*Title:* Catacomb of Priscilla *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Late Antique / Early Christian *Date:* 200-400 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Rome *Material:* volcanic rock *Subject:* contains Greek Chapel (place for family to put sarcophagi and also have meals as part of a memorial to the dead) -Fresco of Breaking of the Bread and Fish -Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac -Jonah and the Whale -Woman and Child *Technique and Description:* -excavated/subtractive structure -fresco (1st style) -prefiguration -lunetts -medallion -abstraction (no individuality, no background to indicate space) -natrualistic (shadow and shading) -funerary and didactic functions *Context:* -Priscilla was wealthy, martyred, left estate to Christian church so they built catacombs -Virgin Mary impregnated by God's words and gives birth to baby Jesus -Jesus grows up and sees unhappiness in his people (the Jews) b/c they were treated as 2nd class citizens -Jesus becomes a prophet (thought he was improving his religion) -Christians believe in a rewarding afterlife and a loving God -spoke to the weak and persecuted, so appealing -similar to Mystery Religions -Christianity becomes unifying force for Romans -Judas betrays Jesus, Last Supper, Crucifixion, Descent, Lamentation, Resurrection, Ascension -return of Christ seemed imminent to Christian followers, but he doesn't show up right away so Christians must deal w/ this disappointment -Christians anger Romans b/c citizens in empire expected to give physical offerings to divine king (Jews exempt) but Christians refuse to pay tax (treason) -not all Romans didn't want to kill Christians, but Christians wanted to by marry b/c believe in Heaven and would die like Jesus *Message/Meaning:* -not for praying, but -*Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac*: Abraham is a prefiguration of God and Isaac is a prefiguration of Jesus in story where Abraham is about to sacrifice his son -*Jonah and the Whale*: Jonah is a prefiguration of Jesus when he was eaten by a whale and emerged 3 days later -the *Woman and Child* fresco may depict Mary and Jesus because Mary gives birth in a barn and a bright star emerges in the sky (the fresco also features a star) -dove in lunette: symbol of peace (seen in Noah's Ark story and Greek tradition) and also represents the Holy Spirit -peacock in lunette: symbol of Jesus' immortal body and of Christian soul receiving salvation (b/c believed peacocks' bodies did not rot after death)
*Title:* Catacomb of Priscilla *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Late Antique / Early Christian *Date:* 200-400 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Rome *Material:* volcanic rock *Subject:* contains Greek Chapel (place for family to put sarcophagi and also have meals as part of a memorial to the dead) -Fresco of Breaking of the Bread and Fish -Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac -Jonah and the Whale -Woman and Child *Technique and Description:* -excavated/subtractive structure -fresco (1st style) -prefiguration -lunetts -medallion -abstraction (no individuality, no background to indicate space) -natrualistic (shadow and shading) -funerary and didactic functions *Context:* -Priscilla was wealthy, martyred, left estate to Christian church so they built catacombs -Virgin Mary impregnated by God's words and gives birth to baby Jesus -Jesus grows up and sees unhappiness in his people (the Jews) b/c they were treated as 2nd class citizens -Jesus becomes a prophet (thought he was improving his religion) -Christians believe in a rewarding afterlife and a loving God -spoke to the weak and persecuted, so appealing -similar to Mystery Religions -Christianity becomes unifying force for Romans -Judas betrays Jesus, Last Supper, Crucifixion, Descent, Lamentation, Resurrection, Ascension -return of Christ seemed imminent to Christian followers, but he doesn't show up right away so Christians must deal w/ this disappointment -Christians anger Romans b/c citizens in empire expected to give physical offerings to divine king (Jews exempt) but Christians refuse to pay tax (treason) -not all Romans didn't want to kill Christians, but Christians wanted to by marry b/c believe in Heaven and would die like Jesus *Message/Meaning:* -not for praying, but -*Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac*: Abraham is a prefiguration of God and Isaac is a prefiguration of Jesus in story where Abraham is about to sacrifice his son -*Jonah and the Whale*: Jonah is a prefiguration of Jesus when he was eaten by a whale and emerged 3 days later -the *Woman and Child* fresco may depict Mary and Jesus because Mary gives birth in a barn and a bright star emerges in the sky (the fresco also features a star) -dove in lunette: symbol of peace (seen in Noah's Ark story and Greek tradition) and also represents the Holy Spirit -peacock in lunette: symbol of Jesus' immortal body and of Christian soul receiving salvation (b/c believed peacocks' bodies did not rot after death)
*Title:* Orant Fresco *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Late Antique / Early Christian *Date:* 200-400 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Greek Chapel, Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome *Material:* paint on volcanic rock *Subject:* woman seen 3 times left: marriage right: motherhood center: dead in spirit form (faces God and asks for salvation) *Technique and Description:* -fresco -continues narrative -naturalistic (shadows/shading) -funerary function *Context:* -
*Title:* Orant Fresco *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Late Antique / Early Christian *Date:* 200-400 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Greek Chapel, Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome *Material:* paint on volcanic rock *Subject:* woman seen 3 times left: marriage right: motherhood center: dead in spirit form (faces God and asks for salvation) *Technique and Description:* -fresco -continues narrative -naturalistic (shadows/shading) -funerary function *Context:* -"orator" women speaking to God -Christians believed in rewarding afterlife and kind God *Message/Meaning:*
*Title:* Good Shepherd Medallion *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Late Antique / Early Christian *Date:* 200-400 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Orant Fresco, Greek Chapel, Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome *Material:* paint on volcanic rock *Subject:* male sheep (rams) but no horns b/c baby rams and don't want to mistake them for goats (goats are bad) *Technique and Description:* -fresco -medallion -lunettes (surrounding medallion) -funerary and didactic functions *Context:* -surrounded by lunettes -According to St. Paul, God sacrificed Jesus to erase the original sin started with Adam and Eve's actions -Early Christian art looks very Roman (evidence of syncretism/appropriation in art; also likely bc Jews didn't make art to mimic so turned to secular inspirations), was somewhat private (open to Christians but hidden b/c perfection), combination of naturalism and abstraction, had funerary and didactic functions -start breaking 2nd Commandment b/c a lot of people illiterate *Message/Meaning:* -Jesus =
*Title:* Good Shepherd Medallion *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Late Antique / Early Christian *Date:* 200-400 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Orant Fresco, Greek Chapel, Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome *Material:* paint on volcanic rock *Subject:* male sheep (rams) but no horns b/c baby rams and don't want to mistake them for goats (goats are bad) *Technique and Description:* -fresco -medallion -lunettes (surrounding medallion) -funerary and didactic functions *Context:* -surrounded by lunettes -According to St. Paul, God sacrificed Jesus to erase the original sin started with Adam and Eve's actions -Early Christian art looks very Roman (evidence of syncretism/appropriation in art; also likely bc Jews didn't make art to mimic so turned to secular inspirations), was somewhat private (open to Christians but hidden b/c perfection), combination of naturalism and abstraction, had funerary and didactic functions -start breaking 2nd Commandment b/c a lot of people illiterate *Message/Meaning:* -Jesus = "the lamb of god" (lamb is highest sacrifice); lamb also symbol of Christian souls
*Title:* Basilica of Santa Sabina *Artist:* Peter of Illyria, a Dalmatian priest *Period/Style:* Early Christian *Date:* 422-432 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Rome, Italy *Material:* brick, stone, wooden roof *Subject:* early Christian Church *Technique and Description:* -axial plan -aisles -apse -axis mundi -spolia (Corinthian columns) -nave -clerestory -propaganda *Context:* -oldest church still existing in Rome -dedicated to martyr Sabina -built on site of Juno's Temple -space in apse exclusive for Church hierarchy -313 Edict of Milan: Constantine legalizes Christianity (mother converted and he saw cross in a dream before winning a battle --> so he adopts religion too, introduces Christianity to violence) -end of 4th cent. Christians begin persecuting non Christians; Christianity is Roman Empire's official religion; Christian hierarchy established *Message/Meaning:* -early church divided the sexes (in different aisles) -processional: incense --> creates holy atmosphere and beautiful robes and jewelry --> make it a glorified space, things last forever like stone and metal -outside is simple, heavy --> metaphor for human body and soul where exterior is plan and interior is dazzling -built on site of Juno's Temple, kept Corinthian columns --> projected power (Christian vs. Pagan) -3 windows in apse references Holy Trinity -wood carvings on door depict Old and New Testament stories --> Christians comfortable with breaking 2nd commandment to tell stories -controlled light b/c it represents God
*Title:* Basilica of Santa Sabina *Artist:* Peter of Illyria, a Dalmatian priest *Period/Style:* Early Christian *Date:* 422-432 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Rome, Italy *Material:* brick, stone, wooden roof *Subject:* early Christian Church *Technique and Description:* -axial plan -aisles -apse -axis mundi -spolia (Corinthian columns) -nave -clerestory -propaganda *Context:* -oldest church still existing in Rome -dedicated to martyr Sabina -built on site of Juno's Temple -space in apse exclusive for Church hierarchy -313 Edict of Milan: Constantine legalizes Christianity (mother converted and he saw cross in a dream before winning a battle --> so he adopts religion too, introduces Christianity to violence) -end of 4th cent. Christians begin persecuting non Christians; Christianity is Roman Empire's official religion; Christian hierarchy established *Message/Meaning:* -early church divided the sexes (in different aisles) -processional: incense --> creates holy atmosphere and beautiful robes and jewelry --> make it a glorified space, things last forever like stone and metal -outside is simple, heavy --> metaphor for human body and soul where exterior is plan and interior is dazzling -built on site of Juno's Temple, kept Corinthian columns --> projected power (Christian vs. Pagan) -3 windows in apse references Holy Trinity -wood carvings on door depict Old and New Testament stories --> Christians comfortable with breaking 2nd commandment to tell stories -controlled light b/c it represents God
*Title:* Basilica of Sant'apollinare Nuovo *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 526 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Ravenna, Italy *Material:* *Subject:* Church featuring murals depicting procession and emporeror *Technique and Description:* -mosaic (with shading) -axial plan *Context:* -Christianity asserts itself as a powerful religion and associates with Byzantine power structure -inspired by Roman art but make new styles -priests continue preaching humility while dressed as emperors (hypocritical) -visualize Jesus as emperor, Lord in Heaven and a lord on earth -Byzantine steps into Roman Empire which dissolves in west and changes in east (keep power structure) -try to preach in a way that kept lower class from questioning authority -Byzantine emperor makes himself head of church (funds art) -religious art becomes an act of anonymous devotion, took very seriously b/c people took notes on mistakes and it influenced afterlife -symbolism becomes more important than realism (naturalism can distract form meaning) *Message/Meaning:* MOSAIC: -Jesus dressed like an emperor, enthroned, feet don't touch the floor, bearded (wiser) -holding candle to signify Holy Spirit -ground implies heavenly garden, gold background is heavenly/timeless/spiritual
*Title:* Basilica of Sant'apollinare Nuovo *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 526 CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Ravenna, Italy *Material:* *Subject:* Church featuring murals depicting procession and emporeror *Technique and Description:* -mosaic (with shading) -axial plan *Context:* -Christianity asserts itself as a powerful religion and associates with Byzantine power structure -inspired by Roman art but make new styles -priests continue preaching humility while dressed as emperors (hypocritical) -visualize Jesus as emperor, Lord in Heaven and a lord on earth -Byzantine steps into Roman Empire which dissolves in west and changes in east (keep power structure) -try to preach in a way that kept lower class from questioning authority -Byzantine emperor makes himself head of church (funds art) -religious art becomes an act of anonymous devotion, took very seriously b/c people took notes on mistakes and it influenced afterlife -symbolism becomes more important than realism (naturalism can distract form meaning) *Message/Meaning:* MOSAIC: -Jesus dressed like an emperor, enthroned, feet don't touch the floor, bearded (wiser) -holding candle to signify Holy Spirit -ground implies heavenly garden, gold background is heavenly/timeless/spiritual
*Title:* San Vitale *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 526 CE *Patron:* Bishop Ecclesius and Archbishop Maximian (Money from Justinian and Theodora) *Original Location:* Ravenna, Italy *Material:* gold and precious stones used in mosaics *Subject:* Structure taken from Germanic Tribes by Justinian and converted into Church with several murals *Technique and Description:* -Basilica -central plan -octagonal plan -aisle -nave -apse -narthex -flying buttresses -squinches -columns use abstracted and geometric vegetative capitals (entirely new style, no spolia) -mosaics (symbolic) *Context:* -Christianity asserts itself as a powerful religion and associates with Byzantine power structure -Byzantine steps into Roman Empire which dissolves in west and changes in east (keep power structure) -Constantinople thrives in east, Rome sacked by Germanic thrives in the weest -Byzantine emperors want to take back Roman Empire -Justinian takes back Ravenna, Italy in most successful escapade, Germanic tribes converted -Theodora (Justinian's wife, actress maybe prostitute) influenced Justinian to help poor, women, orphans; scandalous, people blamed her for everything *Message/Meaning:* -central/ octagonal floor plan goes on forever, sense of infinity, death and Resurrection) -narthex marks the sinners while allowing them to pray/ask for forgiveness -outside plain, interior dazzling -Jesus seen as lamb, haloed, surrounded by victory wreath -mosaic w/ continuous narrative of Abraham and Isaac prefiguration (have landscape but not realistic) -mosaic w/ Jesus giving wreath to martyr and ____ (patron) giving Jesus the San Vitale --> patrons elevate themselves in art -mosaic w/ Justinian shows him in procession, he has halo (makes himself more holy than archbishops) -warriors to the left (shield has chi-rho) -priests to the right (hold cross, dazzling Bible, and censer); dressed in pure white robes to show purity -Justinian has best shoes, standing on warrior's feet, archbishop may be a bit in front; Justinian holding bread for Communion (bread positions him over arch bishop, but bread really Jesus); Justinian has some scruff to show he's busy taking care of the empire -mosaic w/ Theodora shows her w/ Chalise for blood fo Christe (traditionally only for men), haloed, standing in apse --> even more holy than Justinian -curtain reveals fount of holy water, different curtain reveals ladies in waiting (women usually inside, concealed, out of public sight but allowed for processional) -Theodora's robes have 3 wise men/magi
*Title:* San Vitale *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 526 CE *Patron:* Bishop Ecclesius and Archbishop Maximian (Money from Justinian and Theodora) *Original Location:* Ravenna, Italy *Material:* gold and precious stones used in mosaics *Subject:* Structure taken from Germanic Tribes by Justinian and converted into Church with several murals *Technique and Description:* -Basilica -central plan -octagonal plan -aisle -nave -apse -narthex -flying buttresses -squinches -columns use abstracted and geometric vegetative capitals (entirely new style, no spolia) -mosaics (symbolic) *Context:* -Christianity asserts itself as a powerful religion and associates with Byzantine power structure -Byzantine steps into Roman Empire which dissolves in west and changes in east (keep power structure) -Constantinople thrives in east, Rome sacked by Germanic thrives in the weest -Byzantine emperors want to take back Roman Empire -Justinian takes back Ravenna, Italy in most successful escapade, Germanic tribes converted -Theodora (Justinian's wife, actress maybe prostitute) influenced Justinian to help poor, women, orphans; scandalous, people blamed her for everything *Message/Meaning:* -central/ octagonal floor plan goes on forever, sense of infinity, death and Resurrection) -narthex marks the sinners while allowing them to pray/ask for forgiveness -outside plain, interior dazzling -Jesus seen as lamb, haloed, surrounded by victory wreath -mosaic w/ continuous narrative of Abraham and Isaac prefiguration (have landscape but not realistic) -mosaic w/ Jesus giving wreath to martyr and ____ (patron) giving Jesus the San Vitale --> patrons elevate themselves in art -mosaic w/ Justinian shows him in procession, he has halo (makes himself more holy than archbishops) -warriors to the left (shield has chi-rho) -priests to the right (hold cross, dazzling Bible, and censer); dressed in pure white robes to show purity -Justinian has best shoes, standing on warrior's feet, archbishop may be a bit in front; Justinian holding bread for Communion (bread positions him over arch bishop, but bread really Jesus); Justinian has some scruff to show he's busy taking care of the empire -mosaic w/ Theodora shows her w/ Chalise for blood fo Christe (traditionally only for men), haloed, standing in apse --> even more holy than Justinian -curtain reveals fount of holy water, different curtain reveals ladies in waiting (women usually inside, concealed, out of public sight but allowed for processional) -Theodora's robes have 3 wise men/magi
*Title:* Hagia Sophia *Artist:* Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 530 CE *Patron:* Justinian I *Original Location:* Constantinople; modern day Istanbul, Turkey *Material:* marbles from all over empire *Subject:* Church, later converted into Mosque, and now a museum *Technique and Description:* -central and axial plan -dome (bottom has 40 windows) -arches -half domes -minarets added -pendentive -hidden piers *Context:* -Justinian ended a riot in one of his cities, burned citizens, needs to assert power -Pagan temple --> Christian basilica --> Hagia Sophia -largest church in the entire world -down the street from Justinian's palace -1400's Ottoman Empire takes over, converted to Muslim mosque (cover mosaics w/ silks, add medallions, added minarets) *Message/Meaning:* -windows in dome make it look like it is suspended from heaven -when emperor and archbishop came together, symbolized heavenly and earthly power -mosaic -features mosaic with Christ as Pantocrator --> cannot look him in the eyes b/c he is so powerful
*Title:* Hagia Sophia *Artist:* Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 530 CE *Patron:* Justinian I *Original Location:* Constantinople; modern day Istanbul, Turkey *Material:* marbles from all over empire *Subject:* Church, later converted into Mosque, and now a museum *Technique and Description:* -central and axial plan -dome (bottom has 40 windows) -arches -half domes -minarets added -pendentive -hidden piers *Context:* -Justinian ended a riot in one of his cities, burned citizens, needs to assert power -Pagan temple --> Christian basilica --> Hagia Sophia -largest church in the entire world -down the street from Justinian's palace -1400's Ottoman Empire takes over, converted to Muslim mosque (cover mosaics w/ silks, add medallions, added minarets) *Message/Meaning:* -windows in dome make it look like it is suspended from heaven -when emperor and archbishop came together, symbolized heavenly and earthly power -mosaic -features mosaic with Christ as Pantocrator --> cannot look him in the eyes b/c he is so powerful
*Title:* Virgin and Child Between the Saints *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 6th or 7th cent. CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Egypt *Material:* encaustic (hot, colored wax) on wood *Subject:* icon depicting Virgin and Child between saints (may be Mary and Jesus but not confirmed) *Technique and Description:* -icon -overlapping perspective yet spatial ambiguity *Context:* -icons violate 2nd commandment and misdirection of prayer (supposed to focus prayer through figure to God, not worship figure) -iconoclasm- 8th cent. people destroyed icons *Message/Meaning:* -meant to channel prayer through image to God -angels on top look up at light which shines on Virgin and baby (light is often God) -spatial ambiguity creates otherworldly feeling -Virgin does not make eye contact with viewer unlike saints -gets more holy as you go up on composition, even includes viewer in hierarchy (viewer stands before the scene)
*Title:* Virgin and Child Between the Saints *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* 6th or 7th cent. CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Egypt *Material:* encaustic (hot, colored wax) on wood *Subject:* icon depicting Virgin and Child between saints (may be Mary and Jesus but not confirmed) *Technique and Description:* -icon -overlapping perspective yet spatial ambiguity *Context:* -icons violate 2nd commandment and misdirection of prayer (supposed to focus prayer through figure to God, not worship figure) -iconoclasm- 8th cent. people destroyed icons *Message/Meaning:* -meant to channel prayer through image to God -angels on top look up at light which shines on Virgin and baby (light is often God) -spatial ambiguity creates otherworldly feeling -Virgin does not make eye contact with viewer unlike saints -gets more holy as you go up on composition, even includes viewer in hierarchy (viewer stands before the scene)
he who struggles with God) *Technique and Description:* -continuous narrative -overlapping perspective -bad perspective -poor realism -shading *Context:* -oldest collection of folios and pages (illuminated manuscript) -Roman influence: shading -Byzantine influence: poor realism, bad perspective (colonnade and walled city) -artist caught in period of transition in art style *Message/Meaning:* -page dyed purple --> likely belonged to a royal -naked woman is personification of mouth of the river -wrapping bridge shows attempt at perspective and helps read narrative -mouth of river is naked, reclining (Roman) -Rebecca is modestly dressed (Christian)" alt="*Title:* Vienna Genesis *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* early 6th cent. CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Syria or Constantinople *Material:* pigment on vellum/ parchment (dyed purple; silver ink) *Subject:* -depicts Rebecca and Eliezer at the well (Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find son Isaac a wife, Eliezer prays and Rebecca shows up) -Jacob wrestles w/ agnel, gets new name ("Israel" --> he who struggles with God) *Technique and Description:* -continuous narrative -overlapping perspective -bad perspective -poor realism -shading *Context:* -oldest collection of folios and pages (illuminated manuscript) -Roman influence: shading -Byzantine influence: poor realism, bad perspective (colonnade and walled city) -artist caught in period of transition in art style *Message/Meaning:* -page dyed purple --> likely belonged to a royal -naked woman is personification of mouth of the river -wrapping bridge shows attempt at perspective and helps read narrative -mouth of river is naked, reclining (Roman) -Rebecca is modestly dressed (Christian)">
*Title:* Vienna Genesis *Artist:* *Period/Style:* Byzantine *Date:* early 6th cent. CE *Patron:* *Original Location:* Syria or Constantinople *Material:* pigment on vellum/ parchment (dyed purple; silver ink) *Subject:* -depicts Rebecca and Eliezer at the well (Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find son Isaac a wife, Eliezer prays and Rebecca shows up) -Jacob wrestles w/ agnel, gets new name ("Israel" --> he who struggles with God) *Technique and Description:* -continuous narrative -overlapping perspective -bad perspective -poor realism -shading *Context:* -oldest collection of folios and pages (illuminated manuscript) -Roman influence: shading -Byzantine influence: poor realism, bad perspective (colonnade and walled city) -artist caught in period of transition in art style *Message/Meaning:* -page dyed purple --> likely belonged to a royal -naked woman is personification of mouth of the river -wrapping bridge shows attempt at perspective and helps read narrative -mouth of river is naked, reclining (Roman) -Rebecca is modestly dressed (Christian)