Next, we turn our attention to Early Christian Art dating back to around 300 AD. Very few examples survived but some of the most significant icons are in the catacombs of Priscilla, outside the walls of Rome. Priscilla was the owner of much wealth and she opened part of her family’s Villa, namely the catacombs for the early Christians to use. These catacombs were in use from the 2nd century to the late 5th century AD. The catacombs of Priscilla consists of 3 levels and add up to about 13 km of tunnels, some sources suggest that there was almost 40 000 graves by the late 5th century AD when catacombs seized to be used as burial place. By that time the catacombs were mostly visited by pilgrims come to see the martyrs tombs. Many catacombs with holy relics had a basilica build on top of the catacombs for religious congregations to visit the relics during the late 5th century AD.
(Images: Wikipedia, Reuters and the official site of the Catacomb of Priscilla)
The catacombs of Priscilla’s upper level is very irregular in the layout since it was initially part of a marble quarry and was only later converted to catacombs, while the two lower levels is structured into a fish-bone-like symmetry. Galleries containing loculi (individual niches just large enough for a body) stacked on top of each other to form a pilae, as well as larger rooms of wealthy families with sarcophagi – cubicles – can be found throughout the tunnels. The loculus (individual tomb niche) was sealed up with a terracotta tile. Using frescoes and marble engraved epigraphs individual loculi were distinguishable.
The imagery of Early Christian art roots are based on the cultural heritage of the newly converted Christians, thus Roman Art, including common poses, compositions and mediums used. Mediums such as frescoes, mosaics and relief sculpture with naturalistic approach to the human figure and a clear understanding of the natural world surrounding them. Frescoes are murals painted into wet plaster or in this case lime. Beautiful examples of frescoes in the catacombs of Priscilla suggest that symbols later found in Christian art were already developed much earlier that previous believed. These symbols include the Good Sheppard, the dove, the fish and peacock. Illustrations of Biblical stories narrate hope for the early Christians while staying in check with local customs. These illustrations were done so subtly in order to avoid prosecution – only other Christians would recognize the story by understanding the acronyms. Especially popular was the acronym: IXΘYS (Fish) the Greek for Jesus Christ son of God and Savior.
The frescoes at the catacombs of Priscilla were done in the style of Pompeii. Cubicles were painted to give the illusion of architectural space and details. Artists used red and green to define this space into different parts, thus separating the image plane into distinct parts in which to tell the story, almost like a storyboard.
Continues development of Christian art eventually lead the artist to focus increasingly on the spiritual rather than the physical nature of life during the Byzantine period – to follow next time!
