Classical Themes in Christian Art and Architecture
Classical themes continue to be integrated into Christian art and architecture in many ways as highlighted by Stokstad and Cothren (2018). The book explains how the classical heritage has been sustained in the Byzantine art. It is believed that Christianity did not begin during the times of Jesus Christ but instead, the art is what is used in explaining the experiences of Christ on earth. The early arts were discovered in Rome, at the Catacombs (underground pathways that Christians used in preserving their dead).
Art and Architecture of Early Christians
Stokstad and Cothren (2018) assert that the art and architecture of early Christians came from Classical art and the symbols found in them were derived from several Biblical sources. This led to the transit of these artistic conventions from its classical nature to a more abstract exemplification of humans and their representation with a sacred being (Stokstad and Cothren, 2018). An excellent example of the early representation of Christian art using the classical themes is the sarcophagus, which is a figure found in the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua, Rome.
Representation of Jesus and the Classical Themes
The symbol is in a prayerful position as it holds its hands in supplication. There is also a man reading a scroll and is dressed in a robe. On the right side of the image, an older man is seen with his right hand on a boy's head (Stokstad and Cothren, 2018). All these are believed to represent Jesus and their slightly larger heads and somehow limping nature signal that there is a slight move from the original classical art. Nonetheless, there is one figure that strikingly represents the classical theme and this is a man lying in front of the Leviathan (Stokstad and Cothren, 2018). The man is Jonah and this is after he had been vomited by the whale. The whole picture has been presented in a classical manner to signify Jonah's pre-Christian nature because he converted into a Christian after repenting his sins.
Use of Mosaics for Decorations
The other classical theme that extended to the Byzantine world is the use of mosaics for decorations. The mosaics were created using black and white pebbles that were initially placed in a grout and this art spread all over Rome, Egypt, and England (Stokstad and Cothren, 2018). These pebbles were placed on the Grecian floors, but eventually, they were turned to wall decorations in churches. The Byzantine Empire draped their church walls with the mosaic and Constantine used this stance to show his political support for the Christian religion by removing all taxes that had been imposed on mosaic artists (Stokstad and Cothren, 2018). These artists were likened to writers of Gospel books because art was an excellent way of spreading and embracing the Christian religion. These arts and decorations are still found to date in Christianity where walls are decorated with mosaics for instance, in the Catholic Church, the death and crucifixion of Jesus are represented on the walls (Stokstad and Cothren, 2018).
Incorporation of Classical Tradition into Christian Architecture
In conclusion, the classical tradition continues to be incorporated into the Christian architecture in the churches today. Much of what is practiced in Christianity is traced back to the religious activities of the Byzantine Empire. There is significant continuity of the classical themes and Christians rely deeply on early art of the Third Century CE. The reason is that during this time, many Christians embraced Judaism and perceived the Old Testament as a history of the New Testament.
Reference
Stokstad, M., & Cothren, M. W. (2018). Art History (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.
