Module 5: Islamic Art

 Sant’Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna (Italy), c. 533-49 (apse mosaic, 6th century, triumphal arch mosaics, likely c. 7th-12th centuries)

    

Ceiling, Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, late 2nd century – 4th century C.E.

For module 5 I chose to do a comparison post elaborating on the similarities and differences of the images above, (top) Sant’ Apollinare in Classe and (bottom) Ceiling, Catacomb of Priscilla. Starting with the similarities between these two early Christian representations, the most obvious is that  they are both in the ceiling of a religious space. The two pieces contain the same shape for the overall piece, the dome around the piece up top and the red circle-like shape on the bottom, if you look closely around the mosaic edge, there is a red border surrounding the mosaic. In both pictures there are sheep and a shepherd in the middle praising the above. And finally, the representation of nature or rather life shown through the different plants and animals. Now moving on to the differences, obviously the Sant’ Apollinare holds much more detail compared to the ceiling of the Catacomb of Priscilla. Sant’ Apollinare shows God's hand reaching out of the sky with two prophet on the sides of him (not only this but the Sant’ Apollinare actually has text at the sides of the heads of the prophets), the cross in the center with a blue halo surrounding it symbolizes the word of God and God himself. The sky is gold instead of blue to give off the heavenly vibe, referring to “the light” on the other side. The ceiling of Catacomb of Priscilla only shows one figure (the good shepherd) which I’m assuming is an angel because it has wings, it can be a connection to the Gods therefore referring to God himself. Said figure has a sheep on it’s shoulders so the artist is probably trying to show a connection between the animal and shepherd himself. Although these two pieces came from different artists in a different time they both represent the old  Christian belief.  I believe the overall purpose for the representations is to display fine illustrations revolving around Biblical scenes. Christians wanted their belief to be forever and these art pieces are doing the job of letting that religion keep in practice. Looking at this from a non religious point of view, it makes you wonder what more there is to the story of this one image. Both images refer to Jesus through 1. the cross, 2. the winged figures, and 3. the hand coming down from the sky. Both images serve as a reminder to praise God.

 Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Sant’Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna (Italy)," in Smarthistory, December 10, 2015, accessed September 23, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/santapollinare-in-classe-ravenna-italy/.

 Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome," in Smarthistory, December 16, 2015, accessed September 23, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/catacomb-of-priscilla-rome/.