Women Witnesses to the Resurrection

The earliest known architectural art of the crucifixion was carved on the door of St. Sabina church in Rome in the 430s.

Here also appears the earliest architectural art of both resurrection scenes :

• The women at the Empty Tomb

• The women with the risen Christ

430s, St. Sabina Church, Rome. The crucifixion on a carved wood panel.

430s, St. Sabina Church, Rome. Two women at the Empty Tomb with the angel

430s, St. Sabina Church, Rome. Two women with the Risen Christ

Late 400s, Ravenna.

Ivory with two scenes:

Two women with theangel at the Empty Tomb

and

Two women with the Risen Christ

1100s, Venice. Two scenes: With the angel and with the Risen Christ

1310-1325, Italy. Three women with the angel at the Empty Tomb.

1310-1325, Italy. Three women with the Risen Christ.

One more look . . .

Compare the women’s posture in the earliest scene with Christ

to their posture in the later scenes.

Two women stand with Christ. St. Sabina Church, Rome, 430s.

Two women kneelbefore Christ.

Ravenna, late 400s.

Two women fall at the feet of Christ. Venice, 1100s.

Three women fall at the feet of Christ.1310-1325, Italy.

What happened to the women?

Art as Text

By Ally Kateusz

In honor of Ann Graham Brock