Worksheet #12  Early Christian Art

Define the following words:

Codex

Parchment

Rotulus

Vellum

v     List three features of the third-century frescoes of Dura-Europas that would come to dominate Byzantine art:

          a.

          b.

          c.

v     How was Christ most often represented prior to Constantine?

        a.

        b.

v     List three attributes Christ acquired after Christianity became the official state religion.

          a.

          b.

          c.

•       Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

v     How does Santa Costanza (11-9 & 11-10) differ from the basilican churches?

v     What qualities of the mosaic medium made it the favorite of Early Christian and Byzantine artists? (See “Mosaics”)

v     What type of plan was used in the mausoleum of Galla Placidia (11-14) and why is it significant?

v     In the mosaic of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes (11-17), what stylistic changes occur that distinguish it from the Galla Placidia style of illusion in the mosaic of Christ as the Good Shepherd (fig. 8-18)?

a.

b.

c.

d.

v     Describe two reasons so many illuminated manuscripts survive today. (Read “Medieval Manuscript Illumination”)

          a.

          b.

Discussion Question

    Compare the basilica of Old St. Peter’s (11-7) with the reconstruction of the Aula Palatina (10-80 & 10-81).  What similarities and differences do you see in the plans, elevations, and building materials used? How was the more “spiritual” purpose of the Early Christian building reflected in the structure?