Early Medieval Art

Catacomb ceiling of SS Pietro e Marcellino
Rome, Italy
late third or early fourth century
Early Christian iconography
center shows a scene of the good shepard while the outside circles show scenes of Jonah ( is a prefiguration to Christ) The scenes put together create a cross shape. In between are figures praying.

Four Tetrarchs
Constantinople
c. 300
made of porphyry which is a very hard purple stone and is only used for imperial commisions.
Seperated into two pairs embracing each other
Both sets are identical and reject the classical realism of the late Roman period

Synagogue and Christian community house
Dura Europos
before 256 AD
Tempera on plaster
Torah shrine in center and is surrounded by images of Abraham, Moses, and David depicting important events in Jewish history.
This is strange bc modern synagogues do not believe in potraying a figural god

Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus
Rome, Italy
c. 251
Marble
Depicts victorious general at the center among Roman soldiers who have defeated the barbarians which are now pushed to the bottom.

Sarcophagus with Philosopher, orant, old and new testament scenes
Santa Maria Antigua, Rome, Italy
c. 270
A orant (praying figure) at center anda philosopher figure next to her ( philosopher motif comes from pagan art; a seated man holding scrolls)
on the right is two scenes of Jesus, one as the good shepard and the other is Christ being baptised
The story of Jonah is on the left with him lying under grape vines and contemplating

Sarcophagus of Julius Bassus
Rome, Italy
ca. 359
Marble carved in high relief
Two rows of colonnades with five compartments and alternating pediment and arch
Image of Christ, top center, seated on a throne
Scenes of sacrafice of Isaac and Adam and Eve and also one of Daniel in the lions den (another prefiguration of Christ)

Aula Palatina
Trier, Germany
Early 4th century
this building is still standing today
constructed by emperors as an imperial audience chamber
has an aisleless nave with a large apse at the end

Old Saint Peters
Rome, Italy
began ca. 320
built of brick, 390x210 ft.
Patron- Constantine
The location is believed to be where Saint Peter was buried
two continuous aisles on either side of the nave
An apse located at the end with a tranverse aisle in between

Baptistery of the Christian meeting house
Dura Europas
First half of the third century
located not far from the synagogue ehich is strange that people of different religions came together
Under the arch is a place where those would be baptised
On the wall behind this is a scene of the good shepard indicating God's love for all his sheep even the one that have wandered of and become lost.
There is also a scene of Adam and Eve who are the cause for sin and death to be created.
On the wall to the right is a scene of two or possibly more female figures advancing to the forground towards a coffin like structure. They are dressed in white and are believed to represent the women visiting the tomb of Christ on Easter morning to find him resurrected. The is a symbol of Christs victory over death accomplished through baptism

Reconstructed panel from restored chamber ceiling from Constantinian imperial palace
Trier, Germany
early fourth century
Made up of 15 figural panels with 7 portraits and 8 pairs of flying putti
There are four female figures believed to be Constantine's mother, wife, sister, and daughter
They all have an aura of light behind there head which suggests their high status
All are laviciously dressed and wearing jewels holding a lyre, a cup, a mirror, and a jewel-box
The bearded male figures suggest learned men

The re-use of architectural elements or decorative sculptures on new monuments, often taken by plunder
example is the Trajan arch

Is a half- moon shaped space often filled with decorations or a painting

Old testament stories that foreshadow the New testament; usually in relation to Christ
Examples are Jonah being swallowed by a whale only to emerge three days later unharmed, also Abrahams sacrificing his son Isaac just like God had to sacrifice Jesus, and also Daniel in the lions den

A praying figure
found in the sarcophagus with philosopher

A monogram or combination of letters that forms an abbreviation for Jesus Christ
Most common is - ICXC