AP Art History

AP Art History

Chapter 7
Early Christian, Jewish, and Byzantine Art

Study Guide



Historical Evidence

  • Discuss the historical development that occurred from the Early Christian period to the Late Byzantine period.

    Interpretation and Meaning

  • What was the original function of the catacombs?
  • What are the earliest depictions of Christ in art?
  • Explain the meaning of the Middle Byzantine depiction of Christ Pantokrator and the Crucifixtion mosaics from Daphni, Greece?

    Style

  • Early Christian art retained strong links to the classical tradition, while transforming classical subject matter to a new Christian context. Analyse a fresco, mosaic and scultured relief from Early Christian art that illustrates this classical influence.
  • Discuss the mosaics of Justinian and Theodora from St. Vitale, Ravenna. How is this style different from ancient Greek and Roman art? How has the artist emphasized the emperor as the most important figure? How is the use of space handled differently in the Theodora panel?
  • Explain how Late Byzantine art differs from Early Byzantine art in terms of style.

    Methods and Techniques

  • Explain the different parts of the Early Christian and Byzantine manuscript and how it was assembled. Include pertinent vocabulary in your answer.
  • What is the difference between a pendentive and a squinch

    Diagrams

  • Provide the appropriate terms for each type of church plan.
      Basilican plan church


      Central plan church


    Compare and Discuss

  • Compare the Early Christian church of Santa Maria Maggiore to the Byzntine church of San Vitale, Ravenna in terms of plan, architectural features and decoration.
  • Compare and contrast the plan and design of the domed church of Hagia Sophia to the Roman Pantheon.
  • Explre the different portrayals of Christ in Early Christian and Byzantine mosaics starting with the Good Shephard lunette mosaic from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, then the Transfiguration of Christ mosaic from the Monastery of Saint Catherine to finally the Christ Pantokrator mosaic from Daphni, Greece.
    Vocabulary
    Terms Terms/Key Personalities
    ambulatory
    baptistry
    basilica
    catacomb
    cloisonne
    cruciform
    deisis
    house church
    icon
    lunette
    manuscript    		 orant pose
    pantokrator
    reverse perspective
    sarcophagus
    scriptorium
    tesserae
    Key Personalities
    Constantine the Great
    Justinian the Great
    Theodora
    Bishop Ecclesius
    Leo III