Apse

Each corpse was wrapped in a sheet before being placed in the tomb, which often contained two or more members of the same family. The name of the deceased was painted or sculpted on the brick or marble slab serving as its door, together with other information, usually the day and month of death. Small terracotta lamps and vases for perfume were often placed above the tomb, like the lights and flowers in cemeteries today. Rectangular burial niches in the Catacomb of St Priscilla, Rome The somber…

Vitale, Ravenna, Italy. Considered to be one of the most important surviving example of Byzantine architecture and mosaic work, it was created ca. 526-547 under Ostrogothic rule. Empress Theodora and her entourage are displayed in the south wall of the apse, right across from Justinian and his retinue. One of the key stylistic changes we noticed when viewing this mosaic, is that it is leaving the classical styles of naturalism behind. Here the images are very frontal, no longer do you see the…

not as appealing as others, but can still suggest strong will. His tunic is mixed with purple and gold, which may be interpreted as holy power but also as royalty with the color purple. Gold can also suggest a connection to the Roman emperor. In the apse, one of the disciples approaches Christ in supplication, as one would with royalty. This concept can be prevalent in Christian architecture that Christ is the Almighty and a very powerful figure in this type of…

To what extent was the development of Christian art and architecture influenced by the art and architecture of classical Rome? In Christian art and architecture there exists many parallels between it and that of classical Rome, this could be due to the fact that Christianity emerged during the Roman Empire. Christians, like the Romans, valued the use of art for personal and cultural expressions, along with their art forms such as fresco, relief sculptures, mosaics – as seen in many churches…

The Early Byzantine period launched the construction of magnificently designed churches aimed at evoking a heavenly presence into those who gathered to worship there. Chief among the numerous churches built was the church of Hagia Sophia (Fig. 1.1). While commissioned by Emperor Justinian I in 532, the principal architects were two academic figures: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus. Following within the footsteps of the Early Byzantine ambitions, the purpose of the church was to…

Creating art is, as some say, the indication of mystery in excellence or God; it is a diversion in which man lets off an overabundance of steam [stored energy]; otherwise it is the outflow of feelings by man’s psyche, and most of all; it is pleasure; however, considering everything, it is a method of social unity amongst mankind; consoling them in similar feelings and forever extending the shared common visual language of the world. Through new visual ideas introduced by artists, categories of…

interior of the church, you see a nave when entering. The nave is large central area or the main body of the church. The nave is where the people of the community usually gather and sit to worship Christ and have their sermon. This church also has an apse, which is a large chamber that faces the nave. This part of the churches architecture is where the altar can be found which is usually where the priest stands to deliver the sermon. In relation to the architecture of the exterior of the church,…

The piece that I am going to be talking about is the Athena and Erechtheus mosaic. These too we studied in the high classical period about 430bce - 406 BCE. Athena was selected to be the god of Athens after she won a match by planting an olive tree. Erechtheus was a god from the Iliad that gave up his daughter to win a war for Athens. In the background we see the acropolis with the temple of Athena Nike in the front then to the left of that we see the propylaia, the picture gallery, then behind…

famous cathedrals and churches. Romanesque architecture is known by its massive quality, thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, large towers, and regular, symmetrical plans, most notably round-headed arches, but also barrel vaults, apses, and acanthus-leaf decoration, but had also developed many very different characteristics. Romanesque compositions…

accurate representation of Martin Luther and the Reformation of the Catholic Church. The first scene of the movie opened upon the church with an archway at the end of the nave lined with Corinthian columns. Also at the end of the nave was an altar and apse, typically scene in many church layouts of the time period, not to mention the church had stained glass rose windows and statues of several saints with in the worship space. The opening music that played, while looking upon the church was sung…