FAH101H1 Lecture Notes - Santa Costanza, Byzantine Art, Philistines
Document Summary
North wall: simple drawings depicting christ and stories in the new testament, the power of god, miracles. Relationship between images and words, implied meanings, viewers should have prior knowledge. Elsner describes christianity as inclusive, but is negative about jewish images. South wall: story of david and goliath, in the old testament, seen as ancestor of christ. Woman at the well (new testament) rite of baptism. Synagogue: central atrium, frescoes on east to west, main frescoes on the west. Synagogue had old testament themes, show relationship with their god. Unnatural poses of the people in the images. Torah niche shows sacrifice of isaac, that symbolizes faith. Rendering of temple shows city of jerusalem, temple of aaron to be specific. One fresco could be temple of solomon or a pagan temple. Miracles depicted such as moses giving water to the 12 tribes of israel. Moses appears large to show how important he is.
