History of the Early Christians, Jews, and Byzantines Through Art
INTRODUCTION: The Edict of Milan (or Toleration) issued by Constantine the Great in 313 AD provided
religious toleration for Christians. In 325 AD Christianity became the official religion of the empire. In 380 AD,
Emperor Theodosius I made Christianity the sole religion of the empire. The creation of Constantinople as the
capital of the Eastern Empire, not only divided Rome politically, but religiously as well. Soon the Western
Empire was recognized as the seat of Roman Catholicism and the Eastern Empire the seat of the Eastern
Orthodox Church.
Early Christian and Byzantine-According to Jansen's History of Art "Byzantine
art designates not only the art of the Eastern Roman Empire but a specific
quality of style as well. Early Christian does not designate a specific style; it
refers, rather, to any work of art produced by or for Christians during the time
prior to the splitting off of the Orthodox Church."
Early Christian Art
Painting-Earliest examples consist of wall paintings found within the catacombs. The paintings conveyed
religious messages most common with the core of Christianity, the miracle of the Incarnation and the promise
of Salvation.
Architecture-The recognition of Christianity by Constantine resulted in the construction of great churches. The
basilica built in Rome over the site of the tomb of St. Peter, became the model for future basilicas. Central plan
churches, such as the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, combined many of the elements of the basilica with the
elements of the ancient tholos.
Basilicas
A major building program instituted in 333 AD by Constantine was the
construction of a basilica over the burial site of St. Peter. The general
architectural elements used in the construction of Old St. Peter's Basilica
became the standard elements of all future basilicas.
Plan of Old St. Peter's
Central Plan Churches
Introduction-The central plan building was first used by Christians as
tombs, baptismal centers, or as shrines to martyrs. The plan was based
upon the cruceform or cross shaped design. The intersection of the two
arms of the cross was covered by a vaulted dome similar to that used by
the ancient tholos. The exteriors were very plain. The emphasis on
decoration was saved for the interior, where rich colorful mosaics cover
the walls and ceilings.
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, c425-26 AD
Mosaics-The large all surfaces on the interior of the newly built churches were left to the artists for decoration.
Great pictorial cycles were designed by master craftmen. Brilliantly colored tesserae created mosaics that
advertised the new religion as well instructed the worshippers in
the basic doctrines of the faith.
Good Shephard, lunette over west entrance, Galla
Placidia
Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, lunette over eastern bay,
Galla Placidia
Saint Apollinaris, First Bishop of Ravenna, apse of
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Byzantine Art
Introduction- The Byzantine Empire existed for more than a thousand years (from approximately 306 AD to
1453 AD). There were no clear-cut lines between Early Christian and early Byzantine art until the 5th century.
By then, certain stylistic differences were evident. True Byzantine art stylistically began 500 AD and lasted
until 730 AD. It included the reign of Justinian to the Iconoclasm (Greek for "image-breaking").
Architecture-The most important structure from the Golden Age of Byzantine Art was the construction of
Hagia Sophia in Constantinople by Emperor Justinian. Justinian hired two well known architects for the project,
Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorius of Miletus. In addition to Hagia Sopia, the construction of San Vitale and
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, in Ravenna, Italy illustrate the resurrection of the Western Empire under Justinian's
rule.
Hagia Sophia, Instanbul, 532-537 AD
plan of Hagia Sophia, Instanbul, 532-537 AD
San Vitale, in Classe, Ravenna, 526-547 AD
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, 533-549 AD
Mosaics
Saint Apollinaris, First Bishop of Ravenna, apse of
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
The Second Coming (Christ Between Angels and Saints), apse of San Vitale
Justinian and His Attendants, north wall of apse, San Vitale
Theodora and Her Attendants, south wall of apse, San Vitale
Icons and Manuscript Illumination
Virgin and Child With Saints, c75-50 BCE
Vladimir Madonna, late second or early first century BCE
Old Testament Trinity, 13-9 BCE
The Crucifixion, 13-9 BCE
The Ascension, 13-9 BCE