Religious Conviction

Historical context

Greek and Roman period before the birth of Christ was realistic art

Early Christians we’re more concerned with symbolic representation

Christians buried the dead in catacombs where they created frescoes on the walls and ceilings

Christian churches were plain on the outside but decorated on the inside

7.1 Early Christian Art

7.2 Byzantine Art

7.3 Islamic Faith and Art

7.4 Early Medieval Art

Realism was not the goal

Center of power moves to east with Constantinople as capital

Islamic design is abstract, complex, and geometric

Most early medieval art was portable

In 527, the Golden Age of Byzantium period began, with gorgeous churches with glass mosaics

Many Christian conflicts occurred, which influenced in art as well

Christians borrowed some symbols from Romas art:


  • Juno's peacock meant immortality
  • Phoenix meant resurrection
  • etc...

Christianity (art and religion) were officially sanctioned when Emperor Constantine made it the state religion

Earliest Christian art is found on frescoed walls of catacombs outside Rome

The acceptance of Christianity brought a new architectural changes

Large sculptures weren't made

Christians were persecuted during an early period, so they created the catacombs

First Golden Age of Byzantine begins with the reign of Emperor Justinian

Glass mosaics became the primary means of wall decoration and completely cover the interior of churches

Many churches were plain brick on the outside but contained beautiful mosaics inside

Byzantine artists also did sculptures and painting on wood.

Islamic architecture is outstanding for its splendor and creativity

Islam spread quickly in the seventh century across the Mediterranean and Near East

Islam created a civilization that rivals Christianity and had a far-ranging influence in medieval Europe

Moslem religion prohibited the use of human figures in religious art, so artists had to develop geometric and abstract designs - arabesque was the name used to describe those complex designs

Western architecture used arches, columns, and vaults. However, Islamic architecture used an unique style and decorated their buildings richly

Islam developed Arabic numerals and led the way in government, philosophy, medicine and science

Islamic heritage left a lasting impression on the European imagination

Manuscript illumination became an important art form and reached a high point in its develpoment

The early Middle Ages was a time of unrest as tribes moved through Europe

Geometric designs and animal motifs were favored as decorative elements

The Roman Empire collapsed being overrun by the Visigoths, Vandals and Huns

Most medieval tribes were Christian, but they also had pagan traditions

Manuscript illumination became an important art form

With the Roman Empire collapsing, some tribes had to flee. They had to take their arts to preserve their culture