The purpose of this work is to analyze two famous works of art that are the great examples of artistic tendencies in fourth and sixths AD. and were influence and inspiration for many artists. Most of the Christian art dates back not earlier than to the fourth century and the reason for it was the fact, that at that time the Christianity was against the law. Nevertheless, a number art works, frescoes and paintings show the beliefs, customs and traditions of the early Christians. The majority of those artworks portray the stories from the Bible. They are dedicated to the idea of salvation and eternal life. The Catacombs of St. Domitilla contain the most complete and expressive Art and life stories of first Christians in Ancient Rome at the beginning of the Christian era till the third and ninth centuries. At that time the early Christians could not be buried in cemeteries.
They were usually buried together with pagans or along the roads and on bare fields in the country. But by the third century, due to the lack of free land for burials the numbers of small underground tombs were dug. At the same time the wall to the left from the catacomb entrance was decorated with various frescoes. Those paintings are dated by the middle of the fourth century. The figure of Christ in the middle of the fresco is surrounded by the figures of twelve Apostles. The figure of a praying woman is seen.
The Essay on Early Christian Art
The present state of Christianity is completely different to its past. During the early years of Christianity, Christians were persecuted for their faith. Due to heavy persecution, early Christians had to use some kind of secret communication. This had given way to the birth of Early Christian art. Due to the proximity in the timeline, Early Christian art had shown much influence from Byzantine ...
The Apostle Peter is on the left side and the Apostle Paul is on the left side. At the sides there are pictured two doves with olive branches, which represent the symbols of peace and salvation. Christ at the Last Supper teaching the Twelve Apostles around was the most commonly pictured scene in the fourth century.. The Christian art usually portrayed the symbol of the Heavenly Kingdom as the sovereignty and teaching authority of Christ and His representatives. And this fresco added the new meaning to the place of the burial. It accented the importance of the Christianity, showing, that those, who followed the teaching of Christ would know the Heavenly Kingdom.
They disapproved of atheism and even accused it. Each of these works of art was meant to carry a message of salvation and to be a lesson to anyone who looked at them. The anticipation of the glorious banquet shows what is awaited the true Christian in the next life. The second artwork of this discussion is the Mosaic in San Vitale, which shows the Empress Theodora of Byzantium. Theodora was a circus-dancing girl, who became the wife of the Emperor of Byzantium Justinian I in 527 AD. Theodora and Justinian developed the Constantinople and made it one of the most beautiful cities. Theodora was considered the first woman, who influenced the womans rights movement. She passes made that gave women more rights and considered the example of the Christian virtue.
At the sixth century mosaics was one the most common and favorite artworks. The image of Theodora portrayed in this beautiful mosaic Artists created them by embedding thousands of little pieces of glass, stone or metal upon a wall or floor. A few were created for private villas, but the majorities were done in public places, such as churches, to emphasis the generosity and power of their patrons. The Byzantine style mosaic shows the age and social status of people through choices of colors and setting of rows in patterns. On this mosaic Theodora is pictured in a purple robe. The image is filled with hidden messages meant to be adding a mysterious and magical effect to the interior; it is full of underlying meaning. The purple color symbolizes richness and noble status. The halo that crowns her, which was typically used for saints, shows her great importance and emphasizes the holiness and purity that makes her past before her marriage to Justinian completely unimportant in the face of the God.
The Essay on Frontal View Mosaic Christ Significant
once i had a huge ass dog but the mother fucker bit my fucking hand off The mosaic in the apse of San Vitale in Ravenna depicts a younger version of Christ. This is significant because it shows a beardless Christ, signifying that he may be from the Mediterranean. His halo contains the Cross and he is wearing a purple robe. It is rather two-dimensional, because the draperies do not convey a sense ...
The use of the halos was also the statement, that the King is the head of the Church. The mosaic is flat, rhythmic, and has wide eyes with otherworldly looking figures. In her hand she holds a chalice, which is repeated embroidered on her the robe. The three figures and gifts represent the three magi from the east bearing gifts to the newborn Christ. Theodora herself came from the East, and portraying of her image bearing gifts symbolizes freedom for the San Vitale. Her prominence but slightly off-center disposition symbolizes her status as co-regent to Justinian.
The panels are integrated into the larger apse decoration by the simple and standard means of ornamental borders and decorative architecture. The both discussed artworks carry the importance of the Christian virtue and goodness. The fresco of Christ teaching the Twelve Apostles was done at the times difficult for the Christians. It reveals the mournful scene of the Last Christs evening with his followers, which indicates, that at that times every day could become the last for Christians. The resulting idea of this fresco is irreversible soon death, which still awaited many Christians and goodness, which is possible only after. The Christs holy sacrifice was the example for all the Christians.
The mosaic of Theodora, unlike the fresco, was made in the Church. That is the evidence that by that time were long gone the times of Christian illegal status. The mosaic was done during the prominent success and bloom of the Byzantium Empire and it lauds the person, who was the cause for that success. The theme of this mosaic is not death, but life and the one, who helped to make this life better. Even after the death of Theodore her spirit lived and in this way she was able to have influence on the Empire. But despite the difference of themes in these artworks, the artistic devises and methods, despite the changes in the outer world they carry the same idea.
The idea of the Christian virtue, the message, that the cause will not fail and the Christian principles that Christ taught, will go forth conquering. Bibliography. Bridge, Anthony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978. Reprint, 1993. Baker, John W. Justinian and The Later Roman Empire.
The Essay on The Biblical Basis For Christian Education
The Biblical Basis For Christian Education In my opinion I feel that the biblical basis of educational ministries are four basic ideas that teaching should be seen as a light of the world, it should bring out old as well as new feelings in people, be an example to all mankind, and be followed always. There are many more biblical basis for Christian education, but in my eyes I find these the most ...
London: The University of Wisconsin Press. 1966. Bargebuhr, Frederick. The Paintings of the `New’ catacomb of the via latina and the struggle of Christianity against paganism. Heidelberg, 1991 Fresco Christ Teaching the Apostles. Catacomb of Domitilla, Rome. 300 AD. Height: 15 inches; length: 51 inches.
Mosaic Theodora and Her Retinue. San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy. 547 A.D..
