Period

Early Christian
Historical background
A rapidly growing number of romans rejected polytheism in favor of monotheism but they did not stop
commissioning works of art.
Christians were persecuted minority in the Roman Empire. They were concerned by the growing
popularity of Christianity in the roman army.
Since the early Christian lived in a highly cultured age, it was perfectly logical that they should have
taken advantage of current trends in the figural arts and use them to express their own religious and
spiritual aspirations.
o (Giuseppe Bovini and David Talbot-Rice 2014, 124-125)
Factors
The emperor Diocletian became so concerned by the growing popularity of Christianity in the roman
army ranks that he ordered a fresh round of persecution under Trajan Decius.
The new building had to meet the requirements of Christian liturgy, provide a suitably monumental
setting for the rapidly growing number of worshipers.
o (Gardeners Art through the ages: A concise western history 3
rd
edition, Author: Fred S. Kleiner 2014,
135-138)

Artistic Charateristic
The earliest Chrisitian places of worship were usually remolded private houses that could accommodate
only a small community.
Christians carved out small rooms, called cubicula, to serve as mortuary within the catacombs.
The painters are often found decorating the walls of crypts or subterranean caves where martyrs relic
were buried and venerated.
o (Donald E strong 2014, 126)
Medium:
Brush
Bricks
Wood
Colored glass
stones
Frescoes
Marble
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_art august 6 2014, 8:56 pm)
Art form: architecture, sculptures, mosaics and paintings (Gardeners Art through the ages: A concise
western history 3
rd
edition, Author: Fred S. Kleiner 2014, 130)

Influential person:
Junius Bassus, he converted to Christian and grew up immersed in traditional roman catholic and initially
paid homage to the old roman gods but when he died he chose to be buried in a sarcophagus decorated
with episode from Hebrew scripture and the life of Jesus.
o (Gardeners Art through the ages: A concise western history 3
rd
edition, Author: Fred S. Kleiner
2014, 124)














Semiotic Iconic Contextual
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Documentation
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Reference:
Great art and artist of the world, Author: Donald E strong, Giuseppe Bovini, David Talbot-Rice, Peter
Lasko, George Zarnecki, George Henderson
Gardeners Art through the ages: A concise western history 3
rd
edition, Author: Fred S. Kleiner