A temple (house) is a building that has a religious purpose; services to God are performed in it, as well as religious ceremonies are held. In addition to the main religious functions, the temple carries a certain idea of ​​​​people about the universe. Temples also had another purpose (before Christianity), they served as a refuge, or a place for resolving important issues and trade.
A Christian church is considered only a building that has an altar in which the Eucharist (thanksgiving) is celebrated - a great sacrament.

Christian churches have a long history. Since the time when Christianity was not one of the main religions, and was subject to persecution by the authorities and other religions. Christians gathered for service only in the catacombs (dungeons where burials were held), where, according to the laws of that time, gatherings of people who professed their religion were not prohibited.
Thus, underground churches, they are called “crypts,” already had an altar (most often a tomb) on which the sacrament of the Eucharist was performed. Since those times, the tradition of placing holy relics on the altar and decorating the walls of temples with images from the holy book has remained.
Only in the 4th century did the construction of above-ground Christian churches begin, when the religion was recognized as dominant (Edict of Milan 313). This happened thanks to Emperor Constantine.

The main types of temples are the basilica and the cross-domed temple.
Basilica- a structure that has a rectangular and elongated shape, divided from the inside by several rows (from 2) of pillars or columns that create naves (an architectural space of a longitudinal shape). Often the central nave was higher than the side ones. It also had a protrusion - an apse (the protruding part where the altar is located), where the presbytery (place for the clergy) was located.
A special feature of the basilica is also that the entrance is located on the western side of the temple, and the altar is on the eastern side. This placement symbolizes the coming of Christians to God (repentance). In Christianity, the west is associated with sinfulness, and the east with divinity. Near the part where the altar is located, the temple is intersected by transverse naves, which gave it the shape of a cross.
The most common are three-nave basilicas. They are created using two internal rows of columns; in the side naves there are often choirs (an oblong-shaped room for the clergy or church choir), as well as “matroneums” (special galleries for women, because it was adopted from the Jews, the separate presence of men and women in temple).
Often, in especially large temples, in front of the main room there were open courtyards with columns placed along the entire perimeter; they are called atriums.

Great importance was given to decorating the interior of the basilica. The temple was decorated mainly from the inside. For this they used marble, beautiful wall frescoes, and mosaics that were laid out both on the walls and on the floor. But special attention was paid to decorating the main and sacred part of the temple - the altar. The façade of the basilica was often not decorated.
This model of the temple remained unchanged for a long time.

Starting from the 12th-13th centuries, other types of temples appeared - the Gothic cathedral. They differed from the early Christian ones in that they were covered with stone vaults.

The Gothic temple began to rise high, thanks to the fact that new technologies and architectural elements were used in construction, among them a flying buttress. The weight of the vault was transferred to the walls, this relieved the temple from the internal columns and made it possible to create large windows, which made it spacious and bright.

The altar was also separated from the main volume of the temple by a partition. The restriction on the presence of men and women together in churches has disappeared.

Now not only the internal walls of the temple were decorated, but also its façade. Thus, they tried to convey the “word of God” beyond the walls of the temple.
After the division of the United Christian Church, the Eastern (Orthodox) Church developed the Cross-domed Byzantine type of temple.

Cross-dome

Its characteristic features are that the temple had a cruciform shape (close to a square) and a high dome that housed windows.

The naves (both longitudinal and transverse) are now of equal length, and when crossing they create a Greek (equal-ended) cross. Hence the name itself - Cross-dome. At the same time, rotundas (round temples) appeared.

Orthodox church

Starting from the 15-16th century, iconostases began to appear in Orthodox churches; they separated the altar part of the temple from its middle part. The iconostasis is a wall with rows of icons.
The narthex (a place for people who could not enter the middle of the temple) began to be called the narthex, and its outer part - the porch (a platform with stairs to enter the temple).
In order to be able to conduct simultaneous services by several priests (on major holidays and events), extensions to the temple were introduced.

Baptistery

A separate building, often round in shape, near the temple, it is intended for the baptismal ceremony. In its center there is a font that can fit an adult. Nowadays a baptistery is rarely built.

The beginning of the construction of temples After the Edict of Milan in 313, Christianity was officially recognized and soon became the state religion of the empire. The new status of the Church required the creation of large churches, adapted for the increasingly complex liturgy and accommodating many visitors. Already during the time of Emperor Constantine, the construction of churches began - the Lateran Basilica of San Giovanni and the Church of St. Peter in Rome, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the churches of St. Sophia and the St. Apostles in Constantinople.

Basilica The shape of the ancient temple was not suitable for the construction of a Christian church, due to deep religious contradictions. Unlike a pagan temple, which was considered the dwelling of a deity, a church is a house of prayer where many people gather. Basilica is an ancient name for public buildings. In Ancient Athens, this was the name given to the house of the basileus standing on the market square. The Romans transferred this name to large buildings located in the forums, where public meetings, trials and trade transactions took place. The basilica turned out to be convenient for Christians due to its spaciousness.

Structure of a Christian basilica An elongated rectangular building, divided longitudinally into three or five parts called naves or ships. The middle nave is wider and higher than the side ones. Its upper tier is cut through with windows for lighting. The naves were separated not by a blank wall, but by an arcade. The central nave ends with a semicircular projection - an apse, where the altar is located. The apse was oriented to the east, towards the Holy Sepulcher.

Unlike the basilicas in the Roman forums, no vaulted ceilings were used here. They are topped with a gable roof supported by wooden beams and rafters. Only the apse was covered with a vault (its vault was called a conch). The apse was small, so between it and the longitudinal naves a transverse nave (transept) was erected, equal in height to the central one. He gave the building the symbolic shape of a cross.

In front of the entrance to the basilica there was a courtyard surrounded by a wall with an open gallery (atrium). In the center there was a reservoir that provided water for holy cleansing (ablution before entering the temple). In the absence of a courtyard, the vestibule of the temple was a room (narthex), fenced off from the naves on the west, intended for penitents or catechumens. The external appearance of the room is deliberately modest. Inside is dazzling luxury.

Basilica of St. Peter in Rome According to legend, the Apostle Peter was executed during the time of Emperor Nero between the years 64 and 67. His grave became a place of pilgrimage. Peter, in the eyes of Christians, was the head of the Catholic Church thanks to the words of Christ: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Peter was considered the first Roman bishop, the founder of the throne, who later they began to call it papal.

Basilica of St. Peter Five-nave basilica. The apse was placed over the tomb of the apostle, which was believed to be located near the Circus of Nero on Vatican Hill. Above the altar there was a canopy, supported by 4 twisted columns, brought from Greece by order of Constantine. The length of the temple with the atrium is 220 meters, the height of the central nave is 25 meters. The walls were painted with frescoes, and mosaics sparkled on the triumphal arch and apse conch.

The centric buildings of this period are structures of a memorial nature, or martyria. They arise from a type of mausoleum common in Ancient Rome - a tomb. In addition, the Pantheon is taken as an example of a vault and a closed static space. Various planning solutions: round structures, octahedrons or hexagons, any polyhedrons inscribed in squares, an equal-pointed cross.
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>> Types of Christian churches: rotunda and basilica. Mosaic decor. Christian symbolism. Mausoleum of Constantius in Rome. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome

TYPES OF CHRISTIAN TEMPLES: ROTONDA AND BASILIA. MOSAIC DECOR. CHRISTIAN SYMBOLICS

Mausoleum of Constantius 14 in Rome. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia 15 in Ravenna. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome

The period in the history of art from the moment Emperor Constantine recognized the rights of the Christian religion in 313 until the formation of the Byzantine style under Justinian the Great in the 1st century. is called early Christian. In general, it represents European art, developing under the influence of Christianity.

Christianity– one of the three world religions along with Islam and Buddhism. Its basis is faith in Jesus Christ 16 - the God-man who came into the world with the goal of atonement for human sins by death on the cross. Having risen on the third day and ascended on the fortieth, he showed the possibility of resurrection and eternal life for every person who believes in him. The life and deeds of Jesus Christ are set out in the four canonical Gospels included in the biblical book of the New Testament.

The formation of a spiritual space based on the Christian faith and the establishment of religious ritual necessitated the need for religious buildings. In architecture, two types of churches (houses of God) have been established, dating back to the buildings of Ancient Rome - the rotunda and the basilica.

In the form of a rotunda with a clearly defined central axis, baptisteries for baptism or mausoleums for the burial of saints were built. The oldest are the Mausoleum of Constantius in Rome and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna. The round shape of the Copstaptia mausoleum in Rome (IV century) recalls the eternity of the Church of Christ. Its internal space is divided by columns into a bypass zone and a central one, topped with a dome. The mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna (5th century) has a special shape of a cross, symbolizing Jesus Christ. At the intersection of the arms of the cross, it is crowned by a square tower, hiding a domed completion inside (see color incl., Fig. 21). It was in the mausoleum of Galla Placidia that the transition from a round dome to rectangular walls was first made using four spherical triangles - sails.

A Christian basilica, for example Sapta Maria Maggiore in Rome (IV century), is likened to a ship that delivers Christian to the Kingdom of Heaven, and is intended for church worship and storage of relics. Santa Maria Maggiore, like any basilica, is an elongated rectangular building, divided from the inside by a colonnade into three parts. Thanks to the vaults - flat wooden floors with rafters resembling the keel of a ship, the passage began to be called a nave (Latin navis - ship), and the middle nave is always higher and wider than the side ones.

The basilica is illuminated through windows cut into the upper part of the walls above the colonnade of the central nave and on the side walls. The entrance is located on one of the short sides. It leads to the narthex, a room intended for people preparing for baptism. The opposite short wall ends with an apse - a semicircular projection with large windows. Its internal space, covered with a semi-dome and raised above the general floor level, is called the altar. The boundary between the central nave and the altar, where parishioners are not allowed, resembles the outline of a triumphal arch. In front of the facade there is a tower and a vast open courtyard surrounded by a colonnade reminiscent of a Roman atrium.

Extremely simple in form, devoid of any decoration on the outside, early Christian churches were richly decorated with mosaics inside. Moreover, the mosaic does not just cover the walls, but, as it were, replaces them. Since it consists of small pieces of smalt of different sizes, varying degrees of transparency and is laid out at different angles, the light is not reflected from the rough surface, but seems to be scattered, softening the edges and dissolving the planes in its transparent flow. The interior is perceived as a transformed world, as a symbol of the soul, which shines the more, the more inconspicuous its bodily shell is.

Depending on the type of temple, accents in the interior decor were placed differently. In central-domed buildings, such as the mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the walls are covered with marble slabs, and the arched ends, vaults, sails and domes are covered with mosaics.

In the center of the dome of the mausoleum, a golden cross glows as a symbol of the torment and victory of Christ over death and golden stars are scattered. As if from their circling on sails, the outline of which is indicated by blue-green serpentine on a wine-red background, a golden angel, calf, lion and eagle emerge - symbolic designations of the evangelists Matthew, Luke, Mark, John 17. The walls and vaults are lined with dark blue smalt, its background is dotted with golden shoots of acanthus, blue cornflowers, and white daisies. Like a phantom among this variety of colors, golden fallow deer appear drinking from a spring, snow-white figures of the apostles, the young Good Shepherd surrounded by white-fleeced sheep on an emerald green meadow (see color incl., Fig. 22). In the magical space of the mausoleum, the colors glow with an unearthly brilliance, and it is no coincidence that one of the ancient hexameters says about their radiance: “Either the light was born here, or it was caught here and now rules freely.”

In basilicas, decorative compositions were placed above the colonnade of the central nave and in the apse, promoting the movement of the viewer in a straight line. Moreover, the significance of the image increased as it approached the altar. In the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, above the arcade of the central nave, Old Testament scenes are located, in particular the story of the first appearance of God to man - the forefather Abraham.

Cross and symbols of the evangelists. Dome.

V century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Ravenna

Questions and tasks
1. What types of temples became widespread in the era of early Christianity?
2. What is common in the decor of early Christian churches of any type? What places especially stand out when decorating the interior with mosaics in central-domed churches and basilicas?
3. How were the images of ancient Roman mosaics interpreted in Christian art? To answer, use the illustrations from task No. 10 in the workbook.

Emokhonova L. G., World artistic culture: textbook for grade 10: secondary (complete) general education (basic level) - M.: Publishing Center "Academy", 2008.

Lesson plans for 10th grade art lessons download, textbooks and books for free, development of art lessons online

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Early Christian architecture includes most European structures that were built between 350 and 525 AD, although some historians believe that construction of early Christian churches began even earlier, in 100 AD. Among the decorative elements used by ancient Christians in the building designs of that period were frescoes, mosaics and sculptures. Early Christian Architecture is almost similar to Romanesque, but is distinguished by a more impressionistic representation of space. This list contains 25 incredible examples of this type of architecture.

Sant'Apollinare in Classe

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe is located in Italy and is one of the key landmarks of Ravenna, Italy, built in 538. Widely recognized as one of the most outstanding examples of the earliest Christian basilicas, this structure is noted for the simplicity and purity of its design. The unique basilica has a nave and only two aisles.

San Marco in Rome

The Basilica of San Marco is located in the capital of Italy and was built in 336. This small basilica in Rome was built for St. Mark the Evangelist, whose remains are located under its main altar. The sanctuary is in the ancient basilica format, and the interior has elements of early Christian architecture, with a wooden ceiling and mosaics.

Sant'Apollinare Nuovo

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is also in Ravenna and was built in 504. Established in the 5th century by the Ostrogoth king Theodore the Great, this basilica was dedicated to the Savior. The apse and atrium of this structure have undergone several reconstructions, but the mosaics of its side walls and 24 columns are well preserved to this day.

Santa Constanza

Santa Constanza is located in Rome and was built in 350. This 4th century church in Rome was built during the reign of Constantine I as a mausoleum for his daughter. The church has a circular shape and an ambulatory that surrounds the central dome. The original structure is decorated with stone patterns on its walls. This building is considered the main example of early Christian architecture.

Basilica Ulpia

The Basilica Ulpia is located in Rome and was built in the years 98-117. It is an old Roman civil structure and is one of the most important ancient basilicas in Rome. Unlike most Christian churches, Ulpia did not serve any religious functions, but was the administration of trade and justice during ancient times. It is distinguished by a large central nave, with four aisles on the sides, as well as rows of columns and semicircular apses.

Church of St. Mary of Zion

This temple was founded in Ethiopia in the 4th century. Considered the most important church in Ethiopia, the Shrine of St. Mary of Zion is said to house the Ark of the Covenant. The original structure was built during the reign of Ethiopia's first Christian emperor, Izan. Today the temple serves as a pilgrimage center for Ethiopian Christians.

Basilica of Aparana

The basilica is located in Armenia and was founded in 390. Located in the province of Aragatsotn, the Basilica of the Holy Cross is one of the earliest Armenian churches in Aparan. The original structure was destroyed but partially restored to its original form in 1877.

Al Jubail

Al-Jubail was founded in Saudi Arabia in the 4th century. This is an old Nestorian church that was only discovered in 1986. The Saudi government is hiding this building from tourists and even local residents in order to minimize damage and preserve such an important historical heritage as much as possible.

Rotunda of St. George

Built by the Romans in the 4th century, St. George's Rotunda in Sofia, Bulgaria - An early Christian red brick rotunda. It is the oldest building in the city. The rotunda is located in the center of the ancient city of Serdica, has a cylindrical domed structure with a square foundation and is famous for its frescoes from the 12th to 14th centuries.

Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio

Sant'Eustorgio is a 4th century basilica in Milan. It is a popular stopover for pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land and is the site of the tomb of the Three Wise Men. The basilica has an outstanding interior with a nave and two aisles with cross vaults. The restored basilica is built in the Romanesque style, but it was originally an early Christian building.

Basilica of San Nazaro

The full name of the structure is San Nazaro in Brolo, the structure was built in 382 in Milan. Known as the oldest Latin cross church in all of Europe, San Nazaro was originally built as a gift to the apostles. The plan of this church is a Greek cross, with apses on the arms. Below its altar are relics of the apostles, and the nave ceiling is made of wooden sections.

Saint-Pierre-au-Nonin

The Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonins was built in 380 in Metz, France. This structure was originally built as part of a Roman bath complex, but was later converted into a chapel. Known as the oldest church in France, it is now one of the most popular Benedictine monastery chapels in Europe.

San Simpliciano

The basilica of 374 in Milan, San Simpliciano is located in the heart of the city and is the second oldest basilica in Italy, built in the shape of a Latin cross. The facades have galleries, which are portals with windows and arches at the top. The bell tower is also decorated with characteristic mullioned windows.

San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo in Milan is a basilica dating back 364 years. The largest church with a rotunda for its time, the Basilica of San Lorenzo is one of the most important churches in the city. It is located near the Basilica Park on an artificial hill along Via Ticinese, surrounded by water canals and consists of a square hall with four apses.

Monastery of St. Anthony

The Monastery of Saint Anthony is located in the western desert of Egypt and was built in 356. The Coptic Orthodox monastery is located in an Egyptian oasis, hidden deep in the Red Sea Mountains. It is considered one of the oldest monasteries in the world. The monastery is also one of the most prominent in Egypt due to its structure, with private gardens, a mill and paintings of knights in bright colors.

Trier Cathedral

Trier Cathedral was built in 340 in the city of Trier, Germany. It is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Trier and is known for its rich history and longevity. The center of the cathedral's main chapel is made of Roman brick and has five symmetrical sections. It also has an apsidal half-cylinder on its outer façade.

Church of Peter and Paul, Serbia

The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was built in the 4th century in the city of Novi Pazar, Serbia. This is the Serbian Orthodox Church - the oldest church in Serbia. Founded during Roman rule, it is the most spiritual place of the Serbian Church. The structure has large columns and an octagonal tower hiding an internal dome.

Santa Maria in Trastevere

The Roman church of Santa Maria in Trastevere was built in 340. The Basilica is one of the oldest churches in all of Rome. In the architectural appearance of the building, 22 granite columns dedicated to the Corinthian and Ionian capitals immediately stand out. The interior of the basilica is filled with mosaics by Pietro Cavallini.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica is a legendary structure in the Vatican dating back to 333. Known as the largest church in the world,Saint Paul's Cathedral- the most popular Christian church today. This is one of the most important places of pilgrimage, especially among Catholics, one of the holiest Catholic places. The church is also considered the greatest structure of its age in terms of architecture.

Panagia Ekatontapuliani

Panagia Ekatontapouliani is located in Parikia, Greece. The structure was built in 326 and is also known as the Church of 100 Doors - a historical church on the island of Paros. The main chapel is surrounded by two other chapels, which have a total of one hundred doors - hence the name.

Basilica of Sant'Amborgio

The Basilica of Sant'Amborgio is located in Milan and dates back to 313. The oldest basilica in Milan, with a hut-shaped façade and loggias on several levels. The lowest loggia has three galleries, while the upper loggia used to be the place where bishops blessed citizens. The galleries are supported by pillars and semi-columns.

Church in Antioch

St. Peter's Church is located in Antioch, Türkiye. It was built between the 3rd and 4th centuries. Considered one of the oldest churches in the Christian world, with a cave carved into the mountainside of Mount Starius. The church has floor mosaics and frescoes on the right side of the altar. The stone altar is located in the very center, with a stone platform on top.

Echmiadzin Cathedral

Etchmiadzin Cathedral is located in the city of Vagharshapat in Armenia and was founded in the period from 301 to 303. The main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin is one of the oldest cathedrals in the world. The building was built after Armenia adopted Christianity during the third century. It has wooden doors and frescoes of scenes from the Old Testament, and a cruciform plan with a central dome, piers and four apses.

Megiddo Church

Megiddo is a church in Israel, built in 300 on the hill of the same name. It is one of the oldest churches in the Holy Land and is now an archaeological site. The structure was built during a period when Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire. Among the most noteworthy features of this church is its large mosaic, which contains a Greek inscription and several geometric figures and Christian symbols.

Dura-Europos

The Church of Dura-Europos was built in Syria between 233 and 256. It is known as the earliest identified Christian church in Syria. Dura Europos was converted into a temple after the Persian conquest. It is a house with a separate hall-like room and frescoes that serve as its baptistery. The interior is also filled with ancient Christian paintings. In continuation, read about the mostunusual churchesand cathedrals of the world.

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This material opens a series of lessons devoted to the study of Christian art in MHC lessons at 10 (profile level). When studying this topic, students must understand the features of the transition from the imagery of the art of Ancient Rome to the symbolism of medieval art / designed for 2 lessons/.

The lesson was prepared based on materials:

• Textbook “World artistic culture: textbook (+DVD application) for grade 10: secondary (complete) general education (basic level); author Emokhonova L.G. - M.: Publishing Center “Academy”, 2008-2010. Lesson 17.
• Books for teachers with lesson planning and scenarios for individual lessons. World artistic culture: 10th grade (basic level); authors Emokhonova L.G., Malakhova N.N. - M.: Publishing Center “Academy”, 2008. Lesson 17.

The purpose of the lesson: to awaken students’ deep, sincere interest in the study of artistic culture, both on an emotional and intellectual level.

• to form in students a holistic understanding of the connection between the appearance and interior space of churches and Christian ritual;
• give an idea of ​​the external and internal structure of a Christian temple and the symbolism of early Christian images;
• develop students' ability to analyze, compare and compare works of art.

Visual range: PowerPoint presentation

Lesson type: comprehension lesson with elements of conversation and reflection (using multimedia tools (projector, interactive whiteboard SMART Board)).

For students: workbook, writing materials.

During the classes

1. Organizational moment (frontal form, verbal method).

Teacher: Hello, guys. Glad to see you. Sit down.

2. Formulating the topic of the lesson (frontal form, verbal method, motivation method: creating a problem situation, visual and illustrative method)

Teacher: The topic of our lesson “Early Christian Art”.

During the lesson we will look at such concepts as “Christianity” and “early Christian art”, consider the architecture of this period and the emergence of Christian symbolism.

Open your notebooks and write down the topic of the lesson slide 1.

3. Mastering new material.

Introduction to the concepts of “Christianity” and “early Christian art” (frontal form, verbal method, visual and illustrative method).

Teacher: What is Christianity? Please define.

Students' answers follow (usually correct, but somewhat disjointed).

Teacher: Let's summarize slide 2.

Teacher: So, what period in the history of art is called “Early Christian art”? slide 3.

Students write down definitions.

Acquaintance with architectural structures of the early Christian period (frontal form, verbal method, visual and illustrative method, work with plans and diagrams).

Teacher: After the adoption of Christianity as the official religion in the Roman Empire, the need arose to build new religious buildings. The architects were faced with the task of creating a large space capable of accommodating a huge number of believers. There were sufficient temples on the territory of the Roman Empire, but the authorities did not use them. Why?

Students: Because they were pagan. Because they were dedicated to pagan gods.

Teacher: Correct. It was necessary either to create a completely new architectural form, or to use those structures that were present in the architecture of Ancient Rome, but were not related to religious buildings. The authorities chose the second option slide 4.

The first type of temple buildings is presented in the form of a rotunda slides 5-8.

In the form of a rotunda with a clearly marked central axis, baptisteries (baptisteries) for baptism or mausoleums for the burial of saints were built. In addition to the circle, baptisteries or mausoleums had a square or cross in plan slides 9-10. The oldest are the Mausoleum of Constantius in Rome and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna. The round shape of the Mausoleum of Constantius in Rome (IV century) recalls the eternity of the Church of Christ. Its internal space is divided by columns into a bypass zone and a central one, topped with a dome. The mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna (5th century) has a special shape of a cross symbolizing Jesus Christ. At the intersection of the arms of the cross, it is crowned by a square tower, hiding a domed completion inside.

The second type of temple was the ancient Roman basilica slides 11-14.

The forms of the ancient Roman basilica were slightly modified slides 15-16.

Teacher (working with the slides, gradually reveals parts of the diagram): In the eastern part of the temple, a semicircular apse appeared, in which the altar was located (in some churches, the burials of saints are located under the altar). The very shape of the altar apse – semicircular – resembles a cave. In Christianity, two caves are known: one is Bethlehem, where Christ was born in a cattle pen, the other is the Holy Sepulcher, where they placed the body of Christ taken from the cross and from where he arose, breaking the bonds of death.

Over time, a transverse nave - transept - appeared in the basilica slide 16.

Thanks to the transverse nave, the plan of the temple took on the shape of a cross.

Students sketch diagrams and plans slides 15-16.

Acquaintance with the principles of decorative and pictorial design of the first Christian buildings (frontal form, verbal method, visual and illustrative method).

Teacher: The originality of Christian churches lay in the sharp contrast between their external appearance and interior decoration. Extremely simple in form, devoid of any decoration on the outside, early Christian churches were richly decorated with mosaics inside. Why do you think? slides 17-19.

Students give their answer options.

Teacher (gives answer): Christian priests compared the church with a believer and believed that, like a humble Christian with his rich spiritual life, the temple should be emphatically austere on the outside, but richly decorated on the inside slide 20. The art of “shimmering painting” (as mosaic was called) became the main type of fine art in the design of temple interiors. Moreover, the mosaic does not just cover the walls, but, as it were, replaces them. Since it consists of small pieces of smalt of different sizes, varying degrees of transparency and is laid out at different angles, the light is not reflected from the rough surface, but seems to be scattered, softening the edges and dissolving the planes in its transparent flow. The interior is perceived as a transformed world, as a symbol of the soul, which shines the more, the more inconspicuous its bodily shell slides 21-25.

Depending on the type of temple, accents in the interior decor were placed differently. In central domed structures, such as the mausoleums of Galla Placidia, the walls are covered with marble slabs, and the arched ends, vaults, sails and domes are covered with mosaics. The walls and vaults are lined with dark blue smalt, its background is dotted with golden shoots of acanthus, blue cornflowers, and white daisies. In the magical space of the mausoleum, the colors glow with an unearthly brilliance, and it is no coincidence that one of the ancient hexameters says about their radiance: “Either the light was born here, or it was caught here and now rules freely.” slides 21-26.

In basilicas, decorative compositions were placed above the colonnade of the central nave and in the apse, promoting the movement of the viewer in a straight line. Moreover, the significance of the image increased as it approached the altar. In the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, above the arcade of the central nave there are Old Testament scenes, in particular the story of the first appearance of God to man - the forefather Abraham slide 27.

The book of Genesis talks about the appearance of three youths to childless Abraham and Sarah, who lived in the oak grove of Mamre. According to the law of hospitality, Abraham took butter and milk, the best calf from the herd, ordered Sarah to make unleavened bread and treated those who came. After the meal, one of the travelers said: “I will be with you again at the same time, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah, being in the tent, grinned to herself, since she was old in years. But the traveler, not seeing her, ordered not to laugh, for nothing is difficult for God. Then Abraham and Sarah realized that they were hosting God.

The characters are located on two levels. At the top, as if in the background, Abraham is depicted walking towards the three youths. Downstairs, Abraham instructs his wife to bake unleavened bread, and then presents a dish with a calf to the guests sitting at the meal.

Despite the already established Christian canon of depicting the same person side by side, staying in different places at different times according to the plot, the composition still retains ancient dynamism. The movement of Abraham, rushing towards the guests, is emphasized not only by his pose, but also by the direction of his right hand, the oak branches bending towards the newcomers, and the running clouds. The interpretation of space preserves the illusion of ancient perspective. It is felt due to the gradual transition from the brown-olive tones of the foreground to the golden-green of the middle and transparent blue with orange flashes of the background clouds. The figures, according to the ancient tradition, are detailed in shadow, the faces are expressive and emotional, and the general tone of the story is free from the constraint of the canon.

Introduction to early Christian symbolism in images (frontal form, verbal method, visual and illustrative method).

The main feature and main charm of early Christian art was its close connection with the ancient world and with ancient images, but as if passed through the pure and joyful faith of the “soul by Christian nature.” The connection with the not yet forgotten pagan world was evidenced not only by the perspective, the play of thick and deep tones of blue, amethyst, green and wine-red colors of the ancient Roman palette, but also by artistic images. Using pagan motifs even in the catacombs - underground Christian cemeteries, Christians gave them a new meaning slides 28-29.

During the period of persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, it was in the Roman catacombs that the first Christian symbolic images appeared. During this period, the symbols had the character of secret writing, allowing fellow believers to recognize each other slide 30.

Characteristics of individual characters:

• Cross slides 31-32. In the center of the dome of the mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a golden cross glows as a symbol of the torment and victory of Christ over death and golden stars are scattered.
• Life-giving cross slides 33-35. The image of the world tree of life received a new interpretation in early Christian art as the life-giving cross on which Jesus was crucified, and also as the image of Jesus Christ himself. From now on, the image became a symbol of both the world tree and the Savior of the world.
• Ichthys slides 36-40. The image of swimming fish and doves drinking water from a bowl, popular in ancient Roman art, also received a Christian interpretation. The Greek word “ichthys” (fish) was spelled out to form the phrase “Jesus Christ, teu yuyos, soter,” which means “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” This explains why the fish was a symbol of Jesus, and why he himself was called the “heavenly fish.” In the New Testament, the symbolism of fish is associated with preaching: Christ calls the former fishermen, and after the apostles, “fishers of men”; (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17), and the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to “a net thrown into the sea and catching fish of all kinds”; (Matthew 13:47). In the first centuries of Christianity, people wore glass, mother-of-pearl or stone fish around their necks - future pectoral crosses. The Eucharistic significance of fish is associated with the representative gospel meals: the feeding of the people in the desert with loaves and fishes (Mark 6:34-44; Mark 8:1-9), the meal of Christ and the apostles on Lake Tiberias after the Resurrection (John 21:9-22). The symbolism of the fish turns out to be connected with the sacrament of Baptism. As Tertullian says: “We are little fish, led by our ikhthus, we are born in water and can only be saved by being in water.” Obviously, the symbol of the Fish was a sign by which early Christians found and recognized each other, especially during times of persecution. Scratched on a wall, on the floor of a market square or near a fountain, in crowded places, it allowed wandering Christians to find out where their brothers in the faith were gathering.
• Chrism slides 41-43. Christianity became widespread in epigraphy, on the reliefs of sarcophagi, in mosaics and probably dates back to apostolic times. Historically, the most famous use of chrismon is for the labarum (lat. Labarum), an ancient Roman military standard (vexillum) of a special type. Emperor Constantine the Great introduced it into his troops after he saw the sign of the Cross in the sky on the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312). The labarum had a chrism at the end of the shaft, and on the panel itself there was an inscription: lat. “Hoc vince” (glor. “Win ​​by this”, lit. “Win ​​by this”).
• Alpha and Omega slides 42-44.
• Good Shepherd slides 45-49. Christ appeared in the form of a shepherd, a beardless youth with a sheep at his feet or on his shoulders. Christians saw in this a hint of one of the primary missions of Christ as the shepherd of human souls, depicted in the form of sheep.
• Oranta slides 50-52.
• Lamb slides 53-54. The Lamb can be depicted on a rock or stone, from the foot of which flow streams from four sources (symbols of the Four Gospels), towards which other lambs rush - the apostles or, more broadly, Christians in general.
• Angel, Taurus, Leo and Eagle slides 55-59. As if from their circling on sails, the outline of which is indicated by a blue-green serpentine on a wine-red background, a golden angel, a calf, a lion and an eagle emerge - symbolic designations of the evangelists Matthew, Luke, Mark, John.
• Dolphin and anchor slides 60-61.
• Ship slide 62
• Vine slides 63-64. In the Mausoleum of Constantius in Rome, the mosaic walls and ceilings are entwined with garlands of vines on which birds of different feathers perch. Lovely girls and boys peek out from behind the vines, and plump children are scurrying around, picking grapes and pressing wine from them. For initiates, branched vines with carved leaves and many clusters had eucharistic meaning. The children symbolized the angels gathering the fruits of the Christian faith.
• Pigeon slides 65-66.
• Phoenix, peacock, rooster, turtle slides 67-71.

Over the course of centuries, all early Christian symbolism developed into a strictly established system of images - iconography, received complete expression in Byzantine art slide 72.