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Christiantiy and Art

What can we say about the role of art in early Christianity?

  • revulsion for art related to pagan worship
  • The Jewish Legacy: Exodus 20: 4-5; Exodus 25: 10-20; Numbers 21: 8
  • third-century custom at baptisms in Alexandria
  • art and baptisteries: the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, Naples (fifth century)
  • canon 36 of the Council of Elvira (fourth century)
  • Constantine and the construction of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, fastigium (fourth century)
  • Paulinus of Nola: art as the Bible of the illiterate (fourth century)

    What was the iconoclastic controversy?

  • iconoclasm and Byzantine imperial policy: 726-787 and again 815-843
  • recall Quinisext Council (691-692), Emperor Justinian II
  • effect of Islam
  • Emperors Leo III (717-741) and Constantine V (741-775)
  • riot at the Chalke gate (726)
  • iconoclasts vs. iconophiles (iconodules)
  • Ecumenical Council: Nicaea II (787) and the defence of the icons
  • John of Damascus (ca. 675-ca. 750): apologist for icons
  • iconoclast emperor Leo V (813-820)
  • restoration of icons = Triumph of Orthdoxy (843)
  • mosaics of the Monastery of Hosios Loukas (St. Luke), Greece, 11th century

    What roles did art play in the Christian experience?

  • Gothic churches
  • Last Judgment scenes
  • Jesus' suffering: the Pietà; Isenheim altarpiece and the crucifixion

    NB Key terms are underlined.