Catacombs of Saints Peter and Marcellinus

4^th c.

Rome

Early Christian

-The center of the cross has a man carrying a sheep- the lord as a shepard.

-Four figures stand with their hands up: a position that early christians prayed in. (Orant position)

-Jonah and the Whale: story where a man is in the body of a whale for three days and nights. His story parallels that of Jesus's

synagogue

Dura-Europos

3^rd c.

Early Christian

-Moses and Rock Horeb- Moses is told by god to strike a rock (the rock of Horeb) and from it springs 12 streams of water, one for each tribe.

-Lack of realism wont cause idolatry and will increase clarity for the purpose of the story.

Sarcophagus of of Junius Bassus

Rome

359 AD

Early Christian

-Made for a Junius Bassus, who converted to christianity on his death bed.

-Shows Christ giving the laws to saints peter and paul: he stands on Jupiter holding up cloth because he is the ruler of whole world, even the pagan world.

-missing the crucifixion scene

Arch of Constantine

312-315 2^nd c

Rome

Early Christian

-Re-uses Aspects of other, older roman Arches

-Figures are flat.

Santa Costanza,mausoleum, vault mosaics Rome,

c.337-351

Early Christian

-Centrally Planned Church-like pantheon

-Has Ambulatory-Ringlike barrel vaulted corridor surrounding main cylinder

-Costanza surrounded by grape scenes, which have eucharistic connotations.

-Austere Brick Exterior

-Mosaics change from floor to ceiling.

Santa Maria Maggiore mosaics

Rome

432-440

Early Christian

-First major western Church Dedicated to Mary

-Holy light emanates from jesus

-mary is glorified, flanked by angels and clad in gold.

-Simplified gestures/head cluster

-Shows parting of abraham (christianity) and lot (Sodom) from genesis

-Two dimensional imagery is acceptable because it allows for the clear telling of bible stories.

Galla Placidia Mausoleum

Ravenna, Italy

c 425

Early Christian

• Four angels (eagle, lion, ox, and winged man) for John, Mark, Luke and Mathew

• Jesus as Shepard shown pointing at heavens and petting sheep.

• Saint Lawrence, a martyr, is depicted with a grill, the instrument of his martyrdom.

• He appears to embrace his death.

• The four gospels are shown in a bookcase.

  Austere Exterior

  Cross Shaped Plan

Sant Apollinare Nuovo

Ravenna, Italy

 Dedicated 504

Theodoric: Patron

• calm figure of christ dominates the scene

• capable of three dimensions, but goes for stiff images for clarity.

• Christ's nimbus now incorporates cross and beard gone.

• Reduced number of apostles around him

• shows miracle of the loaves and fishes

  No background: Just Gold