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Early Christian architecture

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | 2000 | | Copyright

Early Christian architecture. An integral part of the architecture of the Roman Empire, the most important buildings are of three types: churches, commemorative structures, and covered cemeteries. The exemplar of churches after the recognition of Christianity in C4 was the Roman basilica, of which San Pietro, Rome (c.320–30—demolished early C16), was an influential example because seen by countless pilgrims. The form reached its standard in Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome (423–40), with the clerestoreyed nave, lean-to aisles, and apsidal end. The old St Peter's was built over a cemetery, and its funereal character was emphasized by the large mausolea attached to the tall transeptal structure on one side. Another circular mausoleum, that of Santa Costanza, Rome (c.350), is a clerestoreyed domed structure surrounded by an annular barrel-vault. Originally it was attached to the covered cemetery of Santa Agnese (c.340). Early Christian basilicas had nave-arcades incorporating columns taken from early buildings, or even nave-colonnades where the entablatures were recycled. Openings were almost invariably semicircular-headed.

Aspects of Early Christian architecture were revived in C19, especially as part of the Rundbogenstil pioneered by von Klenze, Gärtner, and others. Good examples can be found in England too (e.g. Wild's Christ Church, Streatham Hill, London (1840–2), and Losh's St Mary, Wreay, Cumb. (begun 1842)).

Bibliography

Colvin (1991);
Krautheimer (1986);
Mango (1986)
Jane Turner (1996)

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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Early Christian architecture." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Early Christian architecture." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-EarlyChristianarchitectur.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Early Christian architecture." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-EarlyChristianarchitectur.html

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Early Christian art

The Oxford Dictionary of Art | 2004 | | Copyright

Early Christian art. Term generally applied to Christian art from the 3rd century ad until about 750, particularly in Italy and the western Mediterranean. The art of the Eastern Empire during this time is termed Byzantine art, but there is no hard-and-fast demarcation between the two traditions.

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IAN CHILVERS. "Early Christian art." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Early Christian art." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-EarlyChristianart.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Early Christian art." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-EarlyChristianart.html

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Early Christian art

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists | 2003 | | Copyright

Early Christian art. Term generally applied to Christian art from the 3rd century ad until about 750, particularly in Italy and the western Mediterranean. The art of the Eastern empire during this time is termed Byzantine art, but there is no hard-and-fast demarcation between the two traditions.

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IAN CHILVERS. "Early Christian art." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Early Christian art." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-EarlyChristianart.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Early Christian art." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-EarlyChristianart.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Sacred spaces & other places.(A Sense of the Sacred: Theological Foundations... Magazine article from: First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life; 5/1/2006
	The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture. Magazine article from: Contemporary Review; 6/1/1997
	The house of God; church architecture, style and history. (reprint,... Magazine article from: Reference & Research Book News; 8/1/2005