Christian art is a type of religious art guided by the principles and dogmas that frame the doctrine of Christianity. It is expressed through diverse areas such as architecture, painting, and sculpture, which have evolved over time without losing their essential religious character.
christian art
Christian art is a type of art with a mystical bent, where the works created are used as a way to pay tribute and are guided by the dogmas and premises of Christianity. If you'd like to learn about other similar cultural topics, you can read about Vikings in Spain.
One of the main objectives pursued by Christian art is to recreate, through illustrations, some passages, experiences or Christian messages addressed to the faithful believers of said religious current. Through Christian art, a religious message can be represented, which is expressed through painting, architecture, sculpture, among other means.
From the 4th century onwards, Christianity became the dominant religion of Western civilization. Its greatest period of growth occurred during the Middle Ages and the Modern Era, gaining significant prominence in Europe before spreading geographically.
In part, this meant that the main artistic currents that began to emerge during the Contemporary Age were strongly marked and influenced by Christian art, whose essence is linked to fulfilling religious worship.
The architecture of buildings, paintings and pictures, sculptures or other holy objects, are sanctified, ceasing to be only works of art. The monasteries, temples and sanctuaries were considered as true relics, specifically during the ancient times of Christianity until the Middle Ages, where honors were paid to martyrs and saints.
Images inspired by the life of Jesus Christ gained a reputation for being miraculous, motivating faithful believers and devotees of this religion to make pilgrimages. However, this type of art was a source of disagreement even among religious promoters, causing an internal division between those who supported the devotions these works inspired and those who opposed the idolatry and superstitions derived from these practices.
Christian groups have come to use art in some way to express their cults and devotions, having a very particular opinion regarding the meaning that each one gives it, creating a difference in criteria between Protestants and Catholics. religious.
Religious music and architecture are more generic forms of Christian art, through which any message that one seeks to disseminate in society can be expressed. As for religious sculpture and drawings, considered a more representative art form, the most recurrent themes are the life cycle of Jesus Christ, as well as various passages from the Old Testament.
In the traditional Catholic churches, one can see an abundance of sculptures and representations of Christian art, as well as a hodgepodge of various representations, both in the small surrounding chapels and on the high altar.
It is quite evident in the architecture of the baptismal font, large stained glass windows, among others. Various types of architectural elements serve as the basis for the sculptures, being duly differentiated according to the date of the corresponding historical period.
The ornamentation of Orthodox churches includes the use of religious metalwork, mosaics, and vestments, making their spaces more imposing. In contrast, Evangelical altars display a simplicity adopted from the new Catholic church buildings since the Second Vatican Council.
The symbols that are exhibited through Christian art contain very distinctive signs that make direct reference to the elements of Christianity, using some medium, events, scriptures or concepts, which they represent in a specific way.
The Cross of Christ and other images of Jesus are generally the literary reference most used in Christian art, although mixed with common concepts of life including love, eternal life, the salvation of man and his soul, etc.
Regarding pictorial representations, Christian art is distinguished by highlighting the details of the images making them easy to identify. Part of it is the facial and distinctive features of each person, that is, if he wears a beard, his hair.
There is also his clothing, the colors, his gestures, elements of his environment that represent him, for example, the position of his hands, his robes, the use of some liturgical object, etc; expressive elements with which Christian art has been given to differentiate from others.
History
The history of Christian art is closely intertwined with the history of the Christian era . Evidence of this lies in the discovery of Christian iconography dating back to around 70 AD, contributions that form part of the archaeological record supporting the historical emergence of Christianity and also describing its evolutionary process.
The sarcophagi are cataloged as a type of Christian sculpture, with records from the beginning of the XNUMXrd century. Between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, architecture began to develop, an example of which is the facades of the churches that came to replace the first temples.
During Constantine's reign , the empire had already adopted the religious doctrine of Christianity, and with the growth of faithful followers and devotees, the need arose to inhabit buildings with a public character and greater capacity, in order to be able to celebrate the cults.
The need then arose to build new Christian churches, but not adopting the characteristics of the pagan temples that already existed, but rather the models of public halls for holding meetings, that is, basilicas, to fulfill the requirement of a larger space where the faithful, devout believers of the Christian religion, could come together and pray.
In those years, the basilicas fulfilled a civil function, but due to the need that arose, their role changed, becoming the place for the celebration of Christian assemblies, and the basilica floor plan officially became the structure that they would take over the construction of the new churches.
Parallel to this, other structures were added to the religious activities, but their distribution style was different from the basilicas, having a centralized plant called "baptisteries", as well as another area where the mausoleums or graves were located.
These spaces were used to celebrate baptism in times of secrecy and divided from the customs of the church. In the presentation of mosaics and murals, the Christian art of painting could be seen expressed.
Mosaic floor mosaics were used as decorations in churches, their main themes being events and passages from Christianity, which were employed as symbols and emblems. Mosaic carpets were placed in the gallery areas of basilicas that were later converted into churches, and the themes illustrated by these mosaics were based on the dogma of the faith of Jesus Christ.
As of the date of these illustrations they date from the XNUMXth century, although they later ceased to be made considering that the images contained a sacred aspect that could be disrespected by having to step on them. Another expression of Christian art was "miniatures", emblems that were used as a tool within manuscripts, with the intention that people better understand the texts, mainly the illiterate.
The parchment codex began to replace the papyrus scroll between the 2nd and 4th centuries, as it could be sewn and bound, allowing for the creation and preservation of miniature paintings. Two well-preserved manuscripts of Virgil , dating from the 4th century, are housed in the Vatican Apostolic Library.
Other religious manuscripts in the same condition date from after the 6th century. A copy of the religious book of Genesis is in the National Library of Vienna . Fragments of an ancient Greek Bible, dating from the 6th century, are all that remain in the British Museum after being damaged in a fire in 1731 in the library of Sir Robert Cotton, where it was originally housed.
Other surviving manuscripts written in Syriac are located in Florence and Paris, in the Laurentian Library and the National Library respectively. During the Roman Empire, the inhabitants wore clothing adorned with religious images of an evangelical bent, made of polychrome wool and silk, considered a luxurious fabric used not only for clothing but also for decorating buildings.
Despite the fact that the clergy of those times opposed this type of use, clothes with fabrics of religious scenes are still preserved in the costumes of the priests and also in the upholstery of important museums around the world.
Features
During the Roman Empire, Christian art became known as Early Christian art , originating from the need of followers of this religious doctrine to gather in assemblies and hold their religious services. Another interesting topic is that of Everything is Mind.
The basilicas began to be used as new centers for the convergence of Christians and the Eucharistic banquet, elements were incorporated that little by little were adapted as part of the liturgical celebrations, using a portable altar that became fixed in the XNUMXth century.
For many years, it was believed that Roman art had declined, giving way to Early Christian art, especially within the world of visual arts. Over time, this point was clarified, establishing that Christian or Early Christian art originated from a combination of the prevailing trends of the 4th century, drawn from Alexandria and Antioch , two of the great Hellenistic cities, as well as from the eastern region.
The sum of everything, resulted in the genre that became known as "classical realism", which was softened by the Asians, managing to create a very marked and distinctive style in terms of clarity and sobriety of the lines, as well as an outstanding beauty in the forms.
But all this would only be a prelude to the birth of an exuberant artistic movement, which developed in some countries among which we can name Egypt, Asia Minor, Syria and Western Europe , between the 4th and 6th centuries.
However, depending on their places of origin and the times they go through, the combination of elements results in different products; that is, the early Christian art of Egypt is very different from that of Syria, but they are accepted within the framework of cultural diversity.
The ancient Roman basilicas were replaced at first very slowly, then with a little more speed, incorporating structures with circular and cross-shaped plans. Another action that stands out within the new movement is that an attempt was made to cover the buildings with turrets.
There remains a trend of post-and-lintel architecture for buildings in the West, while in the East, the vault form is progressively adopted, especially during the Age of Colossalism.
The characteristic "horror of emptiness" content in oriental art, explains the ornament of the basilicas contrasting with the clarity of the spaces of the Hellenistic trend. Exuberant vegetation, animals, birds and inserts, flower arrangements, among others, are part of this decorative richness that is revealed through Christian art.
Paleochristian
The type of art created by the early followers of Christ, dating from the 2nd to the 4th or 5th centuries AD, is known as Early Christian or Christian art. Christianity, like Judaism, is considered one of the world's major monotheistic religions.
A monotheistic religion means that its devout followers believe in the existence of only one God . This is one of the reasons why, with its emergence, previously existing artistic expressions underwent a radical change.
Christian art arose from the need to propagate and teach, in a simple yet direct way, the content, principles, divine attributes, and other dogmas of the Christian religion, including to illiterate people. Among these principles and values are, primarily, the greatness of God , but also His goodness and mercy.
art of the middle ages
It was also called medieval art, and this was one of the categories assigned within art to one of its most important and widespread periods. The time it encompassed was from the 5th to the 15th centuries, with Africa, Europe, and the Middle East being particularly prominent regions.
The Christian art that developed during the Middle Ages, had qualifications or an aesthetic evaluation, carried out according to some criteria that were becoming more and more changing. This phase of art was dubbed the "dark ages" by some critics, while others called it the "ages of renaissances."
In the same way, during the times of the Middle Ages, different artistic movements arose, with different geographical expansions, that is, there were varied groups showing different styles, ranging from a marked international influence, to national, regional and international arts. local.
These multiple styles bring a great diversity to the works of art that were part of various types of genres. These new trends served as a platform for artists who remained anonymous for a long time due to the fact that their work technique was very traditional, which changed in the fifteenth century, where they began to have a more intellectual formation, coming to be considered as cultivators of the beautiful Arts.
A unique artistic synthesis emerged in late antiquity, stemming from the integration of a classical art style inherited from the Roman Empire, blended with other elements. These included the vibrant cultures of the peoples who arrived during the period of invasions, migrating from Northern and Eastern Europe .
Similarly, the traditions of the Germanic, Slavic, and Arab peoples , among others, were incorporated, along with the contributions of early Christianity. It is the interaction between all the elements stemming from these important cultural sources that provides a conceptual foundation for the history of medieval art.
The specialists classified it by periods and movements, describing the following: Early Christian art; Pre-Romanesque; Romanesque; Gothic (Western Europe/Latin Christendom); Byzantine (Byzantine Empire / Eastern Christianity) and Islamic Art (in the Islamic world), with reciprocal influences.
In addition, local styles were also identified that were later categorized and differentiated in the same way. This era of art, managed to manifest itself through different media and being expressed through various genres, artistic disciplines and techniques.
Among these expressions are: illustrated manuscripts, represented in calligraphy and miniature images; goldsmithing, drawing, sculpture, architecture, mosaics, among others, among which are arts and crafts that are not considered traditional, such as the making of medieval costumes.
byzantine art
Christian art can largely be considered a derivative of what remained of Roman art, which lends it a marked European influence . The production of sacred art was sponsored by the religious hierarchy of that time, which today is the institution of the Catholic Church, following the fall of Rome and amidst a power struggle within the political sphere.
Within the Eastern Roman Empire, the Orthodox Church of Constantinople enjoyed greater stability, a key element for its role as a patron in the world of the arts, its influence being felt in its use to achieve a greater emphasis on Christianity.
In the Byzantine Empire, Christian art developed a more abstract aesthetic, a technique that quickly replaced the naturalism that had prevailed in Hellenic art. The purpose of this new style was quite emphatic: to convey, through its manifestation, the religious representation and significance of each object or person in a more accurate way.
In the same way, the new technique opted for a somewhat simpler process using geometric shapes, already established norms and an inverted perspective when recreating a religious scene or making a portrait of a character, leaving aside light techniques. and color, the proportions of space and the concept of realistic perspective.
The era of Byzantine iconoclasm went through a strong crisis that served to standardize images for religious use within Eastern dogmas, as well as the interpretation that was made of the second commandment in this artistic trend and the controversy that arose due to the use of images. serious.
Influence in Eastern Europe and Africa
In Africa , the Slavic peoples were Christianized by Rome from the west and by Constantinople from the south. Figures like Methodius and Cyril were among those who preached the gospel to the slaves. As a result, groups of Russian, Bulgarian, and Serbian immigrants began to draw cultural inspiration from Byzantine culture, art, and religion.
On the one hand, Moscow claimed to take the place of Rome after the fall of the city of Constantinople, which in some way influenced the Byzantine icons to be immortalized within Russian painting, being a means to reproduce conventions again and immortalize them. The techniques of Byzantine art had a fairly marked influence on the construction style of Russian architecture.
After the Muslim invasion, both Egyptian and Ethiopian Christianity remained largely independent of European influence, particularly from Rome and Constantinople , achieving autonomous development. However, Byzantine models did influence their aesthetics, making Ethiopian religious architecture unique.
pre-Romanesque art
Pre-Romanesque art originated in Western Europe and is part of the Christian art produced during the first major period of the Middle Ages, spanning from the 6th to the 10th centuries, or from the end of the 5th century to the beginning of the 11th century, a period often referred to as historiography. The term was coined by Jean Hubert in 1938.
This type of Christian art refers to a general expression that encompasses all the elements that comprise Latin Christianity as the subject of an artistic production, the product of a mixture between Romanesque and Paleo-Christian art, without the designation of any previously defined aesthetic movement.
The continuity of the Roman Empire in the eastern region gave way to the progress of Byzantine art, contrary to what happened in the western region, where invasions, added to the fall of the Western Roman Empire, created an environment of political instability. which led the culture to decline.
This phase of the history of the arts was known as the "dark age", which was characterized by a scarcity of written sources and the discontinuity of others, circumstances that were taken advantage of by the Germanic peoples, who merged their culture and their art with the classical Greco-Roman culture existing in those times, which had been agreed by new institutions to integrate the principles of Christianity.
Islamic art, for its part, achieved its development, originating from the Arab expansion that settled on the southern shore, dividing the Mediterranean space from Spain to Syria , an event that occurred between the 7th and 8th centuries. There are certain common characteristics within pre-Romanesque art.
One of the most notable is the relative absence of major architectural projects, including the reuse of existing buildings. In addition to this, few samples of large sculptures can be seen, with preferences leaning towards the illustrations present in works and manuscripts, as well as in goldsmith pieces.
Other characteristic elements are understood by the evolution and symbolism of figurative art, going from the formal to the simple, passing through a certain schematization. With the application of this technique, the aim is to achieve even greater expressiveness, showing various decorative themes in abundance, leaving aside realism.
Despite having all these elements, they are still not enough to distinguish them among the types of local arts, coming to be appreciated framed within an international style, as it happens in the case of Romanesque and Gothic art.
The invaders imposed a new concept of the European whole, when they contributed their cultural baggage individually, by settling in the region permanently. Their adherence to Christian Romanity was presented in different ways, adapting to each of the regions where they settled.
Romanesque art
During the times of the emergence of Romanesque art, the Catholic Church was the great protagonist, since it began to give guidelines in terms of art, at the time when a more stable Western European society was emerging in the medieval period.
This religious institution used the resources, power and hierarchy it had to commission the creations of sculptures and paintings. The type of architecture with the floor plan in the form of a Latin cross became an iconographic structure in the form of pilgrimage churches, which rapidly spread throughout Western Europe.
Transition from Romanesque to Gothic and Cistercian art
One of the forerunners of existing Christian art during the Middle Ages was Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who had a quite radical perception of what the aesthetic function should be in order to express the artistic manifestations of the religion of Christianity.
His intention was, through his proposal, to purge Christian art of what, according to him, were excessive decorations, even considering them as deviations from said doctrine. His technique leaned more towards simplicity of lines and good use of light. The iconographic representation of Christ was the best example of his technique.
Gothic art
Within the Christian art of the Middle Ages, we come to the classification of Gothic art, which is shown as an artistic style developed in Western Europe in the mid-twelfth century, a period where the late Middle Ages advanced and whose implementation was extending to the Renaissance.
It comprises an extensive artistic period, which had its origin in the North of France, to later spread throughout the western region. His working method is set according to the regions and countries where this movement developed chronologically, obtaining deep differentiation as a result.
In France, one of its development phases took place with a purer character, the one presented in Provence being different than the one in Paris. In Italy, it had a distinction closer to the classical and horizontal tradition, despite having a paradigmatic example that is the Milan Cathedral.
And finally, in countries like England, Germany, and Spain, it manifests itself by incorporating local elements from those regions. If you're interested in reading another similar article about culture, we invite you to check out White Brotherhood.
Transition from Gothic to Renaissance
The end of the Middle Ages or medieval, became a particularly shaken time due to several events that caused a great impact such as the black plague and the crisis of the fourteenth century. The division of the West affected the religious aspect, placing all Christians throughout Western Europe in a situation never seen before, of an unprecedented nature.
It was that some Popes were refusing to excommunicate each other, and only did so with their followers. Those times were represented through music and dance, since the songs performed by the goliards and the symbology of the dance of death, were a reminder of how fleeting life is.
Art of the Modern Age
The Christian art that manifested itself during the times of the Modern Age, can be considered as the great boom of this art, since it was the time of construction of great emblematic works based on the religion of Christianity.
Between 1656 and 1667, a renowned artist named Bernini constructed a highly allegorical colonnade considered the gateway to the heart of Catholic Christendom. This same artist designed the piazza and the interior of the baldachin, employing only Baroque elements.
In 1626, the centralized plan that was originally conceived to house St. Peter 's Basilica in 1506 was altered, and the location of the dome fixes the profile of the Rome skyline to this day.
The Renaissance and Renaissance art
The Renaissance is a great artistic movement with a philosophical basis. This movement, which is part of Christian art, was born at the end of the fifteenth century in Europe, specifically in Italy. His main characteristic is manifested through the arts, making clear his great admiration for classical antiquity, an element that, in addition to taking as a model, he reproduces in all his works.
It should be noted that the name Renaissance was given to it since the purpose of this movement suggests a rebirth, or the action of a new birth of Greco-Latin culture.
Between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and in the cities of Florence, Rome and Venice, this style of art achieved such grandeur as had rarely been seen throughout history. In the same way, it had a great concentration of artists, originating in those times notable and significant changes within the arts, especially in the Italian Renaissance.
The Renaissance in Italy
In Italy, cultural expressions and manifestations that evoke the ancient world have always had a privileged place. An example of this is the presence of a large number of ruins that have been preserved to the present day.
In ancient times, the Italian cities and states were very rich, so, over the years, their guardianship has become a kind of competition against great powers, who brought great fortunes, with the aim of finance culture.
In that region, a group stands out as peerless protectors of art, the Medici, as well as the Florentines, in the case of architecture. Several artists who began to be famous replaced the medieval craftsmen, who carried out their works with the aim of glorifying God, but whose guild was already quite weakened.
The glory began to be shared by the authors of the works, who enjoyed their triumphs and prestige, beyond the borders. Being able to obtain new knowledge was also something important, emerging within this group of artists the desire to explore the world through scientific processes, which serve to renew the forms and types of art.
Causes of the Renaissance
Elements emerged in Christian art that gave rise to a space opening up to the emergence of the Renaissance movement. Some of the causes that gave way to the rebirth are:
- The existence of very valuable manuscripts written by Romans and Greeks, which were preserved in perfect condition by medieval convents and universities.
- The readings of the classic works were possible thanks to the use of the Latin language, which was considered a very prestigious language.
- The motivation derived from the curiosity of some to know about the civilizations that existed in the past and that were capable of building structures from Roman ruins that appeared in the Italian region.
- The creation of the printing press was of great help in making known the texts of sages, philosophers and poets, existing both in antiquity and today.
Stages and characteristics of the Renaissance
Regarding the stages of the Renaissance, we can say that there are three: The Pre-Renaissance or also known as trecento, comprised of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries; the Quatrocento that occurred until the end of the fifteenth century; and the Cinquecento.
Among the most outstanding aspects of its characteristics we have the reproduction of the model of sculpture and architecture that were exhibited in Rome and Greece. The contemplation of an ideal of beauty, according to what is established by the parameters of reason.
In this movement of Christian art, the balance and serenity that kept everything in harmony were sought. The works created responded to statutes of perfection and clarity, attributes that corresponded to universal norms of permanence in force.
The known construction systems: column and architrave, and arch and vault, are combined with Greco-Roman type construction elements, features that characterized architecture during the Renaissance era.
The hemispherical dome, the vault and the semicircular arch are the three admissible classical orders in the Roman manner. The Renaissance church model has several distinctive and essential elements in its dome: it is built with brick material and has an arched shape; it doubles, one inside the other.
Within the constructions in terms of Renaissance architecture, cataloged as the most important are the Churches and the palaces. The churches are inspired by the same structure that the Roman basilica presents, following as a construction pattern the construction of a floor plan in the form of a Latin cross, elongated galleys and others separated by columns and arches, with flat and relief ceilings.
Baroque Art
This art began in 1600 presenting itself as a resistance movement, which sought to outline propagandistic art, making everyday activities a theme to represent through the arts, in a simple but quite expressive way. He even took into account some details that, although abrupt and morbid, were part of life.
But, this was only part of its initial content, since with the passage of time, its purposes changed, now having the idea of demonstrating the superiority that the Roman Church exercised in those years. It also went through a phase of excessive use in decorations that was called "decorative baroque", whose cycle ended in the eighteenth century.
Religious art received a strong boost from the Monarchy and other important representatives of society with great power, which made Baroque art serve to set a symbology that expressed dogmas and styles.
From the 17th century onwards, all artistic productions in Europe came to be categorized as Baroque art, including Dutch painting and English architecture, although in Dutch architecture one can also see features of religious buildings, which present characteristics of Christian art, specifically Protestant Baroque.
As for the colonial baroque, it marked a new trend, reproducing a new type of harmony and syncretism, beyond European forms, highlighting aspects of the popular religiosity that was being born at that time.
A religious musical Baroque art also emerged, which quickly became popular not only because of its exponents, among whom were Bach and Vivaldi , but also because of the religious traditions of Catholics and Protestants with which it identified.
Art of the Contemporary Age
In Western Europe, ancient and medieval Christian art began to be compiled in the XNUMXth century, with the incorporation of a new profane, non-sectarian and universal knowledge of art, which consisted of giving an artistic value to the works, more than religious worship.
For its part, the nascent contemporary Christian art was being considered as marginal, and secular and profane artists began to reproduce Christian themes occasionally, although a Christian artist was rarely included in the historical canon. However, many modern artists have created pieces of art for churches that have been recognized worldwide.
Neoclassicism and historicisms
During the development of the second half of the XNUMXth century, a new conventional artistic style emerged triumphantly, neoclassicism, a movement that was maintained during the art stage of the Contemporary Age, thanks to its preference for the academy.
The creations of Christian art fulfilled the purpose of keeping their followers, and they assiduously adapted to this new style, without having to give in to the artistic changes, products of the revolutions, which posed some aesthetic challenges.
Through this style, it was proposed as an alternative, to merge some elements of the past and that were very successful in their time, it shows that it was evident in the art of architecture with a marked tendency in the techniques of neo-Byzantine, neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, and even in eclecticism, which consists of the combination of elements whose origin is different.
The creation of these works extended to the XNUMXth century in a chronological manner. Both in sculpture and in painting, the great artistic influence left by this movement can be evidenced, even within countries far from where neoclassicism originated. This has produced a mixture of artistic expressions not only European, but also Hispanic and mestizo.
Pre-romanticism and romanticism
As a revolutionary and aesthetic artistic movement, but also political, French realism was defined, a situation that placed it against the feelings and desires expressed by the followers of traditional arts and Catholic tendencies. However, this did not stop artists from expressing themselves individually and creating authentic examples of Christian art.
Similarly, in the mid-nineteenth century, the Christian stimulation of representations with content of traditional religious themes, was not so evident, even coming to have other motivations than those that the work allowed to see. Some painters captured religious themes in their works, with an intention that became evident, to cause provocation and even show their irreverence.
The artistic movements that arose in England and Germany, and which were called pre-Raphaelites and Nazarenes, sought the element of purity within the history of art, both in the artistic and in the religious part, that was detached from the techniques academic and baroque.
Impressionism, post-impressionism and modernism
At the end of the XNUMXth century, several innovative aesthetic movements began to develop, which had their origin within a popular artistic context, but which showed indifference to the religious aspect and to clericalism.
Despite this, the spirit of the Christian trend remained present within the artistic creations in a dissident way. The ecclesiastical structures were a clear example of this premise, where the theme of religiosity was manifested in a profound and integrated way.
artistic vanguards
Through religious works, part of the trajectory of some painters related to the most important styles was characterized. It was thanks to the great detail that produced the style of architecture designed by them during the last century that Christian art was renewed. Proof of this were the religious buildings of the time.
In the year 1922, several "Christocentric" churches began to be built, works that were directed by a liturgical movement, which was of great influence for a change in the understanding of Christianity, framed in the structure of its spaces. for the celebration of their cults.
This step gradually materialized, becoming evident in various architectural examples that are part of both Catholic and Protestant buildings. The profound renewal of Catholicism envisioned by the Second Vatican Council was manifested in all artistic expressions during the second half of the 20th century.
Characteristics of modern architecture
The type of architecture that was built at the end of the XNUMXth century did not have a rigid character, that is, it was not carried away by a certain style. The main idea was based on the usefulness of the property and the function to be performed for the benefit of the group.
As a result of this, a new concept of a type of functionalist architecture is created, which merges the academy with the criteria of trends, leaving aside their differences. New materials are added to the construction, among which are: artificial stones, formica, aluminum, steel, cast iron, fiberglass, concrete, among others.
But, among all these implements, within modern architecture, the use of steel and iron stand out as important tools in this process. Its main use is within the construction of the building structure, which basically refers to a skeleton formed by the placement of beams in horizontal and vertical ways, and which are solidly fixed.
This base is the one that contains the necessary resistance, which will allow the construction of walls with light materials, placing large glass windows, which provide excellent lighting to the interior spaces of the work.
In addition, the metal structure has great resistance to ruptures and deformations, having attributes that allow it to take any shape that you want to give it, according to the chosen design. This skeleton consists of several elements such as an iron armor, cement, rods, etc.
These building materials are constantly subjected to bending and compression, which the concrete successfully resists. One of the characteristics of current architecture that stands out is that its functional elements are visible, having several elements that distinguish it such as: texture, color, shape, model, etc., adapted to the desired artistic effect.
The modernism of Christian art, differed from other trends, given its functionalist character, which were different in each of the countries in which it developed. However, it had several points that were common and general, such as the mixture of certain materials such as bricks and stones.
Another of its characteristics was the use of asymmetrical and twisted shapes; of wavy lines; dense decorations made with the use of flowers and other plants, among others; standing out with great creativity in terms of window and door designs.
contemporary christian art
The investigation to publicize the usefulness and other uses of new materials in the field of building construction was one of the aspects that made contemporary Christian art stand out. The results of the investigation concluded that buildings with a small size should be built, for residences, factories or premises, having a smaller distribution of their spaces.
Similarly, the employment for this type of work, for concrete, iron and aluminum materials, and as for the rest of the surfaces, glass. Their structures took on geometric shapes of a cubic type, whose strength rested on specific axes. It was the Germans who, in 1970, took the lead when it came to working with models of this new architecture.
Devotional items and folk art
An important element that contributed to the spread of popular Christian culture was the large-scale sale and reproduction of works of mercy, which in turn became possible with the use of printing. During the XNUMXth century, the activity was carried out by stage painters, who were specialists in said literary genre.
Added to this great advance is the increase in the production of stamps containing prayers to the saints, which were made in color, using the invention of lithography. They began to be distributed as a way to raise funds for the maintenance of temples and other religious sanctuaries.
Later, this advertising strategy became a valuable educational resource, which was used in catechism and other Sunday schools. Parallel to this, the artists who began to describe themselves as Christians, were acquiring great successes commercially, the most recognized in the area being the Americans and the Spanish.
Iconographic themes
Before the Contemporary Age, a large part of the inhabitants did not know how to read, so it was difficult for them to review the sacred texts that were written in Latin. It is then like Christian art, it is presented by offering them a more accessible alternative so that they could understand the meaning of Christian messages.
The Church began to use art extensively as a strategy in catechesis. Its contribution was so significant that Romanesque sculpture came to be called "the gospel of stone." Christian art became an important iconography, revealing the symbols of each saint, so that, at a glance, they were instantly identifiable to the faithful, such as the keys of Saint Peter or the flowers of the Virgin Mary.
Within Christian art, the most popular iconographic themes are those that refer to the life cycle of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. There is also that of the lives of Catholic saints and martyrs, especially those whose devotions extend around the world.
The most common representations of the saints can appear individually or together with several, without the need for the representation of that scene that was artistically captured, to have been real or not. One of the most reproduced is the image where everyone is supposed to be together and reunited in the kingdom of heaven.
Old Testament Cycles
Several themes that are referred to within the Old Testament are frequently represented in Christian art, especially the scriptures of Exodus and Genesis, such as images of Paradise and the creation of the world; as well as from the accounts of respected sages and prophets of the time.
There were specific themes that were of great interest to be reproduced by plastic artists and painters, making these works of attractive taste that won active buyers among the population.
This led to the opening of a parallel commercial market for commissions made only by ecclesiastical institutions, which did allow freedom in the works, which now featured nudes and violent scenes, which appeared hand in hand with the Renaissance period.
Angels, personifications and collectives
Another theme that became very common in Christian art was the representation of angels and cherubs, either individually or together with other angelic choirs. Also, works were performed where both sin and virtues were personified, making these themes very frequent.
Around the groups, they were represented numerically conventional, such as, for example, the case of the 12 apostles, the 10 commandments, the 8 doctors of the church, the 7 archangels, etc.
Cycle of the life of Christ
The artistic characterization of the life of Jesus Christ begins with the presentation of his genealogy, rather than with his birth itself, with notable examples being paintings that allude to the announcement of the spirit angel about the miraculous conception, and other scenes where the pregnant Virgin Mary can be seen.
Also noteworthy within these cycles is the Nativity scene, which includes scenes with messages that denote profound veneration. These include the adoration of the shepherds of the infant Jesus and the Holy Family; the adoration of the Magi ; the depiction of the Massacre of the Innocents; and the Flight into Egypt and the Rest in Egypt.
Christian art specialized in depictions of various passages in the life of Jesus , from his childhood to his adulthood, up to the age of 33. His childhood is represented in paintings and sculptures, always accompanied by his parents, as is the biblical passage of his visit to the temple, both when he was presented to the world and when he was lost and met with the great religious leaders of that time.
As an adult, his actions stand out from the time of his encounter with his cousin John the Baptist and his baptism, as well as the era of his miracles and preaching, when he met with his faithful followers, the apostles. His most famous parables are also depicted in Christian art.
Among his miracles, the healing of the leper, the blind man, and the paralytic stand out. Also noteworthy are the iconic wedding at Cana and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The image of Jesus walking on water and the moment he calmed the raging storm at sea are among the most frequently depicted episodes.
Similarly, within the cycle of Christ 's life, the resurrection of Lazarus stands out in art , as does the image of his Resurrection tunic inside the crypt where he was found, which became a symbol of his passion and death.
Transfiguration of Christ
Without a doubt, the most reproduced themes in Christian art have been the last days on earth of Jesus Christ , such as the Expulsion of the merchants from the Temple, with which, in addition to representing that important event in religious history, a divine character was shown with feelings like any other human being.
The washing of his feet, along with the Last Supper, are part of classic works that comprise the cycle of the Passion of Christ , which also includes his anguish in the garden, the kiss on the cheek given to him by Judas, and several scenes from his Trial.
The sequence of the thirteen stations through which his viacrucis was artistically represented, was captured in different ways, since on some occasions, it is presented with numbers and on other times by crosses.
This sequence describes, through images, his condemnation, his encounter with his Mother, and when he receives help from Simon of Cyrene , until he is lying on the Cross next to the two thieves.
It is precisely the part of the passion and death that form the life cycle of Jesus, where Christian art created the most representations, taking each of the events experienced in his last days, and bringing them to the canvas to immortalize them.
The scenes of Christ on Calvary, when he uttered the famous seven last words that became a prayer, have been highlighted in all art forms: architecture, painting, literature, and others. The mutual presentation of John to the Virgin Mary as mother and son is one of the most frequently depicted.
There are some that do not have many representations that, nevertheless, caught the attention of several Christian artists, such as the days that Jesus Christ remained dead , as well as the Pietà scene, which was later labeled "pathetic" by art experts.
The various themes derived from the holy burial were also of interest to the artists who dedicated themselves to working on Christian art, resulting in complex typologies such as the image of Christ when he was being held by cherubim in heaven, a pensive Jesus , or the emblematic five wounds.
Continuing with the cycle of Christ's life, we have a very representative part, which, besides being a favorite among Christians and non-believers alike, served as a message of hope. This is the Resurrection of Jesus and his miraculous public appearances after his resurrection.
There you can include the images that denote the famous incredulity of Saint Thomas, or the Ascension of Jesus to heaven, where he is often placed surrounded by his disciples, as a farewell court leaving the promise of a new meeting in the kingdom of the heavens
There is also the story of Jesus 's descent into hell and his subsequent ascension into heaven, which became part of the symbolism associated with the Holy Trinity . There are artistic representations of Christ 's life that are not entirely based on the Gospel narrative, among which the conversation with Saint Paul and the martyrdom of Saint Stephen stand out , both of which are described and taken from the Book of Acts.
The representation of the numerous visions referring to the Apocalypse and the perspective of a concept assigned to what was the Final Judgment, are added to this type of works, but they are not formally registered in any biblical text.
marian cycle
Because Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary are the most popular divine figures among devout believers, just as there was a cycle of Christ's life in the world of art, there was also a Marian cycle.
This gave rise to the concept of "Marian art," which became a branch of Christian art whose main artistic theme revolved around the Virgin Mary. This cycle encompasses the representation of the Virgin Mary , showing her image through painting and sculpture, which formed part of the Marian iconography known today.
In terms of architecture, Marian art was reflected in the structure adopted by Marian churches and other infrastructures such as convents, temples, monasteries and others of a religious nature, which were built for the veneration of the different dedications of the Virgin.
This Marian cycle is notable for its literary compositions, specifically religious or Marian poetry, as well as musical pieces, all dedicated to the Virgin Mary in praise. The Marian theme even found its way into film posters and television worldwide.
From the first centuries, the Virgin Mary, baptized as the Mother of God, was venerated with great devotion, which increased through her iconographic representations that expanded the concept of universal Mother. This diffusion of her image contributed notably to the promotion of the doctrine of Christianity, leading it to obtain popular success.
This popularity dating from the twelfth century, occurred from the East through Byzantine art, to the West, after the Protestant Reformation. The premises of Catholicism intensified Marian devotion, making artistic representations of the Virgin part of the canons determined by the Council of Trent.
life cycles of saints
The cycle of lives of the saints was called within Christian art as "hagiographies", a term that etymologically means saint and writing, which is then conceptualized as the biographical composition of the saints. The people who create these biographies are Known as hagiographer, a term that is also awarded to those who wrote the Bible and the other books of the Sacred.
The Catholic editions of the Bible describe the lives of various divine characters, considered as Catholic saints. The saints who suffered martyrdom in life are also a subject of great interest to Christian artists, who have represented them through various types of iconography.
They are registered in a martyrology, named after a kind of list that has the name of each of these martyrs and saints, belonging to the Catholic Church, accompanied by their stories, highlighting the dates on which their festivals are commemorated.
The term had its origin in the Greek language, whose root is "martyr" which means "witness", and the prefix "logos", which refers to "speech". It is considered as the great book of saints and martyrs containing their anniversaries, added to events and mysteries that contain their stories, accredited by the Catholic Church.
The order in which the dates of the lists were established coincide with the dates of the calendars, since the majority of the martyrdoms were the persecutions of which the faithful believers of Christianity were victims, who gave their lives to defend their religion.
christian architecture
Within Christian art, architecture began to be an important means of expression, which was evident in the constructions on the floors of Catholic churches and other religious temples, designed based on formal criteria.
Although these forms were established from the times of the Late Antiquity Era and the Middle Ages, passing through all the phases of the Renaissance, and with a marked sample of Baroque art, still in contemporary times, it remained in constant innovation.
Preferences leaned towards the Latin Cross floor plan design , which was becoming more prevalent than designs where it appeared in a centralized form, leaving them aside, the reason being that they were used to worship idols.
Among other designs presented for that time was the basilica floor plan model , whose shape simulates the structures of Roman basilicas, with elements that distinguished Paleochristian art.
The characteristics that they included was the position of a central galley, which could well be alone or with other galleys located on the sides and away from the central one due to the arrangement of an arcade, with which a circular shape was made with the columns, and in other cases, it could have a polygonal shape created through the placement of its pillars.
In that place was where the faithful were located, which created within the spaces, the appearance that it was the head of the temple or the church. The main altar and the presbytery were also located there. At the "feet" of the church, the access doors were located, technically called atrium and porch.
The centralized , or central, floor plan was referred to as "rotunda-shaped." It contained several axes of symmetry, which were very characteristic of this type of structure, based on designs that took a circular or polygonal form, with the concentration of worshippers in the central part of the building.
During Renaissance times, the centralized plan model becomes a means of seeking to optimize the beauty of Christian architecture. The plants of the temples and monasteries were an example of this.
However, the models were very different in relation to those of the East and the West, having in common the existence of a cloister, but with different shapes. Over the centuries, the construction of religious buildings has been extended, although most of them have different construction criteria in their plans.
islamic architecture
Within Islamic architecture, the plants of “the mosques” stood out in Christian art, which were the churches where the religion of Islam was studied. During the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, Islam had a great expansion and with it the construction of mosques.
Their structure corresponded to the needs of this religion, so they were adapted to meet the basic religious requirements. They had the characterization contained in the local architectural traditions, with a clear Byzantine, Persian, Hindu tendency, among others.
military architecture
The form that was adapted in the part of the military architecture were the plants with regular shapes, and whose bases were quadrangular. The large buildings built in medieval times, where castles stand out, were adapted to the topography of where they were built, obtaining irregular floors.
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