TOPIC ESSAY QUESTION V

Essay 7a

QUESTION: Is Art in anyway, an intrinsic part of or a primary factor in religion or religious expression and if so, how did it specifically play a part in the development of Christianity?

 PART ONE:

SUMMARY: What I experienced in my attempt to answer this Topic Question was trying to find the relationship of art and religion, specifically in Christianity and incorporating all the information I found correctly.

REASON: The reason this question was asked was to see the relationship between art and religion and how art was effected the development of Christianity.

PURPOSE: The purpose this question was asked was to better understand the relationship between art and religion and how art evolved alongside Christianity from its beginnings to now. 

DIRECTION: I read a lot of information on how art and religion interact with one another and how Christianity used art, in worship and teachings.

IMPRESSION:  I had a basic idea of how of how religion and art interact, having read about it for the previous essay as well as the information given in your lectures. I still had to find additional information to answer the question as well as find more information on how art was used in Christianity.

PART TWO:

            Religion can be defined as “the human quest for coherence and meaning in the understanding of the world” (http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=514). Human emotions, experiences and philosophies are expressed through art (http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=514). Religion and art have contributed in rendering each other more attractive as well as strengthening each other (http://www.oldandsold.com/articles30/art-theory-9.shtml). Art can express the devotion in beautiful forms to kindle excitement and promote feelings of devotion (http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/Early-Christian-Art.html).

            “The spread of religion owes itself as much to the deeply mystical of art through which it was expressed, as much as [as its own]…powerful philosophy” (http://ezinearticles.com/?Art-and-Religion---The-Two-Foster-Brothers-at-War&id=1562522). In Christian art narratives are depicted stories that teach morals or key elements of its beliefs. It also consists of iconic images created to symbolize the main concepts of the religion (Art History, M. Stokstad M. W. Cothren, p.224). Early Christian art used images from other traditions, but changed their meaning (Art History, M. Stokstad M. W. Cothren, p.222). Depictions of stories from the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) were used in the earliest Christian art (Art History, M. Stokstad M. W. Cothren, p.230).

            Christian art began merging “Roman imagery with Greek motifs” (http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/religious-art.htm). Later on, Christian iconography became the standard. The purpose of religious art is to win converts, whether it is directly or not (http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/religious-art.htm). “By expounding the message of an ordered Universe under God, Christian art also contributed to the creation and preservation of social order”  (http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/religious-art.htm).

            By the fourth century Christianity grew, attracting converts from different social classes. (http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/early-christian-Art-after-constantine.html). Christian art was  enriched through the cultural interaction with the Greco-Roman world” (http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/early-christian-Art-after-constantine.html). “Pictures of Christ came into use slowly and gradually, as the conceptions concerning his personal appearance changed” (http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/Early-Christian-Art.html). The representation of Christ evolves from a shepherd to an enthroned ruler and later his crucifixion, as seen in the images below.

Source Link The Good Shepherd

Lunette over the entrance, Oratory of Galla Placidia.

Source Link Christ Enthroned, Flanked by Angels, St. Vitalis and Bishop Ecclesius

Church of San Vitalis, Ravenna.

Source Link Crucifixion

Church of the Dormition, Daphni, Greece.

            In the Byzantine world Christians would pray to Christ, Mary, and saints while looking at the depicted images (Art History, M. Stokstad M. W. Cothren, p.244). These icons were “accepted as aids to meditation and prayer, as intermediaries between worshipers and the holy personages they depicted” (Art History, M. Stokstad M. W. Cothren, p.245).

Source Link Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels

Icon. Monastery of St. Catherine, Mount Sinai, Egypt.

            During the Romanesque period the church portals would be carved with narrative scenes, which drew people’s attention to the compelling images (Art History, M. Stokstad M. W. Cothren, p.453). “Rather than embodying unchanging theological notions or awe-inspiring apocalyptic appearances, these figures [the image below] convey human frailties and torments in order to persuade viewers to follow the Church’s moral teachings” (Art History, M. Stokstad M. W. Cothren, p.476).

Source Link Reliefs on left wall of porch, Priory Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac

            “Religious art is any work whose theme supports the moral message of the religion it…illustrate[s]” (http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/religious-art.htm) Art is a visual and tangible tool which facilitates the understanding of religion. The deep emotions religion inspire through art is compelling and draws you in, whether or not you believe in that specific religion or not. Christian art was meant to assist in the worship of God and teach others its religious beliefs (the path to salvation or condemnation).