Late Antique Art

UNIT 4.1: LATE ANTIQUE ART (200 C.E. - 500 C.E.)

LATE ANTIQUE WORKS OF ART

  • Catacomb of Priscilla

  • Greek Chapel

  • Orant Figure

  • Good Shepherd Frescos

  • Santa Sabina

  • Total: 2 Works of Art.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS

  • Medieval Art Characteristics

    • Medieval art is classified based on geographic placement, stylistic approaches, and traditions.

    • Major interconnections exist between religions, governmental influences, and artistic movements, leading to various artistic approaches.

    • The timeline of medieval art includes several eras:

    • Late Antique & Early Christian (200-500 CE)

    • Byzantine (500-1453 CE)

    • Islamic

    • Early Medieval (450-1050 CE)

    • Romanesque (1000-1200 CE)

    • Gothic (1140-1400 CE)

    • There is no singular style of medieval art; some periods revitalize ancient classicism (Greek & Roman styles), while others focus on geometric and naturalistic designs.

    • Contemporary influences and ancient traditions shape the work of medieval artists.

    • Note: This unit emphasizes European contexts.

  • Three Major Traits of Medieval Art

    1. Religious Expression: Predominantly Christianity.

    2. Court Life: Artistic manifestations related to royalty.

    3. Scholarship: The arts practiced by and for educated individuals.

  • Knowledge Transmission:

    • Knowledge and artistic learning spread throughout Europe via trade routes, pilgrimage activities, and military encounters such as the Crusades.

  • Architectural Focus: Medieval architecture focused on religious structures, particularly churches.

  • Artistic Trends: Medieval painting and sculpture tended to avoid naturalistic depictions, leading to more stylized forms.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT OF LATE ANTIQUITY (200 - 500 C.E.)

  • Map of Britain, Europe, and Near East indicating key locations:

    • Key Locations:

    • Trier, Germany

    • Milan, Italy

    • Ravenna, Italy

    • Venice, Italy

    • Rome, Italy

    • Thessaloniki, Greece

    • Constantinople (Byzantium, Istanbul, Turkey)

    • Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Alexandria, Egypt

    • Dura-Europos, Syria

  • Distance scales included: 0 to 500 miles/kilometers.

CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

  • Founding of Christianity:

    • Christianity emerged in the 1st century C.E. under the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, identified as the Messiah (Christ), alongside his disciples.

    • During the early centuries, Christians faced severe persecution and secrecy as their faith was illegal among pagan Romans (100 C.E. - ~300 C.E.).

  • Legalization by Constantine:

    • Emperor Constantine enacted the Edict of Milan (313 C.E.), granting religious tolerance within the Roman Empire.

    • Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 C.E., prompting changes in the visual depictions of Christ.

NARRATIVE RELIGION IN CHRISTIANITY

  • New Testament Themes in Art:

    • Narrative Religion: Christianity emphasizes narratives that are depicted in art:

    • The Annunciation: The angel Gabriel informs Mary of her pregnancy with the Messiah.

    • Miracles of Jesus: Illustrations of Jesus transforming water into wine, healing the sick, and feeding thousands with loaves and fishes.

    • The Last Supper: Representing the sacrament of the Eucharist with wine and bread.

    • The Crucifixion: The depiction of Jesus's death on the cross.

    • Deposition/Lamentation/Entombment: Representations of grief surrounding Jesus's death.

    • Resurrection: Art illustrating Jesus’s victory over death.

FOUR EVANGELISTS AND THEIR SYMBOLS

  • Authors of the Gospels:

    • Matthew: Represented by an Angel or Man.

    • Mark: Associated with a Lion.

    • Luke: Depicted as an Ox or Calf.

    • John: Symbolized by an Eagle.

  • Symbolism Evolution: Depictions of Jesus evolved as Christianity became established within the Roman Empire:

    • Early Depiction: Jesus often shown as the Good Shepherd, embodying humility in simple robes, carrying a shepherd's crook, and depicted in a youthful manner.

    • Later Depiction: As an imperial figure, adorned in purple and gold robes, commanding power, draped with a crown-like halo, and often shown with a beard.

CATAACOMB OF PRISCILLA

  • Location: Rome, Italy.

  • Period: Late Antique Europe, c. 200-400 C.E.

  • Materials: Excavated tufa and fresco.

  • Key Features:

    • Catacomb: An underground passageway primarily used for burial purposes.

    • Cubicula: Small underground rooms served as chapels in catacombs for the wealthy deceased.

    • Loculi: Niche-like holes cut into the walls of catacombs allocated for the interment of poorer deceased individuals.

    • Specific Frescoes: Includes the Good Shepherd Fresco and Orant Figure Fresco, highlighting themes of pastoral care and prayer.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY CHRISTIAN BUILDINGS

  • Building Features:

    • A plain exterior as a hallmark of early Christian architecture.

    • Followed a Basilica Plan: A standardized layout for churches featuring a central nave, side aisles, and an apse for the altar.

    • Often contained flat wooden roofs.

    • Incorporated Roman domical arches visible in the arcade.

    • Adage: “Plain on the outside, beautiful on the inside.”

AXIAL/BASILICA PLAN DEFINITION

  • Basilica Plan: In Christian architecture, a structure organized axially with:

    • A long nave, side aisles, and an apse for the altar.

    • Layout typically emphasizes movement towards the altar that is situated at the eastern end of the church.

VOCABULARY FOR CHURCH COMPONENTS

  • Ambulatory: Passageway surrounding the apse or altar.

  • Apse: The architectural endpoint of a church where the altar is situated.

  • Atrium: A courtyard area situated before a Christian church.

  • Basilica Plan: The most common layout in Western European churches, characterized by a long nave, side aisles, and an apse.

  • Central Plan: A layout predominating in the Byzantine Empire with a circular design centering upon the altar.

  • Clerestory: The upper story of a church featuring windows that illuminate the space.

  • Narthex: The vestibule/lobby area closest to the basilica from the atrium.

  • Nave: The main central aisle of the church.

  • Transept: Transverse aisles perpendicular to the nave originally for clerical personnel.

SANTA SABINA EXAMPLES

  • Santa Sabina (Exterior & Ground Plan):

    • Medium: Brick, stone, wooden roof

    • Date: c. 422-432 C.E., Rome.

    • Spolia: The practice of reusing architectural fragments in structures differing from their initial purpose.

  • Santa Sabina (Interior):

    • Includes features such as:

    • Clerestory

    • Nave (Main aisle)

    • Apse/Altar at the end of the nave

    • No transept present in this church design.

    • Coffered ceiling patterns.

    • Nave Arcade: Noteworthy decorative arches presenting a sense of grandeur to the interior.