military activity (notably, the Crusades)
Architecture in the Medieval Era:
- Primarily religious in nature (includes numerous churches)
Painting and Sculpture:
- Tends to avoid naturalistic depictions, exploring symbolic representation instead.

Regions discussed include Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Italy (notably Rome), Greece, Turkey, and regions tracing back early Christian history.
Geographical features include cities like Trier, Milan, Ravenna, Venice, Constantinople (Byzantium; now Istanbul), and Jerusalem among others.
Major bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean, Adriatic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Caspian Sea, highlighting trade routes essential for cultural exchanges.

Origins of Christianity:
- Founded in the 1st century C.E. by Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah (or Christ), and his disciples.
- Early Christianity was marked by persecution, being illegal among pagan Romans from 100 C.E. to approximately 300 C.E.
Significant Turning Point:
- Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan (313 C.E.) established religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire.
- Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire by 380 CE, influencing artistic representations thereafter.

Depictions in Art:
- Christian art is characterized as a "Narrative Religion" with stories from the New Testament depicted in various art forms including:
- The Annunciation (angel Gabriel tells Mary of her pregnancy with the Messiah)
- Miracles of Jesus (e.g., turning water into wine, healing the sick, feeding the multitudes)
- The Giving of the Keys (to St. Peter by Jesus)
- The Last Supper (where wine and bread are interpreted as the Eucharist)
- Crucifixion (depicting Jesus' death on the cross)
- Deposition/Lamentation/Entombment
- Resurrection (Jesus being raised from the dead)
Evangelists:
- The four authors of the Gospels in the New Testament:
- Matthew → Symbolized by an Angel or Man
- Mark → Symbolized by a Lion
- Luke → Symbolized by an Ox or Calf
- John → Symbolized by an Eagle

Transformation of Jesus’ Representation:
- Early depictions of Jesus (e.g., as the Good Shepherd):
- Portrayed in humble robes, with a shepherd’s crook, in a youthful manner.
- Later representations of Jesus (post-380 CE):
- Portrayed as Imperial and Godly, wearing robes of purple and gold, holding a powerful staff and represented with a crown-like halo and beard.

Catacomb Definition:
- Underground passageways utilized for burial
Cubicula:
- Small underground rooms within the catacombs serving as mortuary chapels, typically for the wealthy
Loculi:
- Openings cut into the walls of the catacombs designed to receive the remains of deceased individuals, particularly those who were poor.

Good Shepherd Fresco & Orant Figure Fresco:
- Found in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome, Italy, dating from approximately 200-400 C.E.
- Medium: Excavated tufa and fresco
Lunette:
- A crescent-shaped space over a doorway used for sculpture or painting
Orant Figure:
- A figure depicted with raised hands, indicative of prayer and spirituality.
Pastoral Motif in Art:
- Illustrations often depict themes of care and nurturing, consistent with Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

Architectural Characteristics:
- Exteriors tend to be plain and unadorned
- The layout primarily follows the Basilica plan
- Utilizes flat wooden roofs
- Incorporates Roman domical arches in the arcade
- Key Reminder: Structures are plain on the outside yet adorned beautifully on the inside.

Definition:
- An axially planned church features a long nave with side aisles and an apse for the altar
- Key components include:
- Apse
- Nave
- Transept
- Side aisles
- Narthex/Vestibule
- Atrium
Figure Layout:
- Identify positions such as the apse and altar typically located at the east end of the church.

Ambulatory:
- A passageway surrounding the apse or altar area
Apse:
- The endpoint of the church which houses the altar
Atrium:
- The courtyard located in front of a Christian church
Basilica Plan:
- An axially planned church distinguished by a long nave, side aisles, and an apse
Central Plan:
- Common in the Byzantine Empire; characterized by circular design centering around the altar
Clerestory:
- The third level of windows in a church that brings light into the interior
Narthex:
- The entry vestibule of the church closest to the atrium
Nave:
- The principal aisle running through the church
Transept:
- The aisle perpendicular to the nave, originally meant for the clergy.

General Information:
- Date: c. 422-432 C.E.
- Medium: Brick, stone with a wooden roof
- Location: Rome, Late Antique Europe
Spolia:
- Refers to the reuse of architectural fragments in constructions different from their original context.

Architectural Details:
- Includes a clerestory and apse/altar layout features
- No transept within the structure
- Coffered ceiling design
- Nave and aisles represented by nave arcade