Class discussion: All visual art evolved from what came before. Early Christian imagery developed within Roman culture, so it is natural that many of the symbols were older pagan images simply cast with new meaning. Christian imagery also included earlier Jewish narrative.
Iconography is the study of symbolic subject matter in art. It is a complex field, especially for religious art, where the imagery gains layers of meaning over time. This activity is intended as an introduction to iconography as it appears in Early Christian art and borrows from the earlier Jewish and pagan ideas. You will explore examples of Early Christian art and architecture that borrow from previous imagery and forms.
Class coursework:
⦁ Introduce your work by title, year, present, and original location (if known.)
⦁ If it is an artwork, explain the meaning of its subject or tell the story pictured. Did the subject have an earlier life before Christianity? Explain. What has been borrowed from Jewish scripture or Greco-Roman imagery? Did the imagery take on a new significance for its Christian audience? Explain.
⦁ If you choose an example of church architecture, think about the layout and the architectural shapes. Describe the borrowings you see from previous Roman architecture. What forms did the early Christian churches take? What adjustments were made to the buildings to accommodate Christian ceremony?
