2. Early Christian art and architecture (or
Paleochristian art) is the art produced
by Christians or under Christian
patronage from the earliest period of
Christianity to, depending on the
definition used, some time between
about 350 A.D. and 525 A.D.

3. The beginnings of an identifiable
Christian art can be traced to the end
of the second century and the
beginning of the third century. The Old
Testament prohibitions against graven
images.

6. The Bible says, “The soldiers, when they had
crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made
four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his
coat: now the coat was without seam, woven
from the top throughout. They said therefore
among themselves; Let us not rend it, but cast
lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture
might be fulfilled, which saith, they parted my
raiment among them, and for my vesture they
did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers
did.” (John 19:23-24).

7. “You shall skillfully weave the tunic of
fine linen thread, you shall make the
turban of fine linen, and you shall make
the sash of woven work. For Aaron’s sons
you shall make tunics, and you shall
make sashes for them. And you shall
make hats for them, for glory and
beauty.” (Exodus 28:39-43).

8. 


In Christian art, Christ is depicted in a
long tunic tied around the waist, or seminude as seen in pictures/crucifixes
portraying the passion of the Christ.
During medieval times, Christian attire is
shown as long flowing tunics of high
quality with ornate type cloaks.
The fabric and quality of the clothing
depended upon the status of an
individual, availability of materials and
financial resources.

10. There are not many important buildings of the
Early Christian style. It came into being at a
time when not much building was going on
that is, during the early centuries of
Christianity, and what good examples there are,
are nearly all churches. During the first three
centuries of the Christian era Christianity was
under the ban of persecution, and there was
not much chance for it to manifest itself in
great architecture.

11. Early Christian churches come in two forms,
both inspired by Roman architecture:
CENTRALLY PLANNED and AXIALLY
PLANNED

12. AXIALLY PLANNED
CENTRALLY PLANNED

13. Here are some examples
of the architectural
works during the Early
Christian Era:

14. The Ancient Basilica
of Santa Sabina,
Rome (circa 425) has
a typical basilical
plan with a high
semi-circular apse.

15. The Basilica of San
Stefano Rotondo,
Rome (circa 470) has
lost the outer of its
three arcades but
retains the ancient
core of the structure.

16.  The church consists of a
central nave flanked by
two narrow isles and
separated from them by a
monumental colonnade
 The central nave rose
above the isle roof, and
the inner isle rose above
the outer
 The structure was of brick
faced concrete covered
with simple trussedtimber roof.

17.  St. Peter’s Basilica was
the most important of
the basilica churches
built by Constantine
 The church has a triple
entrance gate leading to
an atrium
 It was built over what
was believed to be the
tomb of Saint Peter who
was a disciple of Jesus

18. Little is known about Christian art in the
first two centuries after the death of Jesus.
Among the earliest manifestations extant
are the early 3d-century paintings on the
walls of the catacombs in Rome. Whereas
the style resembles that of secular Roman
wall painting, the subject matter consists
mainly of biblical figures.

19. Other common Early Christian arts:
Mosaics and manuscript
illumination
Sculpture

20.  Elaborate mosaic narrative cycles covered the upper walls,
triumphal arch, and apse of basilican churches.
 The use of gold backgrounds heightens the effect of other
worldliness and transcendence. In contrast to
paganism, the Christian faith was bound by the authority
of sacred writings, and it placed increasing importance on
the production of books and their illumination.
 Some fragments of the biblical text, written in silver and
gold on purple vellum and sumptuously illuminated, are
still preserved. Foremost of these is the Vienna Genesis, a
manuscript of the first half of the 6th cent.

21. An example of a mosaic
found in a basilica
The use of gold
backgrounds heightens
the effect of other
worldliness and
transcendence

22.  Some fragments of the
biblical text, written in
silver and gold on purple
vellum and sumptuously
illuminated, are still
preserved. Foremost of
these is the Vienna
Genesis, a manuscript
of the first half of the
6th century

23. The sculpture of the stone sarcophagus was
extensively practiced in Roman art and was
continued into the Christian era.
In some cases subjects similar to those of the
catacombs were used. In others, scenes of the life
of Jesus or more ceremonious compositions were
created, showing the enthroned Christ receiving
the homage of the apostles.
Ivory carvers decorated book covers and reliquary
caskets or larger objects

24.  Families would have
chambers or cubicula
dug to bury their
members. Wealthy
Romans would also have
sarcophagi or marble
tombs carved for their
burial.
 Christian catacombs
were dug frequently
adjacent to nonChristian ones, and
sarcophagi with
Christian imagery were
apparently popular with
the richer Christians.