| |  Entry into Jerusalem. Artist: French
Miniaturist. Date: c. 1100.
Medium: Illumination on parchment.
Location: Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris
(larger image) History Much of the art surviving from Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire is Christian art. While the Western Roman Empire's political structure essentially collapsed after the fall of Rome, its religious hierarchy, what is today the modern-day Catholic Church funded and supported production of sacred art. The Orthodox Church of Constantinople, which enjoyed greater stability within the surviving Eastern Empire was key in funding arts there, and glorifying Christianity. As a stable Western European society emerged during the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church led the way in terms of art, using its resources to commission paintings and sculptures. Christian art is found in architecture principally in the form of churches, cathedrals, monasteries and tombs. |  The Baptism of Christ. Artist: Piero della
Francesca, c. 1440-1450, Oil on panel.
location: National Gallery.
source: 10.000 Meisterwerke der
Malerei : von der Antike bis zum
Beginn der Moderne.
Publisher: Berlin : The Yorck Project, 2002.
(larger image) The development of Christian art in the Byzantine empire continued the oriental and Hellenistic previously known trends. The controversy over the use of graven images, the interpretaion of the Second Commandment, and the crisis of Iconoclasm led to two main results: It led to a standardization of religious imagery within the Eastern Orthodoxy, and it led to a minimalist aesthetic in the Protestant Church. As a secular, non-sectarian, universal notion of art arose in 19th century Western Europe, ancient and Medieval Christian art began to be collected for art appreciation rather than worship, while contemporary Christian art was considered marginal to art history. Occasionally, Christianity was a theme for secular artists (Bouguereau , Manet) — but only rarely was a Christian artist included in the historical canon (Rouault) — so contemporary Christian art is not found in art museums. Nevertheless, churches and chapels continue to be built, and Christian art is commissioned to fill them. | | Occasionally, Christianity was a theme for secular artists (Bouguereau , Manet) — but only rarely was a Christian artist included in the historical canon (Rouault) — so contemporary Christian art is not found in art museums. Nevertheless, churches and chapels continue to be built, and Christian art is commissioned to fill them. | | Over the centuries, Christian art has had three primary purposes: Depicting the actual events of the Bible, depicting the events of the Christian life or communicating the message of Holy Scripture in a visual form. Today's Christian art leans more toward a combination of Biblical events and Scriptural truth. However a crucially important trend has begun to emerge within Christian Art, that of the professional Christian artist. In the past most Christian Art was either commissioned by a religious institution (i.e. Church, Denomination, etc) or created as an uncompensated artistic expression. Over the last three decades however, professional artists have turned toward devoting their talents solely to Christian art. The first to do this successfully was Ron DiCianni, who in 1992 created a painting called Spiritual Warfare which went on to become one of the best selling Limited Edition Prints of the decade. As DiCianni blazed the trail he influenced others to join him in what he described as a mission of "Reclaiming the Arts for Christ". As other artists began to join DiCianni and decided to make the transition to painting solely Christ centered art some standouts began to emerge. Artists like Thomas Blackshear, Michael Dudash, Morgan Weistling, Chris Hopkins and several others transitioned out of very successful secular Fine Art or Illustration careers to devote their talents to spreading the Gospel through Art. The traditional art world has responded positively to the transition of these artists and continues to award some of secular art's most prestigious awards to today's Christian Art and artists. |  Christ with the crown of thorns, 1623,
Oil on canvas, 106 cm x 136 cm,
Catharijneconvent, Utrecht
(larger image) With a stable of successful Christian Artists, companies began to launch divisions dedicated to Christian Art, something that had not previously been done. As those companies proved successful, more artists and art galleries began to open up to the flood of Christian Art in both Original and Print form. Currently Christian Art is a thriving industry which provides pieces of art that both decorate and glorify God visually. Traditionally reserved as the parlance of Churches, more and more Christians are bringing Christan art directly into their home and offices as a reminder of their faith and their love for Jesus Christ. |  Pieta - Michelangelo Buonarroti,
Saint Peter’s, Vatican, Rome
(larger image) Traditional Christian art mediums include architecture (cathedral, church), iconography (icon, painting, fresco, mosaic), sculpture (Byzantine ivory statues, Catholic plague columns), wood carving, manuscript miniature, stained glass, oil on canvas and limited edition reproductions. Symbolism A work of Christian art, whatever the medium, usually portrays a specific person or religious event. Each masterpiece usually presents symbolism native to that religious sect. There is no unifying or defining "Christian" symbol; for example, the Christian Cross does not look the same throughout Christian denominations, nor is the Bible the same work of literature for each sect. However, the following are general symbols that are replete throughout most Christian works: Themes Themes often seen in Christian art are: |  The Pietà (Mary Lamenting the Dead Christ) Artist: Baciccio. Date: c. 1667. Medium: Oil on canvas, 183 x 116 cm. Location: Galleria Nazionale d''Arte Antica, Rome
(larger image) | - Annunciation
- Adoration of the Magi
- Adoration of the shepherds
- Ascension of Jesus
- Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Art
- Angels in art
- Arrest of Jesus
- Baptism of Jesus
- Christ in Majesty
- Coronation of the Virgin
- Crucifix
- Descent from the Cross
- Holy family
| - The Last Supper
- The Last Judgment (painting)
- Madonna and Child
- Maestà
- Nativity of Jesus in art
- Noli me tangere
- Pietà
- The Raising of the Cross
- Resurrection appearances of Jesus
- Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus
- Stations of the Cross
- Tree of Jesse
| Notes - "The figure (..) is an allegory of Christ as the shepherd" Andre Grabard, "Christian iconography, a study of its origins", ISBN 0691018308
- Beth Williamson, Christian Art: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press (2004), page 110.
- Cynthia A. Freeland, But Is It Art?: An Introduction to Art Theory, Oxford University Press (2001), page 95
References - Grabar, André (1968). Christian iconography, a study of its origins. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691018308.
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