WHEN ROME BECAME CHRISTIAN

Grabar, André (1896–1990)

Early Christian Art: From the Rise of Christianity to the Death of Theodosius [Illustrated Survey of the Foundations of Christian Visual Culture]

New York: Odyssey Press, 1968.
THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF A NEW FAITH TAKES SHAPE.
One of the twentieth century's most influential studies of Early Christian art, written by renowned Byzantine and Christian art historian André Grabar. Covering the period from the emergence of Christianity through the death of Emperor Theodosius I in A.D. 395, the work presents the transformation of Roman artistic traditions into a distinctly Christian visual culture.

Richly illustrated throughout with both black-and-white and color reproductions, Grabar examines catacomb paintings, sarcophagi, mosaics, sculpture, architecture, and devotional imagery, tracing the development of symbols, iconography, and artistic forms that would shape Christian art for centuries. The volume remains an important reference for students of art history, archaeology, religious studies, and the classical world.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Publisher's original red cloth, front board and spine stamped in gilt. Quarto. Measures approximately 11 inches tall. 325 pages [2] with glossary and index. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white and color plates. 

CONDITION: Near Fine in a Very Good dust jacket. Bindings are tight and secure. Text is clean; light, even age-toning. Minimal shelf handling wear. Dust jacket is price-clipped with minor wear at the spine tips and is now protected in a Mylar cover. A handsome, well-preserved copy.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
André Grabar was among the foremost scholars of Byzantine and Early Christian art during the twentieth century. His work helped establish the study of Christian iconography as a major academic discipline and influenced generations of historians, archaeologists, and museum curators. This volume presents a concise yet authoritative overview of the artistic transition from the Roman Empire to the Christian world.

CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS
+++ Development of Early Christian visual symbolism
+++ Catacomb painting and funerary art
+++ Early church architecture and mosaics
+++ Christian adaptation of Roman artistic traditions
+++ Extensive scholarly photographic illustrations
+++ Influential work by a leading historian of Byzantine and Christian art

SUBJECTS: Early Christian Art; Christian Iconography; Byzantine Studies; Roman Empire; Church History; Religious Art; Classical Archaeology, Art History; Religious Studies; Archaeology.

Item #22091

Price: $35.00