Sarcophagi in Early Christian Art - Christian Art History

The Christian Period From c. 200-313 AD

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> The Christian Period From c. 200-313 AD > Sarcophagi

1) Introduction To The Christian Period From c. 200-313 AD
2) Art of The Catacombs
3) Sarcophagi

Sarcophagi*

The earliest sculptures were also connected with the cult of the dead. Elaborately carved marble or stone sarcophagi, influenced by Roman traditions, were commissioned. Since these seldom bear inscriptions, it is difficult to establish a definite chronology. It seems that most of them date from the third century and that the best ones can be assigned to the late fourth century.

Regarding style and technique, the decoration of these sarcophagi closely resembled pagan work in relief, whereas their content and meaning were new. Scenes from the Old and New Testament were represented in superimposed registers or were separated by columns supporting architraves or arches. Some works are characterised by remarkable craftmanship, recalling the best of Roman relief works. Formal devices such as overlapping and deep undercutting were used to invoke a sense of spatial recession and depth. The elegance and lively rhythms that were created in works such as the Sarcophagus of a Child c. AD 400 in the Archaeological Museum,
Istanbul, clearly demonstrate their indebtedness to the naturalistic art of pagan antiquity.

Other works such as the Sarcophagus of the so-called Psamatia Christ, c. AD 400, Staatliche Museen, Berlin, were executed by lesser skilled craftsmen, who often aimed at reproducing the effects of painting. This resulted in very shallow, linear relief. Traditional forms
such as the Good Shepherd were used, but were infused with new meaning.

*Based on notes compiled by Karin M. Skawran for the University of South Africa.

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