Monthly Archives: November 2015
Christ as the Good Shepherd
425 AD Mosaic Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna Soon after the start of Christianity as the official religion of Rome. Christ’s appearance in art showed up everywhere. Christ is in the middle of the painting bringing your eyes toward Him. … Continue reading
Coins with Portraits of Constantine
Date Created: 307 AD Artist: unknown location: Rome This coin is important, because it shows the sophistication of the culture; they had money that needed identification, not just a tradable value. The depiction of the ruler is interesting, because the … Continue reading
Detailed Vault of mosaic in the ambulatory of Santa Costanza
This piece of art is made out of mosaic. It is in the ambulatroy of Santa Costanza in Rome. This beautiful scene was made during the time 337-351. The Santa Costanza had an interior that was covered with mosaics. The … Continue reading
Christ Enthroned
Title: Christ Enthroned Date: ca. 350- 375 Material: Marble Location: Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome This sculptor shows Christ as a young child. He is sitting on a throne looking into the distance. He is all white and is wearing a … Continue reading
Vienna Genesis
This image is a page from the first well-preserved illuminated Bible, the Vienna Genesis, depicting the story of Genesis 24. This single page—just one small part of the complete Bible—would have been incredibly expensive and time-consuming to create. The vellum base was … Continue reading
The Parting of Lot and Abraham
Mosaic in the Nave of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy. 432-440 The story told through this mosaic is one of the Old Testament. It represents the story of when Lot and Abraham part to go their separate ways. There are … Continue reading
Christ as the Good Shepherd
A very clean representation of Christ and his sheep. No earlier version of the Good Shepherd is as regal as this mosaic. Some takeaways are found (1) when looking at Christ’s location among the flock, not carrying a lamb on … Continue reading
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
This sarcophagus belonged to Junius Bassus, a city prefect of Rome who became a Christian and was baptized before his death in 359. This is indicated by the scenes on his sarcophagus, as they are all scenes from the Old … Continue reading
Suicide of Judas and the Crucifiction of Christ
This ivory carving was made ca. 420 AD. It now rests in the British museum in London. From left to right, the carving depicts Judas hanging from a tree. It then has a man and a woman staring at Jesus … Continue reading
Christ as Ruler of the Universe, the Virgin and Child, and Saints (c. 900 AD)
This image shows the apse in the Cathedral of Monreale, in Sicily. It was decorated shortly before 1190, by Byzantine craftsman. Christ is the central figure in this piece, represented as the Ruler of the Universe. His right hand is … Continue reading
History of Western Art & Music 