The History of Christian Architecture - Article Example

Byzantium now New Rome, was later renamed Constantinople and is now called Istanbul. Early Christian and Byzantine art commenced subsequent to Jesus’ death in the 1st century and went up to the 4th century AD. Byzantine art for religious reasons was extremely conservative but maintained an incessant convention of Greek pragmatism and all over the period manuscript illumination reveals corresponding styles for iconic figures in miniatures (Lowden 1997). The appeal of these Middle Eastern decorative motifs dominated Byzantine art and was equally apparent in the developing decorative styles used in early Christian places of worship.

Monumental sculpture with facts and figures continued as a taboo in Byzantine art. But diminutive ivory relief, almost all in the iconic fashion were a forte, as was relief adornment on bowls and other metal items. Art produced in this era was reticent since Christianity was not an official religion but a sect; the Romans and the rest of Europe mistreated Christians so the artists masked their work with symbols and clues of Christian features. The disparity amidst Christian and Byzantine was Christian was totally about the world while Byzantine was more divine than the worldly approach.

This period of art was divided into three distinguished phases. The first was bigotry from the first to the third century. The second was when Constantine was making Christianity official in the 4th century. The last period is recognized as New Christian style starting in the 5th century. Most of the art from this period was mosaics, frescoes, and architecture.          The basic characteristics of Byzantine art were that it very enunciated full of colors and emotion but lacked depth.

It was more symbolic, detailed and immensely decorative. The figures were firm and inflexible with gold. The Church of San Vitale was completed from 350 to 500 AD. Its subject matter was the two figures of Christ one from his younger years and the other from his martyrdom. There are miniatures of apostles, animals, and birds woven into an arrangement of vines, branches, leaves, and grapes as well. It is a centrally planned church with a ground level, gallery, and clerestory. Its interior shows the Old Testament and New Testament symbols, patterns, and portraits.

Those are beautiful gold mosaics. A beardless Christ is in the center. He wears a halo and a purple robe of royalty. The Early Christian and Byzantine art period is the initiator of art found later in the Western world. Christianity subject matter is the prime source of art; we find religious art in all styles, in most of the paintings and in the structures of Christian churches. Early Christian Architecture was influenced a lot by Ancient Roman Architecture, which is exemplified by replication of arches.

In that time, they in fact transformed old Roman buildings into Churches. On the other hand, Byzantine Architecture was stimulated by Moorish Architecture because of the widespread of Islam during that time. It is differentiated by the addition of elements like the onion domes, pinnacles, tortes, and colorful mosaic murals. Byzantine architecture was partly oriental, partly classical, Greek and Roman (Pile 2009). Byzantine furniture was of two distinct types. The common people had very modest furniture.

The few items they had were lightly built and usually designed so that they could be easily folded leaving additional space in their congested spaces. Church and palace furniture, however, was built of solid, heavy timber, designed to last, and designed for space it was to occupy.