Late antique art -

Ear ly Christian art

Alyssa Frial 4PSY4
 Background/History
• The institution of imperial authority underwent dramatic changes

during the period of Late Antiquity.

• The idea of the Emperor as the Principate or the first citizen of

Rome gave way to the idea of the Emperor as the Dominate or as the

absolute and awesome wielder of power. This transformation in the

conception of imperial power is dramatically manifested in imperial

images.
 Background/History

• Images of the Emperor held great power in the Roman World.

• Art became Medieval before it became Christian. This means that

there was already a move away from the naturalistic and organic

style of the Classical tradition to a more abstract and mechanical

style independent of the influence of Christianity.

-Marble portrait of Constantine, c. 330 A.D. Capitoline Museum,
Rome
-The Arch of Constantine
 -Two reliefs from the Arch of Constantine: left: roundel showing
Sacrifice to Apollo, c. 117-138 C.E.; right: Detail, Distribution
of Largesse
 Background/History
• Earliest images include: simple symbols, images of personal
salvation, symbols of Christ, symbols of Baptism.

• Repertoire of scenes was rather limited: mostly Old Testament

scenes and miracles of Christ

• In the 4th and 5th century theological perceptions change: scenes

from Christ’s life proliferate together with the images of the
Virgin Mary

• Jewish art usually lacked narration

 Background/History
• Legalization of Christianity in 313 brings about the flourishing of
the early Christian architecture

• Style is essentially Roman

• Christians were mostly from the underclass for the first two
centuries – no money for art – and underground

• Architecture based on Roman Basilicas (axial) and Roman Temples

(central plan)

• Architecture tended to be bare on outside and elaborate on inside,

akin to the soul of a Christian
-Anchor and fish epitaph, catacomb of St. Domitilla, Rome ca. 3rd
century
-The Good Shepherd, The Catacomb of Domitilla 350-75 CE
-Eastern bays with sarcophagus niches, Martydom of St. Lawrence.
-Harvesting of Grapes, mosaic in ambulatory vault of Church of
Santa Costanza, Rome, 350 CE.
-Good Shepherd ceiling decoration from the catacomb of St. Peter
and Marcellinus
-Cubiculum of Leonis, Catacomb of Commodilla, near Rome, late 4th
century CE.
-Menorahs and Ark of the Covenant, wall painting in a catacomb,
Rome, 3rd Century CE.
-Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, marble, Museo Storico del Tesoro
della Basilica di San Pieto, Rome. 359 CE.
-Enthroned Christ with Peter and Paul
-Christ’s entry into Jerusalem
-Sacrifice of Isaac
-Trial of Jesus in front of Pontius Pilate
-Christ Seated, Marble Civita Latina, Italy
350-375
-Interior of the synagogue, Dura-Europos, Syria,with wall paintings
of Old Testament themes, ca.245– 256. Tempera on plaster.
Reconstruction in National Museum, Damascus.
-Samuel anoints David, detail of the mural paintings in the syna-
gogue, Dura-Europos, Syria, ca. 245–256. Tempera on plaster, 47
high.
-Church of Santa Costanza
-Interior of -Church of Santa Costanza
-Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy, 425 CE.
-Pediment above the door of Santa Pudenziana, 4th century C.E.,
Rome
-Apse mosaic of Santa Pudenziana, 4th century C.E., Rome