Exam 7: Jewish and Early Christian Art

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The earliest christian iconography tended to be symbolic.The early figural representation of christ, for instance, most often show him as the good shepherd by directly borrowing from a classical prototype.He was also sometimes depicted in the guise of familiar gods or heroes such as Apollo or Orpheus.Churches and shrines were soon being built throughout the empire, many sponsored by constantine himself.These buildings are usually five-aisled basilicas.Large scale sculptures were not popular, but relief sculpture on sarcophagi continue to be produced.The art of this period had its roots in the classical Roman style, but it developed into a more abstract, simplified artistic expression.Although the art of the period intentionally departed from earlier naturalism, it sometimes has greater power and immediacy.