Byzantine Art AH208
Handout 2
Image File RK208-2

FORMATION OF LATE ANTIQUE STYLE

Case Study: The Arch of Constantine, c. 315
including sculpture re-cycled from a monument of Trajan, c. 114,
a monument of Hadrian, c. 130,
and a monument of Marcus Aurelius, c. 180

Study the Arch of Constantine. Look at the various reliefs and with the help of the readings and websites sort out which are re-used and which were made for the arch. Think about the implications of their combination, both in style and subject matter. We will discuss these in class.

Compare the reliefs from the Ara Pacis Augustae, 13 b.c.

Other comparisons: Augustus of Primaporta, c. 20 b.c.

Porphyry Emperors from San Marco traditionally identified with the Tetrarchs and dated c. 305;
more recently Mathews and others have identified them with the sons of Constantine and dated them to 325-330.

Compare and contrast the Alexander Mosaic from Pompeii (copied from a Greek Hellenistic original) with floor mosaics from the early 4th century. What are the differences in artistic means? what effects are produced in each case?

Mosaics from Piazza Armerina, great hunt, early 4th century
Alexander Mosaic,Pompeii, Roman copy of a Greek Hellenistic original probably by Philoxenos, c. 300 b.c.

FORMATION OF CHRISTIAN IMAGERY

Hagios Georgios, Thessalonika, c. 300 (building); c. 500 mosaic decorations
One building spans the transition from imperial Roman pagan mausoleum to Christian church.

The Art of Dura Europos

Dura Europos was a small city on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire. When great earthen fortifications were constructed in 256 a.d. several religious buildings were buried. They were excavated in the 1930's and include a Mithraeum, a synagogue with elaborate painted decorations, and the earliest surviving Christian church. Art was used in sanctuaries at Dura Europos: the Mithraeum, the Synagogue, the Christian Baptistery, as well as others. How are the images arranged within the architecture? What sort of images are used--narrative, symbolic, images of deities?

Synagogue from Dura Europos, before 256, 1st half 3rd century
Christian Baptistery from Dura Europos, before 256,

Christian Art in Rome

Early Christian art survives in the catacombs (underground cemeteries) along the roads leading out of the city. These paintings are scattered on the walls around the tombs. They include allegories like the vine, good shepherd and abbreviated representations of scenes from the Old and New Testament.

Catacomb of Priscilla, 3rd century; Good Shepherd
Catacomb of San Callisto, late 3rd century
Tomb of the Julii beneath St. Peter's late 3rd, early 4th century
Catacomb of Via Latina, c. 350-400

Other Examples: Jonah Sarcophagus, late 3rd century
Marble figurines, Cleveland Museum, 2nd half 3rd century
How do these sculptures relate to the Second Commandment? "Thou shalt make no graven image?"

Dogmatic Sarcophagus, c. 325-50
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, d. 359

Evolved Christian decorative programs (only partially preserved.)

Santa Costanza, c. 350
Santa Maria Maggiore, mosaics 432-40