Early_Christian_and_Byzantium

Early Christianity and Byzantium

Roman, Jews, and Christians

• Shift from Polytheism to Monotheism:

  • 3rd & 4th centuries saw Romans increasingly adopting monotheism (worship of a single all-powerful God).

  • Art continued to depict divine figures.

• Junius Bassus's Sarcophagus (359 CE):

  • Decorated with scenes from the Hebrew scriptures and the life of Jesus.

  • Central figures include Jesus enthroned similar to Roman emperors.

  • Incidents like Abraham and Isaac emphasize parallelism in faith (foreshadowing of Jesus's sacrifice).

  • Crucifixion rarely depicted; focus on Jesus's life as a teacher and miracle worker.

Early Christian Art

• Lack of Early Artworks:

  • Mainly catacomb paintings and sarcophagi; few artworks predate late 3rd/4th centuries.

• Persecution of Christians:

  • Prior to Constantine (306-337), Christians were a persecuted minority.

  • 313: Constantine's Edict of Milan established Christianity legally.

Catacombs

• Definition and Structure:

  • Catacombs: underground burial chambers developed by Christians in Rome.

  • Typically consist of galleries for burial and worship.

Artistic Development

• Influence of Jewish Art:

  • Jewish scriptures integral to Christian art; Old Testament stories illustrated as prefigurations of New Testament events.

• Examples of Popular Themes:

  • Adam and Eve: Significance of original sin.

  • Sacrifice of Isaac: Foretelling God's sacrifice of Jesus.

  • The Story of Jonah: Resilience and resurrection symbolism.

The Life of Jesus in Art

• Key Events in Artistic Depictions:

  • Baptism and Miracle-Working: Depicted through narratives in artwork.

  • Importance of the Eucharist: Last Supper depicted frequently in the context of ritual.

  • Passion Cycle: Includes major events leading to Jesus's death; narratives often stylized with emotional intensity.

Architecture and Mosaics

• Old Saint Peter's:

  • Built as a monumental basilica, reflecting traditional Roman structure adapted for Christian worship.

  • Served as a monumental center for Christian gatherings.

• Santa Costanza:

  • Central-plan church that influenced later Byzantine styles; interior heavily adorned with mosaics.

The Byzantine Era

• Transition to Byzantine Art:

  • Justinian’s reign marked the first golden age of Byzantine art and architecture (527-726).

  • Hagia Sophia: A fusion of traditional architectural styles; notable for its dome's engineering.

• San Vitale in Ravenna:

  • An example of early Byzantine central-plan architecture, noted for its decorative mosaics.

Iconography and Iconoclasm

• Icons:

  • Small images of Christ, the Virgin, and saints grew popular, especially by the 6th century.

  • Veneration sparked debates about idolatry and authenticity leading to the iconoclastic controversy.

• Middle Byzantine Revival (843-1204):

  • Resumption of artistic production following the period of destruction and prohibition.

  • Flourishing of chapels, mosaics, and small artworks reflecting both naturalism and classicism.

Summary of Artistic Developments

• Byzantine Artistic Growth:

  • Use of mosaics in church decoration became predominant, focusing on spiritual rather than naturalistic representation.

  • Continued influence of classical forms even in new styles.

• Emergence of Specific Styles:

  • Icons, colored glass mosaics, illuminated manuscripts were hallmark examples of the Middle Byzantine aesthetic.

Conclusion

• Decline:

  • Third golden age ended with the Fourth Crusade in 1204.

  • Recapture of Constantinople by Michael VIII in 1261 marked the eve of the waning influence of the Byzantine Empire.