ART1017 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What symbols represented Jesus in early Paleochristian art?
- Fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ)
- Deer
- Shepherd
- Phoenix
- Peacock
- Lamb
- Palm tree (symbolizing martyrdom)
These symbols were primarily found in catacombs, such as those of St. Sebastian, Priscilla, and Marcellinus and Peter.
What was the primary focus of early Paleochristian art?
Life after death, Stoic philosophy, and asceticism
Imagery remained symbolic and minimal due to Mosaic Law forbidding idolatry.
What significant event in 313 legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire?
Edict of Milan
What architectural plan did Old St. Peter’s Basilica set?
Basilica plan with rectangular nave, aisles, apse, clerestory
Built in Rome around 326.
What characterizes Byzantine art in the 6th century?
- Flattened, stylized figures
- Gold backgrounds
- Focus on interior architecture
- Symbolic hierarchy replacing Roman naturalism
Example: Hagia Sophia, built in 537.
What is the significance of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Christian art?
It marks a turning point in Christian mosaic art with a plain exterior and dazzling interior mosaics
Features imagery like Good Shepherd, Saint Lawrence, and the Evangelists.
What does the term Ars Barbarica refer to?
A style characterized by squat figures, simplified faces, and hierarchical scale, precursor to medieval art
What was the impact of Charlemagne on art during the Carolingian Renaissance?
Revival of Roman imperial ideals through a Christian lens (Renovatio)
Art merged Byzantine styles with Roman forms.
What architectural innovation is seen in St. Michael’s in Hildesheim?
Double apse and geometric design
Fill in the blank: The Basilica of Santa Maria Nuovo blends _______ and _______ imagery.
[processional saints], [court]
Who were the key figures in the Ottonian art period?
- Otto I
- Otto II
- Otto III
What characterizes the emotional portrayal of Christ in Ottonian art?
Increased emotional realism and theological depth
What was the significance of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312?
Constantine adopted the Chi Rho monogram
True or False: Byzantine art focused on naturalism and human representation.
False
What does the term ‘Renovatio’ refer to in the context of Charlemagne’s empire?
Revival of Roman imperial ideals through a Christian lens
What types of art flourished during the Carolingian Renaissance?
- Manuscript illustration
- Ivory carving
- Architecture
Example: Throne of Maximian and Saint Gall Monastery.
What defined the transition in churches like Santa Sabina and Santa Maria Maggiore in the 5th century?
Use of heavy symbolism and abstract biblical themes in mosaics
What are the key features of the churches built in Ravenna during the Byzantine period?
- Christ enthroned on a globe
- Vines and birds symbolizing paradise
- Political mosaics featuring Justinian and Theodora
- Architectural richness with marble revetment
Examples include San Vitale and Sant’Apollinare in Classe.
