Chapter 8: Early
Christian
Warm-up 12-5-14
Ch.8 L1 Early Christian
Obj: SWBAT
describe Christian
Iconography
HW Reading: Ch 8
Pg. 232-248
Test Corrections
due Monday 12/8
PAST DUE:
Chapter 16 China,
Cue Cards Due
Respond to the Following:
1.What is ‘iconography?’ Give 2
examples.
2.How did the Jewish religion
begin? (who? What?)
3.Take out your KWL chart on
Christianity.
Iconography
Definition:
• the visual images and symbols used in a work of art
Crash Course Video Christianity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG55ErfdaeY
1. what did the Jews believe that was different from those before
them? Where do they come from?
The Jews believed in in one god, Monotheism. They are also called
Hebrews. They come from the middle east/Mesopotamia.
2. How did they Jewish religion begin? What do they believe?
Abraham/Abram engaged in the ‘covenant’ (agreement) with that god,
promised he would have kids, prosperous descendants, & land.
Abraham and his descendants must practice Circumcision. Abraham
and his descendants are the “chosen people.”
3. What is the nature of the Hebrew god?
God is transcendent, does not take ‘human’ form.
HW Reading: Ch 8 Pg. 232-248
Due Monday 12/8:
Test Corrections
Due Thursday 12/11:
•Cue Cards Ch. 8 (4 cards) and 9
(5 cards)
•Quiz on Ch. 8, 9 & 16
Agenda:
Warm-up
 Announcements and
Reminders
 Notes
 Exit Slip

Winter Break Homework
Cue Cards:
Ch. 11 Medieval
Ch. 12 Romanesque
Ch. 17 Japan
PAST DUE:
Chapter 16 China Cue Cards
Office Hours
Tuesday 3:00-4:00
Thursday 3:00-4:00
CHAPTER 8—EARLY CHRISTIAN
CHAPTER 9—BYZANTIUM
Crash Course Video Christianity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG55ErfdaeY
4. Who is Jesus? What did he preach?
The son of God, messiah to the earth. He redeemed the world, He “undid”
the Jewish covenant-- Allowed people to be followers without circumcision,
sacrifices.
Preached love, peace and social justice. Spent time with down-trodden (poor,
prostitutes, criminals).
5. Who killed Jesus? Why?
The Romans, because his ideas were threatening to the Roman power.
6. What is the meaning behind the “Jesus Fish?” Why was this invented?
“Ichthys”, meaning ‘fish’, was an acronym for Christ. This allowed people to
talk about Christ without others knowing; it was a code word.
Europe and the Near East in Late Antiquity
12
EARLY Christian Art
Chapter 8
The Art of Late Antiquity
Theme: TRANSFORMERS
(born again, appropriation)
Dates: 4th and 5th centuries CE
13
Early Christian Art
Chapter 7
Theme: TRANSFORMERS
(born again, appropriation)
Dates: 4th and 5th centuries CE
Historical Background
• 200-300 years after Christ – Constantine issues Edict of Milan, & sponsors the
building of Christian churches (Constantinople  capital of Eastern R. empire
• Problem - How to depict God?- borrow motifs / symbols from pagan (Roman) art.
• Churches based on Roman basilica , w/ mosaics to teach the new converts.
• Goal of Churches = attract, teach and maintain converts
• By 410 , Visigoths sack Rome, Ravenna becomes capital of Roman Empire
•
•
•
•
What Happened in Art?
simplistic and more abstract.
“Types” not individuals
APPROPRIATION Early Christian art combines classical & Christian motifs
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Good Shepherd,
Orants, Story of
Jonah
Catacomb of Pietro
and Marcellino,
Rome, Italy
early 4th century
fresco
Good Shepherd
Catacomb of Pietro and Marcellino,
Rome, Italy
early 4th century
fresco
CATACOMBS
Christ
Good Shepherd
4th c. CE
M: fresco
F/L: catacombs (underground burial
chambers).
Narrative/Figures:
• Episodes from biblical story of Jonah
• Left-Sailors throw Jonah from his
ship
• Right-He emerges from the whale
• Bottom-Jonah on land contemplates
salvation and mercy of God
• Prefiguration of Christ who died and
rose from the grave
• Orant (hand up in prayer) figures in
between—Christian family
• Central figure—Christ as the good
shepherd, with sheep
• Rescued sinner/redemption
The Good Shepherd, the story of Jonah, and
orants, painted ceiling of a cubiculum in the
Catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus,
Rome, Italy, early fourth century.
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CATACOMBS
Christ
Good Shepherd
4th c. CE
M: fresco
F/L: catacombs (underground burial
chambers).
Style:
•Lunettes—semicircular frames
•Orant figures - People w/ hands up
in prayer
•Early images of Christ  youthful.
CONTENT / CONCEPT:
•Christ w/ lamb – appropriated from
classical motif. Sheep symbolizes
sinner who has been rescued.
The Good Shepherd, the story of Jonah, and
orants, painted ceiling of a cubiculum in the
Catacomb of Saints Peter and Marcellinus,
Rome, Italy, early fourth century.
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