Byzantine Art Part 1
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Transcript of Byzantine Art Part 1
The Middle AgesThe Middle AgesThe Middle AgesThe Middle AgesThe beginning of Early The beginning of Early
Christian ArtChristian ArtThe beginning of Early The beginning of Early
Christian ArtChristian Art
Where do we begin our story?
The Roman Empire
The Basic Tenants of Christianity:• Jesus was born among the
Jews
• In the Jewish faith: God had communicated with them for
centuries through His prophets and the Old Testament and
had given them Commandments by which to
live and to please Him
• Jesus said to love God and Human beings was more
important than those laws
• The writings of Jesus’ followers make up the New
Testament
Christianity continued...Christianity continued...Christianity continued...Christianity continued...
To His followers: He was God’s son, the Savior of the World whose coming was predicted in the Old Testament
People who believed in Him would be raised from the dead at the end of time and live with him in heaven
Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God make up the Trinity
To His followers: He was God’s son, the Savior of the World whose coming was predicted in the Old Testament
People who believed in Him would be raised from the dead at the end of time and live with him in heaven
Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God make up the Trinity
The Holy Trinity
JesusJesusHoly SpiritHoly Spirit GodGod
The Roman EmpireThe Roman EmpireThe Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire
I don’t trust these Christians, they’re cutting in on my
power!
In the centuries following Christ’s death, Rome becomes the center of Christian underground activity, and many Christians are blamed and persecuted for
the growing troubles of the empire
Christianity is outlawed and many Christians seek refuge in underground sanctuaries that were built to
bury their dead, called the Catacombs (c. 300 CE)
Underground citiesUnderground citiesUnderground citiesUnderground citiesUnderground cities were built to escape persecution within the Roman Empire
Cities could often hold up to 20,000 people for many months without coming outside!
Underground cities were built to escape persecution within the Roman Empire
Cities could often hold up to 20,000 people for many months without coming outside!
Underground cities in Goreme (present day Turkey
Underground Fresco in Underground Fresco in Goreme, Turkey Goreme, Turkey
CappadociaCappadocia
Underground Fresco in Underground Fresco in Goreme, Turkey Goreme, Turkey
CappadociaCappadocia
The Good Shepherd,
Ceiling Fresco,
4th century,
Catacombs, Rome
Circles depict story
of Jonah
Circle : Symbolizes the Dome of Heaven
Do you see the cross formed by intersecting circles?
SymbolismSymbolismSymbolismSymbolism
new kinds of images are painted depicting people and events of religious importance through the use of symbolism
the communication of a thought or an idea using symbols was new and changed the course of art for centuries
new kinds of images are painted depicting people and events of religious importance through the use of symbolism
the communication of a thought or an idea using symbols was new and changed the course of art for centuries
Roman Symbols to Christian Roman Symbols to Christian SymbolsSymbols
Roman Symbols to Christian Roman Symbols to Christian SymbolsSymbols
• (Notes: Juno – Roman equivalent of Hera, Phaeton – Son of Helion,
• Elijah – deliverer of message to Ahab, Aristaeus – son of Apollo)
• (Notes: Juno – Roman equivalent of Hera, Phaeton – Son of Helion,
• Elijah – deliverer of message to Ahab, Aristaeus – son of Apollo)
Roman Early Christian
Juno’s PeacockSymbol for
Christ’s resurrection
Phaeton’s Chariot Elijah’s Chariot
Pastoral God Aristaeus
Good Shepherd
• Symbols are at first borrowed from Roman art
Pastoral god Aristaeus ...becomes.... the Good ShepherdPastoral god Aristaeus ...becomes.... the Good Shepherd
not realistic or natural (as Romans) but simplified and stylizednot realistic or natural (as Romans) but simplified and stylized
Roman Fresco Early Christian Fresco
Roman Art vs. Early Christian ArtRoman Art vs. Early Christian ArtRoman Art vs. Early Christian ArtRoman Art vs. Early Christian Art
• Art tends to use blues and browns, is compartmentalized and generally not very good
(compared to Roman Art)
And then... there is a shift in Faith in the Roman Empire!!
• Roman Faith (Polytheism) shifts to Monotheism as Paganism slowly gives way to Christianity as the favoured religion and faith in the Roman Empire
Polytheism: Belief in multiple Gods (ex. Mars-God of War, Jupiter (aka Zeus)-king of Gods, Juno-Goddess of
Wisdom)
Monotheism : Belief in only One God
How did that happen?
Emperor ConstantineEmperor ConstantineEmperor ConstantineEmperor Constantine
Year 312 CE: Emperor Constantine becomes a Christian, when just before battle he allegedly saw a vision of a cross over the sun with the following words:
"Εν Τουτω Νικα" ("By this, conquer!"
Year 312 CE: Emperor Constantine becomes a Christian, when just before battle he allegedly saw a vision of a cross over the sun with the following words:
"Εν Τουτω Νικα" ("By this, conquer!"
Battle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian Bridge
Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Ro), and thereafter they were victorious.
Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Ro), and thereafter they were victorious.
Edict of MilanEdict of MilanEdict of MilanEdict of Milan
Year 313 CE: the Edict of Milan makes Christianity the recognized religion in the Roman Empire
“We should let both the Christians and all others follow whatever religion they wanted to, so that whatever God there is in heaven may be happy and pleased with us and with all our subjects.”
Year 313 CE: the Edict of Milan makes Christianity the recognized religion in the Roman Empire
“We should let both the Christians and all others follow whatever religion they wanted to, so that whatever God there is in heaven may be happy and pleased with us and with all our subjects.”
““The Great Schism”The Great Schism”““The Great Schism”The Great Schism”
in 323 CE, Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire to the Greek town of Byzantium (which became known as Constantinople)
this split of the Empire also set in motion the religious division into the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches
in 323 CE, Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire to the Greek town of Byzantium (which became known as Constantinople)
this split of the Empire also set in motion the religious division into the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches
To sum up...To sum up...To sum up...To sum up...
Christianity infiltrates the Roman Empire
Christians persecuted at first
Christian art borrows symbols from Roman Art
More simple then Roman Art, focus is on symbolism and meaning rather than realism
Roman Faith=Polytheistim / Christianity = monotheism
Constantine converts to Christianity and in 313 CE officially recognizes the religion
Moves the capital from Rome to Constantinople
Christianity infiltrates the Roman Empire
Christians persecuted at first
Christian art borrows symbols from Roman Art
More simple then Roman Art, focus is on symbolism and meaning rather than realism
Roman Faith=Polytheistim / Christianity = monotheism
Constantine converts to Christianity and in 313 CE officially recognizes the religion
Moves the capital from Rome to Constantinople