With the advent of Christianity, a new religious based art came to the forefront. Hopefully, you have submitted your essays to the Reading and Response on Early Christian and Byzantine Art illustrating the shift from the Greco-Roman Period. Likewise, you have studied how Greek art sought to capture Idealism, how the Hellenistic period sought to capture Realism, and how Roman art sought to capture Individualism, so it time to share your views with the rest of the class!
Discussion prompt: Having read the material above, discuss and describe some of the differences in the art of Greece and Rome to the art of the Early Christian and Byzantine Period.
How did early Christian and Byzantine art differ in its focus and representation of figures from earlier art forms?
Consider:
- Did it it seek to capture ideal or real representations of the Holy Figures, or was there a more symbolic, or spiritual rather than material focus?
- What reasons can you cite for this change?
- Cite specific examples of art works to support your discussion.
- Lastly, give your evaluation of Byzantine/Christian art. Does it appeal to you? Can you appreciate it? How does it compare to the other arts from prior periods in terms of your emotional and intellectual “connection” to this art movement?
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