Early Christian Era

EARLY CHRISTIA

N ERA

Early Christian art and architecture (or Paleochristian

art) is the art produced by Christians or under Christian

patronage from the earliest period of Christianity to, depending on the definition used, some time

between about 350 A.D. and 525 A.D.

The beginnings of an identifiable Christian art can be traced to the end of the second century and the beginning of the third

century. The Old Testament prohibitions against graven

images.

CLOTHING

CLOTHING

The Bible says, “The soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a

part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top

throughout. They said therefore among themselves; Let us not rend it, but cast

lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith,

they parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.

These things therefore the soldiers did.” (John 19:23-24).

“You shall skillfully weave the tunic of fine linen thread, you shall make

the turban of fine linen, and you shall make the sash of woven work.

For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats

for them, for glory and beauty.” (Exodus 28:39-43).

In Christian art, Christ is depicted in a long tunic tied around the waist, or semi-nude as seen in pictures/crucifixes portraying the passion of the Christ.

During medieval times, Christian attire is shown as long flowing tunics of high quality with ornate type cloaks.

The fabric and quality of the clothing depended upon the status of an individual, availability of materials and financial resources.

The Early Christian and Byzantine architecture started in two prominent locations centered at Rome and Byzantium or Constantinople.

Early Christian architecture occurred in Rome and in areas around Rome

Byzantine architecture was centered at Byzantium

From the two focal points Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture spread to other areas in the European and Asian region

ARCHITECTURE

Here are some examples of the

architectural works during the Early Christian Era:

Basilica Church Type

It was suitable for use as a church with no serious modification and it could be easily and rapidly built at low cost

The most common form of the early churches had a rectangular hall with a timber trussed roof

It also had one or two isles on each side of a central nave and an apse at one end facing the principal entrance located at the other end

Basilica Church Type

Basilica Church Type

S. Giovanni in Laterano (AD 313-320)

The church consists of a central nave flanked by two narrow isles and separated from them by a monumental colonnade

The central nave rose above the isle roof, and the inner isle rose above the outer

The structure was of brick faced concrete covered with simple trussed-timber roof.

S. Giovanni in Laterano (AD 313-320)

S. Giovanni in Laterano (AD 313-320)

Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome (AD 333)

Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome

(AD 333)St. Peter’s Basilica was the most

important of the basilica churches built by Constantine

The church has a triple entrance gate leading to an atrium

It was built over what was believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter who was a disciple of Jesus

Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome

(AD 333)

Church Of Nativity, Bethlehem

Church Of Nativity, BethlehemIt was built at the place where Jesus,

is believed to be bornIt consists of a central nave, two

isles on each side of the nave, an apse at the head of the nave, an atrium before the entrance and uses clerestory lighting

Church Of Nativity, Bethlehem

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem (AD 335)

Affected by the constrain of site, it has a very short atrium

It is a 5 isle church terminating at a nave articulated by 12 columns

The side isles had a gallery on topThe outer isles lead to a long

peristyle court closing in a curve

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem (AD 335)

VISUAL ARTSNew Christians had been brought up on

the value of images in their previous cultural experience and they wanted to continue this in their Christian experience

For example, there was a change in burial practices in the Roman world away from cremation to inhumation. Outside the city walls of Rome, adjacent to major roads, catacombs were dug into the ground to bury the dead.

Families would have chambers or cubicula

dug to bury their members. Wealthy Romans would also have sarcophagi or

marble tombs carved for their burial. The Christian converts

wanted the same things. Christian catacombs were dug frequently

adjacent to non-Christian ones, and

sarcophagi with Christian imagery were apparently popular with

the richer Christians.

VISUAL ARTS

VISUAL ARTSA striking aspect of the Christian art of the

third century is the absence of the imagery that will dominate later Christian art

While not directly representing these central Christian images, the theme of death and resurrection was represented through a series of images, many of which were derived from the Old Testament that echoed the themes

What are the unique

characteristics of the Early

Christian Era?