Term
[image] Arch of Constantine, 312-15, Rome |
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Definition
- Triple arch, erected by Roman Senate to celebrate Const. victory over Maxentius.
- incorporated imagery of Hadrian, Trajan, & Marcus--To establish himself as a great Roman emperor, among the most powerful rulers.
- Constantine appears in the center (only figure not confined by horizontal registers): Frontal Postion separates him from all other figures.
NEW METHOD OF SCULPTING: outlined forms by drilling a series of holes/grooves =>produced deep shadows and strong highlights. - forms no longer "classical" or "idealistic"-->move toward the abstract and expressionistic.
- illusion of substance rather than tangible form
- forms abstracted from natures symbolized intellectual and spiritual ideals.
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Term
[image] Head of Constantine, c. 325, marble |
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Definition
- One of many colossal statues constructed by Constantine.
- Served as symbols of his imperial presence
- individual characteristics, superhuman appearance.
- Eyes: fixed on spiritual source of emperor's rule, looking slightly upward towards gods acknowledged by his reign.
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Term
[image] The Good Shepherd, baptistery at Dura Europas, before 256 |
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Definition
- Depiction of Adam and Eve and Good Shepherd
- Typology: Fall of man-->salvation through Christ
- Artist chose to ignore the physical beauty of human beings in an attempt to communicate an important message.
Importance of placement in baptistery: - Reminds new christians of their sins
- Promise of salvation affirmed by St. Paul
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Term
[image] Teacher and Pupils, Orant and Woman and Child, catacomb of Priscilla, 3rd c. Rome |
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Definition
Decoration in the underground Catacombs: - painters worked in current illusionistic style
- modeling forms w/ loose fluid brush strokes and subtle colors.
Orant figure--Open arms, eyes upward towards God Woman & Child--could be earliest image of Virgin and Child. people to the left--historians unsure |
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Term
[image] Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, Rome c. 359 |
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Definition
Junius Bassus: - Held one of Highest official positions in Rome.
- Baptized on deathbead
Sarcophagus: - Carved on 3 sides
- was placed as near as possible to Tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican
- Themes: guarantee of salvation; Triumph of Roman Christian Church.
- 10 scenes from OT & NT framed by columns.
- Passion cycle
- Christ enthroned (alike to images of Jupiter)
- "the handing down of the law"
- Christ w/ Pontius Pilate
- Adam and Eve
- Abraham and Issaic
- Daniel and Lion
- Job wifey
- Peter and Paul martyrdoms
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Term
[image] Old St. Peter’s, Rome, 4th century |
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Definition
- Contains the shrine of St. Peter
- Construction ordered by Constantine
- BASILICA FORM
Function: - Martyrium
- pilgrimage center
- funeral basilica
- church for liturgy
Rebuilt in Ren. to account for growth and evolution of Christian Church. |
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Term
[image] Santa Costanza, Rome, c. 350 |
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Definition
Function: Had a cenral circular dome, encircling ambulatory. Sta. Costanza had 2 pagan husbands who may have influenced decoration of tomb. - cupid, libations vessels, birds, foliage, grapevine==>could be Bacchic or Christian.
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Term
[image] Vintaging Putti, mosaic from Santa Costanza, 350 c. |
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Definition
- Cupids, libation vessels, assorted birds, foliage and grapevine.
- Mosaic motif is pagan and late Roman Style
- COEXISTENCE of paganism ad Christianity
(wine could be associated w/ cult of Bacchus or w/ the Eucharist) |
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Term
[image] Santa Sabina, Rome, 422-432 |
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Definition
Perfect example of a Constantinian/Early Christian Basilica. Parts to Sta. Sabina: - Rectangular nave
- lower side isles,
- Clerestory
- raftered roof
- semi-circular apse covered by a half dome
- triumphal arch (juncture of apse and nave walls)
- murals covering apse and triumphal arch
- marble
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Term
[image] Santa Maria Maggiore, 432-440, Rome |
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Definition
commissioned by Pope Sixtus III--was his single most important project. Took the form of the funerary basilica of the 4th cent. - side aisles
- nave
- ambulatory
- ionic colonnade
Has been rebuilt several times over the past centuries. Mosaics - Nave mosaics have the oldest surving narrative cycle from Christian Rome.
- OT stories of Abrahame, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua
- OT patriarchs also interpreted as prefigurations of Chirst
- Emphasis on allegorical and miraculus happenings (this was a uniquely Christian trait.)
- NT images: symbolic mode even stronger
- (Infancy of Christ)
Original apse mosaic had an image of the Virgin as Queen of Heaven--raised to exalted state of the Theotokos. |
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Term
[image] Infancy of Christ, mosaics from Sta Maria Maggiore, 432-440 |
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Definition
Mosaic on the Triumphal Arch in Sta. Maria Maggiore: - figures stand erect & immobile.
- Hieratic presentation-->large heads block illusionsitic view to the background
- Proclaim eternal divinty and humanity of christ
- Role of Mary as Theotokos--mother of God
- Jesus, depicted as mini adult (not an infant)
- HUGELY IMPORTANT SYMBOL OF CHRIST'S DIVINITY: a medallion flanked by Sts. Peter and Paul and the emblems of the 4 evangelists, and imperial throne supports a cross, a crown, and apocalyptic lamb--Symbolizes Christ's 2nd coming
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Term
[image] Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, c. 425, Ravenna |
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Definition
A small mausoleum and martyr's chapel, once a part of Galla Placidia's first church--Sta. Croce. Plan: cross, in which 4 wings lean upon the sides of a higher central block. Blind arcades. Arms capped by pediments and tiled roofs. Pendentive dome. Decoration: lowere walls veneered in veined marble; ornamental & figurative mosaics--> allusion to celestial realm. *Thick bricks w/ narrow mortar joints--a style specific to N. Italy |
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Term
[image] Mosaic of the Good Shepherd, from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, 425 c. |
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Definition
Divine light in golden cross symbolizes Christ's 2nd coming. **couldn't find additional info in book or in notes. |
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