Early Christian Art (250-526 CE)

Santa Sabina

Early Christian Art (250-526 CE) -100 years after Constantine's conversion -Classical architecture--> arches and columns -Recycled architecture from torn down Pagan temples -Beautiful decoration -The nave focuses attention on the apse which framed the alter

Old St. Peters, Rome

Early Christian Art (250-526 CE) -Believed to be the burial place for St. Peter -Torn down in the 16th century -Designed in the shape of a cross -Basilica -Separation between the baptized and non-baptized--> courtyard outside the church was created for the non-baptized to watch the service -Constantine's first imperial patron of Christianity

Catacomb Paintings

Early Christian Art (250-526 CE) -First works of Christian art -Underground tunnels -Over 14 million bodies are believed to have been buried here -Robbed during the Renaissance and then forgotten about -Images were veiled symbolic stories from the bible -Walls and chambers were painted -Early Christians still held the 2nd commandment very strictly (no images of god) -Catacombs were modest and cheap

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Mosaic

Early Christian Art (250-526 CE) -Outside brick, inside elaborate mosaics -Christ is represented in one mosaic as the Good Shepard -Dressed in purple and gold--> symbol of royalty and divinity -Halo around his head -Slowly moving away from the second commandment

Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

Early Christian Art (250-526 CE) -Very expensive--> made of marble, very elaborate sculpture -Inscription on the sarcophagus tells us who its for -Junius converted to Christianity -Very old, aristocratic Pagan family -One step closer towards breaking the second commandment -Shows images of Jesus and scenes from Hebrew scriptures that had significance in Christianity