Early Jewish art focused on ceremonial objects due to restrictions on figurative art from the Second Commandment. The first recorded Jewish artist was Bezalel, who designed the Tabernacle. Few ancient Jewish art objects survive due to persecution and exile. After the Babylonian Captivity, Jewish cultural advancement slowed until the late 18th century when Jews gained more access to art. The Bezalel School in Jerusalem led a modern Jewish art movement in the early 20th century. Early Christian art borrowed styles from Roman art and focused on frescoes, mosaics, sculpture and manuscripts hidden in places of worship until Christianity became the state religion in 313.

1. Late Antique and Early Christian Art William V. Ganis, PhD

2. Judaism is the " religion , philosophy , and way of life" of the Jewish people . [1] Judaism, originating in the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Tanakh ) and explored in later texts such as the Talmud , is considered by Jews to be the expression of the covenantal relationship God developed with the Children of Israel . -Wikipedia

3. Jewish Art

4. Let's go back to where it all began… Ancient Jewish art goes over centuries ago. In those times the prevalent opinion was that creating art by drawing and sculpting was a violation of the second commandment " graven images". Despite this approach, Jewish people had a need to express their longing for beauty and art. Their solution was found by focusing on adornment of their ceremonial objects and producing less by using graphic arts. It can be traced back to the sources You can find several historical reports documenting the creation of Jewish art throughout history. Take the Bible for example; it records the building of altars and later of a tabernacle that the Israelites carried through their desert wandering when led out of Egypt. These creations all accumulate to one historical figure, do you know who I'm talking about? The first creator ancient Jewish art The first Jewish artist on record was named Bezalel . He was an architect, sculptor and designer of holy garments . Mostly he was known for making the Tabernacle that contained the Ark of the Covenant . Now let's move to a matter that may be puzzling you right about now… With centuries of creating why do so few objects remain? Unfortunately, because the Jews were exiled and persecuted over the years, many ancient Jewish art objects created prior to the sixteenth century did not survive . Among the items that have remained are the beautiful mosaics of Beth Alpha in Israel and segments of an ancient synagogue in Duro-Europos, Syria. But this is not all!

5. Another reason for the rareness of these objects After the Babylonian Captivity , Jewish cultural advancement slowed down, Jews became scattered throughout the globe, wandering and persecuted. Those living in Europe were not permitted to take part in the creation of art. This was because art was considered to be under the influence of the church. So how did this all change? The turning point… This approach began fading towards the end of the eighteen century with the growing popularity of the spirit of emancipation and the emphasis on education . This change eventually opened the doors of art academies to Jews. Parallel to this development there grew an interest in and demand for Judaica. The most significant development Around this time, the Zionist movement began to grow and the link to the land of Israel as the home of the Jewish nation became stronger. The Bezalel School of the Arts was founded in Jerusalem in 1906 . And headed by its founder, Boris Schatz , it led the first modern movement to create a contemporary Jewish style of art. When contemporary and ancient come together Jewish ceremonial art created today is influenced by the spirit of the Bezalel School but also takes the liberty to combine a variety of antique styles with modern materials such as glass, plastic and porcelain. These items are purchased all over the world, some bought by collectors, some to be used when worshiping God and others as valued gifts. But always, using Jewish art strengthens your belief in the continuity of Jewish history and cultural development

6. Chronology of Early Christianity Crucifixion of Christ ca. 29 Crucifixion of St. Peter ca. 64 Persecution of Christians Trajan Decius 249-251 Diocletian 303-305 Edict of Milan 313 Foundation of Constantinople 324 Christianity becomes state religion 390 Fall of Rome to Alaric the Visigoth 410

8. Synagogue Dura Europos, Syria ca. 245-256 Synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. The synagogue contains a forecourt and house of assembly with painted walls depicting people and animals, and a Torah shrine in the western wall facing Jerusalem . The paintings cover the walls of the main "Assembly Room", using three levels of pictures over a dado frieze of symbols in most places, reaching a height of about 7 metres. The scenes depicted are drawn from the Hebrew Bible and include many narrative scenes, and some single figure "portraits" - 58 scenes in total, probably representing about 60% of the original number. They include the Sacrifice of Isaac and other Genesis stories, Moses receiving the Tablets of the Law , Moses leading the Hebrews out of Egypt , the visions of Ezekiel , and many others. The Hand of God motif is used to represent divine intervention in a scene.

9. The paintings cover the walls of the main "Assembly Room", using three levels of pictures over a dado frieze of symbols in most places, reaching a height of about 7 metres. Synagogue Interior Wall paintings of Old Testament scenes from Dura Europos, Syria ca. 245-256 tempera on plaster

10. The scenes depicted are drawn from the Hebrew Bible and include many narrative scenes, and some single figure "portraits" - 58 scenes in total, probably representing about 60% of the original number. Synagogue Interior Wall paintings of Old Testament scenes from Dura Europos, Syria ca. 245-256 tempera on plaster Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Dagon

11. Reconstruction of Christian Community House Dura Europos, Syria ca. 240-256

12. Baptistery from Christian Community House Dura Europos, Syria ca. 240-256

13. Baptistery from Christian Community House Dura Europos, Syria ca. 240-256 tempera paintings Christ Walks on Water

14. Baptistery from Christian Community House Dura Europos, Syria ca. 240-256 tempera paintings Christ the Good Shepherd

15. Baptistery from Christian Community House Dura Europos, Syria ca. 240-256 tempera paintings Christ Healing the Paralytic

17. The Catacombs of Rome are ancient catacombs , or underground burial places under or near Rome , Italy , of which there are at least forty, some discovered only in recent decades. Though most famous for Christian burials, they include pagan and Jewish burials , either in separate catacombs or mixed together. Loculus (pl. Loculi) is a Latin word literally meaning little place and was used in a number of senses. In architecture it is a recess large enough to receive a human corpse. Usually found in either a catacomb , hypogeum , mausoleum or other place of entombment. Loculus can also refer to an alternative name for a sarcophagus . Catacomb showing loculi Rome 3rd-4th centuries

18. Orant is a type of gesture during prayer in which the hands are raised, set apart, and the palms face outward. It was once common in early Christianity , and can frequently be seen in early Christian art . For example, orant gestures are depicted in Roman catacombs as vault frescos that date to the 4th century C.E. Good Shepherd, Orants, Story of Jonah Catacomb of Pietro and Marcellino, Rome, Italy early 4th century fresco

19. Good Shepherd Catacomb of Pietro and Marcellino, Rome, Italy early 4th century fresco

20. Orant figure Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome,Italy 3th century fresco

21. A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse , most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning " flesh ", and φαγειν phagein meaning " to eat ", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos . ( λιθος σαρκοφάγος ) The word came to refer to the limestone that was thought to decompose the flesh of corpses interred within it . Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenes from Rome, Italy ca. 270 marble 1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.

22. Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenes from Rome, Italy ca. 270 marble 1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.

23. Sarcophagus with Old and New Testament Scenes from Rome, Italy ca. 270 marble 1 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in.

24. Iunius Bassus signo Theotecnius (June 317 - 25 August 359) was an ancient Roman politician. The son of the praetorian prefect Junius Annius Bassus , he was vir clarissimus and vicarius of Rome as well as praefectus urbi . The important Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus shows him to have been a Christian . Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus from Rome, Italy ca. 359 marble 3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

26. Early Christian Art -This is the art and architecture produced for the unsplited Christian church. This art extends over the Late Antique period, Roman art and architecture (the late 2nd - 7th century), and the Byzantine art and architecture (from 5th - 7th century). Before the Edict of Milan (313), which made Christianity the Roman Empire's state religion, Christian art was restricted to the decoration of the hidden places of worship . Most early religious artists worked in manner that was derived from Roman art, appropriately stylized to suit the spirituality of the religion . Early Christians used the same artistic media as the surrounding pagan culture. These media included fresco , mosaics , sculpture , and manuscript illumination . Early Christian art not only used Roman forms, it also used Roman styles . Late classical style included a proportional portrayal of the human body and impressionistic presentation of space . Late classical style is seen in early Christian frescos, such as those in the catacombs of Rome.

27. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus from Rome, Italy ca. 359 marble 3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

28. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus from Rome, Italy ca. 359 marble 3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft.

29. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus from Rome, Italy ca. 359 marble 3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft. Raising of Lazarus Fall of Adam and Eve

30. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus from Rome, Italy ca. 359 marble 3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft. Christ Entering Jerusalem

31. Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus From Rome, Italy ca. 359 marble 3 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 8 ft. Christ Enthroned

32. Christ Enthroned ca. 350-375 marble approximately 2 ft. 4 1/2 in. high

33. Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (restoration drawing) Rome, Italy ca. 320

34. Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (plan) Rome, Italy ca. 320 1. Nave 2. Aisles 3. Apse 4. Transept 5. Narthex 6. Atrium

35. Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (section) Rome, Italy ca. 320

37. The Aula Palatina was built around 310 AD as a part of the palace complex. Originally it was not a free standing building but had other smaller buildings attached to it, such as a forehall, an entrance vestibule and some service buildings. The Aula Palatina was equipped with a floor and wall heating system ( hypocaust ). Aula Palatina (basilica) Trier, Germany early 4th century

38. Aula Palatina (basilica) Trier, Germany early 4th century

39. Aula Palatina (basilica) Trier, Germany early 4th century

41. Santa Sabina was built by Priest Petrus of Illyria , a Dalmatian priest, between 422 and 432 on the site of the house of the Roman matron Sabina , who was later declared a Christian saint. It was originally near a temple of Juno . Pope Honorius III approved in 1216 the Order of Preachers , now commonly known as the Dominicans . On June 5, 1222, Honorius III ceded the church of Santa Sabina to Saint Dominic , the founder of the Order of Preachers Santa Sabina Rome, Italy ca. 422-432

42. Santa Sabina Rome, Italy ca. 422-432

43. Santa Costanza Rome, Italy ca. 337-351

44. The church was built under Constantine , probably by Constantina , next to the cemetery of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura , where Saint Agnes , who allegedly had healed Constantina, was buried. After their deaths, Constantine's daughters Constantina and Helena were buried here [1] . Since Constantina was venerated as saint, the mausoleum was consecrated as a church in 1254 by Pope Alexander IV . Santa Costanza Rome, Italy ca. 337-351

45. Santa Costanza Rome, Italy ca. 337-351 Longitudinal Section Plan

46. Santa Costanza vault mosaic Rome, Italy ca. 337-351 tessera mosaic

47. Santa Costanza vault mosaic Rome, Italy ca. 337-351 tessera mosaic

48. The Tomb of the Julii has a famous but unique mosaic of Christ as Sol Invictus , a sun-god Christ as Sol Invictus from the Mausoleum of the Julii Rome, Italy late 3rd century tessera mosaic

49. The pope wanted a shrine built at the site where an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in identical dreams shared by a local patrician Giovanni Patrizio and his wife and by the pope. According to tradition, the outline of the church was physically laid out on the ground of the nobleman's property by Liberius himself under a miraculous, but predicted, snowfall that took place on the night of 4–5 August 352 (or 358) Santa Maria Maggiore Rome, Italy 432-440 tessera mosaic Drowning of the Egyptians in the Red Sea

50. Santa Maria Maggiore Rome, Italy 432-440 tessera mosaic Hospitality of Abraham

52. The building (formerly the oratory of a wider church of the Holy Cross) contains three sarcophagi ; it was said that the largest was that of Galla Placidia , (died 450, daughter of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I ), and that her embalmed body was deposited there in a sitting position, clothed with the imperial mantle; in 1577, however, the contents of the sarcophagus were accidentally burned . The sarcophagus to the right is attributed to Emperor Valentinian III or to Galla Placidia's brother, Emperor Honorius . The one on the left is attributed to Galla Placidia's husband, Emperor Constantius III . Aelia Galla Placidia (392 – November 27, 450), daughter of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I , was the consort of Ataulf king of the Goths and after his death the Empress consort of Constantius III , Western Roman Emperor . Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Ravenna, Italy ca. 425

53. Christ as the Good Shepherd from the entrance wall of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Ravenna, Italy ca. 425 tessera mosaic

54. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Ravenna, Italy ca. 425 tessera mosaics

55. Dome Mosaic of Heaven Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Ravenna, Italy ca. 425 tessera mosaic

56. Saint Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy dedicated 504

57. The row below contains large mosaics in Byzantine style, lacking any individuality, having all identical expressions . These were executed about 50 years after the time of bishop Agnellus, when the church had already become a Catholic church. To the left is a procession of the 22 Virgins of the Byzantine period, lead by the Three Magi , moving from the city of Classe towards the group of the Madonna and Child surrounded by four angels. Saint Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy dedicated 504

58. Saint Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy dedicated 504

59. Saint Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy dedicated 504 tessera mosaic Raising of Lazarus

60. Saint Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy dedicated 504 tessera mosaic Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes

61. Saint Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy dedicated 504 tessera mosaic Christ Foretelling Peter’s Denial

62. Saint Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy dedicated 504 tessera mosaic Ascension of Christ

63. The text is a fragment of the Book of Genesis in the Greek Septuagint translation. The text is frequently abbreviated. There are twenty-four surviving folios each with a miniatures at the bottom of both sides. It is thought that there were originally about ninety-six folios and 192 illustrations . It is written in uncials with silver ink on calfskin parchment dyed a rich purple . This shade of purple dye was also used to dye imperial cloth . Vienna Genesis Early 6th century tempera, gold, silver on purple vellum 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.

64. Vienna Genesis Early 6th century tempera, gold, silver on purple vellum 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. Genesis chapter 32 Jacob travels to meet Esau Jacob travels over the Jabbok brook Jacob wrestles with the Angel Jacob blessed by the Angel Jacob’s 11 sons

65. Vienna Genesis Early 6th century tempera, gold, silver on purple vellum 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. Genesis chapter 24:15 Rebecca Leaves Nahor Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well

66. The Rossano Gospels narrated the events of Jesus' life which were a huge controversy in the Early Byzantine period. In 325 Constantine I called the First Ecumenical Council to determine Orthodox theology. The second council was called in 451 to discuss the matter of the duality of Christ. The duality of Christ became perhaps the most controversial issue of Byzantium in the 500's and continued throughout the history of Christianity. The Orthodox Christians believed that Christ was equally human and divine while the monophysites believed that Christ was both man and divine . The argument centered around Christian art . This conflict led to Constantine convening the Iconoclastic Council of 754 which decided that there should be no more representations of Christ or any other religious figures, and that all images of religious content be destroyed. Rossano Gospels early 6th century tempera on purple vellum 11 x 10 1/4 in.

67. Rossano Gospels early 6th century tempera on purple vellum 11 x 10 1/4 in. Matthew chapter 27 Christ before Pilate

68. Pilate Washing his Hands, Christ Carrying the Cross, Denial of Peter from a casket ca. 420 ivory 3 x 3 7/8 in.

69. Suicide of Judas and Crucifixion from a casket ca. 420 ivory 3 x 3 7/8 in.