Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Late Antiquity - The Origins of Christian Art
Selected images from Ch. 11, pp. 288-309 of Gardner's 'Art Through the Ages' (13th Ed.), and other relevant images.
14
Art History
12th Grade
11/20/2010

Additional Art History Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
[image]
Definition

 

Name: Samuel anoints David

Date: ca. 245 - 256 CE

Period/Style: Jewish, Late Antiquity

Artist/Architect: Unknown

Patron: Unknown

Original Location: Syria

Material/Technique: Detail of a mosaic with religious themes.

Descriptive Terms: Like many other murals from Dura-Europos, this mural is devoid of action and expression. The artist conveys a story through stylized gestures. The importance of Samuel is emphasized because he is bigger than the other characters.


 

Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Interior of the mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Date: 425 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian

Artist/Architect: Unknown

Patron: Unknown

Original Location: Ravenna, Italy

Material/Technique: Mosaic with religious motifs

Descriptive Terms: The entire interior of Galla Placidia was covered with mosaics. The building itself represents the fusion of two basic Antique building plans: the longitudinal plan (i.e. basilicas) and the central plan (i.e. mausoleums). 


Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

Date: 359 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian/Late Antique

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Rome, Italy

Material/Technique: Marble sarcophagus, subtractive sculpture

Descriptive Terms: The sarcophagus of Junius Bassus is not able for demonstrating the increasing acceptance of Christianity amongst Romans, and also the fusion of Christian subject matter (i.e. the Old Testament narratives depicted) with Classical design.


Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Christ Seated

Date: c. 350 - 375 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian/Late Antique

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Civita Latina, Italy

Material/Technique: Marble statuette.

Descriptive Terms: This piece is notable for being one of the few examples of Christian monumental sculpture. During this era, monumental sculpture became increasingly uncommon.


Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Interior of Santa Sabina

 

Date: c. 422 - 432

Period/Style: Early Christian/Late Antiquity

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Rome, Italy

Material/Technique: Early Christian Church, modeled on Old St. Peter's

Descriptive Terms: Notable for its longitudinal, basilica plan, its timbered-rood, and clerestory windows. Demonstrates the synthesis of old and new via the incorporation of Corinthian columns into the nave arcade.

 

Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Interior of Santa Costanza

Date: 337 - 351 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian/Late Antiquity

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Rome, Italy

Material/Technique: Interior of mausoleum.

Descriptive Terms: Highly refined example of the central-plan design. Incorporates ambulatory (a ringlike barrel-vaulted corridor separated from the central domed cylinder by a dozen pairs of columns)


Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Detail of vault mosaic in the ambulatory of Santa Costanza

Date: 337 - 351 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian/Late Antiquity

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Rome, Italy

Material/Technique: Mosaic on roof of interior.

Descriptive Terms: The vault mosaics of Santa Constanza depict putti harvesting grapes and producing wine, motifs associated with Bacchus, but for a Christian, such scenes brought to mind the Eucharist and Christ's blood.


Term
[image]
Definition

Name: The parting of Abraham and Lot, mosaic in the nave of Santa Maria Maggiore

Date: c. 432 - 440 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian/Late Antiquity

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Rome, Italy

Material/Technique: Mosaic panel with Old Testament motifs

Descriptive Terms: Use of "head cluster" (view crowd; represents many figures without going into detail). The figures engage in a sharp dialogue of glance and gesture, communicating the emotions of the characters without ambiguity. Notable for its incorporation of Classical design principles (it would be another century before Western Christian artists abandoned this style).

Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Christ as the Good Shepherd, mosaic from the entrance wall of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Date: 425 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Ravenna, Italy

Material/Technique: Mosaic on building interior

Descriptive Terms: Also notable for use of Classical design principles. Depicts Christ as a regal figure (see golden robe, halo, and stoic expression), and places Christ at the center of the piece.


 

Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Date: 425 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Ravenna, Italy

Material/Technique: Mausoleum or Church, constructed of brick

Descriptive Terms: Notable for being a cross-shaped structure, with barrel-vaulted arms and a tower at the crossing. Fuses two basic Late Antique plans: the longitudinal (basilicas) and the central (mausoleums and baptisteries).



Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Interior of Sant' Appolinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy

Date: 504 CE

Period/Style: Early Byzantine

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Ravenna, Italy

Material/Technique: Mosaic on building interior

Descriptive Terms: The mosaic decorations on the interior of the Church are divided into three zones. The upper two date from the time of Theodoric; they depict scenes from the Old Testament. Notable for showing the first mosaics with a "regal" Jesus in a purple robe and crown.

Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Detail of the Mircle of the Loaves and Fishes, mosaic from the top register of the nave wall of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo

Date: 504 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Ravenna, Italy

Material/Technique: Mosaic on building interior

Descriptive Terms: Also notable for use of Classical design principles. Depicts Christ as a regal figure (see golden robe, halo, and stoic expression), and places Christ at the center of the piece.


Term
[image]
Definition

Christ before Pilate, folio 8 verso of the Rosanno Gospels, early 6th century. Tempera on purple vellum.

 

Name: Christ before Pilate, folio 8 verso of the Rosanno Gospels

Date: c. 500 CE

Period/Style: Early Christian

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Ravenna, Italy

Material/Technique: Tempera on purple vellum

Descriptive Terms: Earliest preserved illuminated manuscript depicting scenes from the New Testament.


Term
[image]
Definition

Name: Woman Sacrificing at an alter, right leaf of the Diptych of the Nicomachi and the Symmachi

Date: c. 400 CE

Period/Style: Late Antique

Artist/Architect: -

Patron: -

Original Location: Ravenna, Italy

Material/Technique: Mosaic on building interior

Descriptive Terms: Exhibits the endurance pagan themes and patrons of the classical style, even after Rome became officially Christian. Depicts a woman sacrificing and conducting the rites of Bacchus.


Supporting users have an ad free experience!