Referring to Early Christian and Byzantine art,
How did the art change with the influence of Christianity?
What type of styles and iconography (symbolism) did the Early Christians "borrow" from older religions?
Early Christian art underwent significant changes with the influence of Christianity. Prior to Christianity becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, the dominant artistic style was classical in nature with a focus on naturalistic depictions of the human form. However, with the rise of Christianity, new themes and symbolism emerged, leading to a distinct shift in artistic expression.
One notable change in early Christian art was the transition from pagan themes to Christian themes. Early Christian artists began representing religious figures and episodes from the Bible, which had not previously been common in Roman art. This shift was largely due to the increased emphasis on religious imagery within the Christian community.
In terms of style, early Christian art initially borrowed heavily from existing Roman and Hellenistic artistic traditions. Many early Christian works of art continued to adhere to classical principles, such as realism and idealized proportions. However, as Christianity spread, new artistic styles and techniques emerged, fusing elements of classical art with distinctive Christian themes.
Iconography, or the use of symbols to convey religious ideas, played a crucial role in early Christian art. Early Christians often borrowed symbols and motifs from older religions, adapting them to convey Christian teachings. For example, the chi-rho symbol (☧) was originally a monogram representing the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ (Χριστός). This symbol was derived from pre-Christian pagan usage but became a potent emblem for early Christians.
Other borrowed symbolic elements included the use of the Good Shepherd as a representation of Christ, which drew from both Jewish and Greco-Roman artistic traditions. The concept of the fish as a symbol for Christ was also influenced by pre-existing religions, specifically the use of the fish as a symbol in mystery cults.
In summary, the art of early Christians changed under the influence of Christianity by shifting focus from pagan themes to Christian themes, incorporating symbolic iconography, and borrowing artistic styles and motifs from older religions. This fusion ultimately gave rise to a unique artistic tradition within the Byzantine Empire, characterized by its blend of classical elements and Christian symbolism.