Late Antique Art


Time Period: 200-500 C.E. 
  • Medieval Architecture is mostly religious
  • Characterised by Christianity; faced harsher persecutions, forbidden religious 
  • Many converts; Constantine blessed the religion; becoming a state religion
  • Most Christian art survives in catacombs; Christians were society's underclass 
  • Imitated Roman art, eventually surpassed them
  • Intensely narrative religion/art
  • When Christianity was recognised as an official religion in 380 C.E., Christ was no longer depicted as a humble shepherd; imperial imagery; purple and gold; staff. 
  • Christian mosaics are made of gold/precious materials and faced with glass; heavenly effect
New Testament: 
  • The Annunciation 
  • The Visitation
  • The Nativity 
  • Adoration of the Magi
  • Calling of the Apostles
  • Giving the Keys 
  • Last supper
  • Crucifixion 
  • Lamentation 
Architecture: 
  • Hundreds of miles of catacombs 
  • Roman practice of cremation repugnant; preferred burial 
  • Poor placed in loculi, wealthy in cubicula (often with extravagant sarcophagi)
  • Jews, Christians buried in catacombs 
  • Basilicas were meeting places
  • Shows adaption of Roman elements
  • Centrally and axially planned buildings 
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