Week Four - Early Christian/Byzantine

  The Early Christian and Byzantine periods are often less talked about because they lack the unique stylistic aspect that the legacy of Greece or Rome had. The two main factors to look at when studying the Early Christian and Byzantine periods is the decline of Rome and the rise of Christ. The form and style seen in Roman period art are somewhat carried over into the art of Early Christian and Byzantine periods. Architecture on the other hand was heavily impacted by the new religion of Christianity. It used two forms from Roman architecture most often: the straightforward basilica and the idea of a central domed space. Architects and clergy often fought over what the most appropriate forms of architecture were for Christianity. As the architectural ideas advanced, the basilica became the Latin cross to represent the cross where Jesus was crucified. 

Early Christian
   When Christianity began, churches weren’t designed or built yet. Christians had to worship together in houses. They were known as church houses and were private homes, usually donated by wealthier Christians. Some were converted into synagogues and known as tituli. They added frescos of biblical stories to help transform the building. Some later ended up becoming actual churches after Christianity was legalized. The private homes that became actual churches were known as domus ecclesiae. They usually had a central courtyard surrounded by a number of rooms. The rooms were joined together to create a larger gathering space for around 50 people. There were other rooms that could be used for other ceremonial and religious purposes like education, baptism, private prayer, mass, or storage for more sacred items. 

Church House

Catacombs
   Catacombs served as cemeteries for the Christian dead. They consisted of networks of passageways and chambers underground. The tunnels were usually 3 to 4 feet wide. They contained small openings in the walls, called Loculi, where the dead body would be placed. There was also a small carved room called a Cubiculas for a mortuary chapel. They usually consisted of more than one level underground and levels were connected by stairs. Catacombs could run anywhere from 60 to 90 miles long. Churches were often built on top of existing catacombs once Christianity became an approved religion. They were normally located outside a city’s wall on private property. These are very important because they are where most of the Early Christian period art has been found. 

Catacomb

Byzantine
   There were three major Byzantine cities: Constantinople, Venice, and Ravenna. Constantinople was first known as Byzantium but was later renamed Constantinople by the Roman emperor Constantine. Constantine adopted Christianity and moved the capital to Constantinople. Venice was a busy and vibrant center for trade at that time. The city of Ravenna held the emperor’s interests in the West. It contained many Early Christian monuments and many Byzantine artworks.  The San Vitale was built in Ravenna during the reign of Emperor Justinian, a master builder. The San Vitale was built to try to prove that a centrally planned church could hold a larger congregation. It was dedicated in 547 C.E. and its form and decoration largely reflected the grandeur of Rome. 

San Vitale

Current Applications:

Early Christian representations of biblical characters are still used today in churches. 

The use of Mosaics seen in Early Christian churches are still seen today in modern art

One Step Further:

Antoni Gaudi was a Catalan architect and designer. He is very well-known for his unique and modern designs. He was born on June 25, 1852, in Reus, Spain, and died on June 10, 1926. Antoni Gaudi's work was mainly influenced by his greatest passions: architecture, nature, and religion. Most of his designs are located in Barcelona. Gaudi would develop his designs for extended periods of time, creating many sketches and even scale models. This was more rare during this time period. Throughout his career, he developed the nickname "God's Architect" because of how his strong catholic faith influenced his designs. I think this is a very noble trait and I think our faith should impact everything we do in our lives.

Extra Links:

-The Paris Catacombs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CfazQ2P8D8

-Church of San Vitale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5roWfW2Ghw