1. Art Before 1300 – Part II
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2. The Mediterranean World Before the Christian Era (BCE) 2

3. Religion and Mythology
Greek gods and goddesses had all the flaws that humanity had:
anger, jealousy, envy, and lust, as well as the virtues, nobility,
loyalty, courage, and wisdom.
The Romans adopted the Greek gods until circa 300 CE, when
the Roman Emperor Constantine named Christianity the religion
of the growing, powerful Roman Empire.
Christianity became associated with empire.
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4. Religion and Mythology
The Greek philosophical ideals of balance, harmony, and symmetry
are reflected in their art and architecture. The human body was the
visible means of conveying perfection.
With the rise of the Greek city-state came the concept of democracy,
with civic participation, civic responsibility, and rights.
Etymology of the word “democracy” comes from the Greek
word demokratia "popular government," [from demos"common
people," originally "district" (see demotic), + kratos "rule, strength"
(see -cracy)].
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5. Mount Olympus (the home of the gods), Greece’s highest mountain
5

6. Gods and Goddesses
ZEUS - JUPITER
Ruled the sky. Weapon was
the thunderbolt.
King of the Gods. Married
Hera who was also his
sister.
Zeus
Bronze
Greece
C. 450 BCEs
6

7. Gods and Goddesses
HERA - JUNO
Goddess of Marriage.
Wife and sister of Zeus.
Juno
Bronze
Greece
C. 450 BCE
7

8. Gods and Goddesses
POSEIDON - NEPTUNE
Lord of the Sea.
Ruled with 3-pronged
pitchfork called a Trident.
Brother of Zeus, etc.
Neptune
Marble
Artist Unknown
Statue located in Museum in
Copenhagen, Denmark
8

9. Gods and Goddesses
HESTIA – VESTA
Goddess of the hearth.
Sister of Zeus, Poseidon,
Hera, etc.
Hestia
Greek Ceramic Vase
Painting
9

10. Gods and Goddesses
DEMETER - CERES
Goddess of grain and
agriculture.
Sister of Zeus, Poseidon,
Hera, etc.
Demeter
Artist unknown
Collection of the Vatican,
Rome, Italy
10

11. Gods and Goddesses
ARES - MARS
God of war.
Son of Zeus and Hera, lover of
Aphrodite, and father of Romulus
and Remus (founders of Rome –
next slide).
Ares
Artist unknown
Collection of Hadrian’s Villa, Italy
11

12. Greek Mythology
A legend
says that
twins
Romulus
and
Remus,
(founders
of Rome)
were
raised by a
wolf.
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13. Gods and Goddesses
ATHENA - MINERVA
Goddess of wisdom and
warfare.
A virgin, born from the head
of Zeus.
Athena
Relief sculpture
Artist unknown
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14. Gods and Goddesses
HEPHAISTOS - VULCAN
God of fire and metalworking.
Son of Zeus and Hera, born lame
and ugly.
Married Aphrodite (Venus) who
was unfaithful.
Vulcan
Painting by Peter Paul Rubens
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15. Gods and Goddesses
APOLLO - APOLLO
God of light and music.
Son of Zeus, always depicted as
beautiful, like the sun.
Apollo
Marble from Ionia
2nd Century CE
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16. Gods and Goddesses
ARTEMIS - DIANA
Goddess of the hunt.
Associated with the moon.
Sister of Apollo.
Diana
Artist unknown
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17. Gods and Goddesses
APHRODITE - VENUS
Goddess of love and beauty.
Daughter of Zeus and a
wood nymph.
Aphrodite of Knidos,
by Paxiteles
C. 350 BCE
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18. Gods and Goddesses
HERMES – MERCURY
Messenger of the gods. Carried
the Caduceus.
Son of Zeus and a nymph.
Hermes and the Infant Dionysis
(Bacchus)
Greek
Circa 350 BCE
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19. Gods and Goddesses
HADES - PLUTO
Lord of the Underworld and god of
the dead.
Brother of Zeus, etc., but did not
live on Olympus.
Hades abducting PERSEPHONE,
Persephone was goddess of the underworld
(was daughter of Zeus and Demeter)
Juan Alberto Schiaffino
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20. Gods and Goddesses
DIONYSIS – BACCHUS
God of wine.
Son of Zeus and a human
woman, Semele.
Bacchus
Painting by Michelangelo
Merisi da Caravaggio.
20

21. Gods and Goddesses
EROS - CUPID
Winged child-god of love.
Son of Aphrodite (love)
and Ares (war).
Cupid
Artist unknown.
Statue in the Farnese
Gallery, Italy
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22. Gods and Goddesses
ASKLEPIOS – AESCULAPIUS
God of healing.
His serpent-entwined staff is
the emblem of modern
medicine.
Son of Apollo and a human
princess.
Aesculapius
Artist unknown.
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23. The Life of Jesus in Art
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24. The Life of Jesus Begins in the Roman Empire
24

25. Historical Jesus
Born and lived his entire life under
the governance of the Roman
Empire.
Known as Jesus of Nazareth (town
about 60 miles from Bethlehem)
Born in Bethlehem (Herod -
massacre of the innocents)
Taught all over the area on the map
Performed miracles at towns on
map
Condemned to death in Jerusalem
Crucified in Golgatha (probably a
burial site north of Jerusalem)
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26. Historical Jesus
Jesus’ life and ministry are told in the four Gospels (chapters) of the
Christian Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
His followers are known both as Disciples and/or Apostles. Jesus
chose 12 Disciples who followed him while he lived. (A DISCIPLE is
a pupil, a student, a follower. An APOSTLE is an ambassador or
teacher. )
Christianity was carried by his Disciples/Apostles and later coverts
to Christianity (such as St. Paul) throughout the Roman Empire, and
from there it spread all over the world.
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27. Historical Jesus – Bishops met in Council at Nicaea, 325 CE
Three hundred years
after Jesus’ death, many
of the Christian bishops
met at Nicaea and
formed the beginnings of
Christian theology, the
primary tenet being that
Jesus was the son of
God, part of the triune
GodHead (Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit)
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28. Historical Jesus – Bishops met in Council at Nicaea, 325 CE
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29. The Life of Jesus in Art
By the second century after Christ’s
death, his virgin birth was
universally believed among most of
the Christian sects that existed at
the time
At the Council of Ephesus in 5th
century, Mary was proclaimed “one
who gives birth to God” and often
called Queen of Heaven.
In 1954, the Roman Catholic church
officially gave her that appellation.
Mary Crowned Queen of Heaven
Painting
Sandro Botticelli
15th Century
Italian
29

30. The Life of Jesus in Art
Incarnation and Childhood (incarnation means to take on
a body – an embodiment)
•Annunciation to Mary (annunciation=announcement)
•Visitation to Elizabeth
•Nativity (Adoration of the shepherds and the Magi)
(nativity=to be born, birth)
•Presentation in the Temple
•Massacre of the Innocents and Flight into Egypt
30

31. Incarnation and Childhood
Annunciation
Archangel Gabriel tells
Mary that she will give
birth to Jesus.
Painting by
Sandro Botticelli
15th Century
Italian
31

32. The Life of Jesus in Art
Visitation
Mary visits her cousin
Elizabeth to announce the
upcoming birth of Jesus.
Elizabeth is also pregnant
with a child, John (the
Baptist), who will later
baptize Jesus.
St. Vaast Altarpiece
Jacques Daret
Netherlands
1435
32

33. Incarnation and Childhood
The Massacre of the Innocents, was
an episode of infanticide by the king of
Judaea, Herod, who ordered the
execution of all young male children in
Bethlehem, to avoid the loss of his
throne to a newborn King of the Jews,
whose birth had been prophesied by
the Magi, also called the Three Wise
Men from The East.
Mary and Joseph go into exile in
Egypt until Herod’s death, and then
return to Bethlehem in time for Jesus’
birth.
Bust of Herod
Bronze
Roman
Artist Unknown 33

34. Incarnation and Childhood
Adoration of the Shepherds
Mary gives birth to Jesus in a
stable – no room at the inn.
Adoration of the Shepherds
Painting
Rembrandt
1646
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35. Incarnation and Childhood
Adoration of the Shepherds
Painting by Caravaggio
16th Century
Italy
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36. Incarnation and Childhood Adoration of the Magi – Rubens, 1618
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37. Incarnation and Childhood
Presentation in
the Temple
Mary and Joseph take the baby
Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem
40 days after his birth in
accordance with the law of
Moses.
Painting
Rembrandt
1631
37

38. Incarnation and Childhood
Presentation in the
Temple
Simeon recognizes Jesus as the
Messiah during the presentation
in the Temple.
Painting
Rembrandt
1627
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39. Incarnation and Childhood Massacre of the Innocents, Bruegel, Flemish, 1565
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40. Incarnation and Childhood Massacre of the Innocents, Rubens, Flemish, 1621
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41. Incarnation and Childhood
Dispute in the
Temple
The Child Jesus
debates with the
Jewish scholars,
foretelling his
ministry
Giotto
Arena Chapel
Rome, Italy
41

42. The Life of Jesus in Art
Public Ministry
•Baptism by John the Baptist
•Calling of Matthew
•Miracles
•Delivery of the Keys to Peter
•Transfiguration (literally, to take on another body or rise out
of the human body, to become changed)
•Cleansing the Temple
42

43. Public Ministry
Baptism by John the Baptist
Guido Reni
Italian
1622
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44. Public Ministry
Calling of
Matthew
Jesus begins to
call his 12
Disciples
Caravaggio
Italian
1622
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45. Public Ministry
Miracles
Cana – Changing water into
wine
Marriage at Cana
Hieronymous Bosch
Dutch
c. 1500
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46. Public Ministry Miracles Healing the Sick, Rembrandt, Etching, 1649
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47. Public Ministry Miracles Raising Lazarus from the Dead, Tintoretto, 16th C, Italian
47

48. Public Ministry Miracles Raising Lazarus from the Dead, Jean Jouvenet
C. 1700, French
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49. Public Ministry Giving Key to Peter, Perugino
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50. Public Ministry
Jesus gave Peter the leadership role among the Disciples, and said to him "I will
give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” which has had various
interpretations all through Christian history.
Peter is venerated in multiple churches and is regarded as the first Pope by the
Roman Catholic Church.
Statue of St. Peter
St. Peter’s Basilica
Vatican
50

51. Public Ministry
Transfiguration
When Jesus and 3 of his
Disciples went up onto a
mountain, the Disciples
reported that Jesus began to
shine with great radiance,
and the prophets Moses and
Elijah appeared next to him
12th Century
Icon from the
Sinai
51

52. Public Ministry
Transfiguration
Anonymous Artist
Ethopian Magic Scrolls
Ethopia
19th Century
52

53. Public Ministry
Cleansing the
Temple
Jesus drives out those he
believes desecrate the
Temple, thus putting
himself into conflict
with Jewish elders.
This may have occurred
during Jesus’ last week
of life.
Driving the Traders from the Temple
El Greco, Spain, 1600
53

54. Passion
• Entry into Jerusalem
• Last Supper
• Agony in the Garden
• Betrayal and Arrest
• Trials of Jesus
• Flagellation (whipping)
• Carrying the Cross, Raising the Cross, Crucifixion
• Deposition (to depose, bring down from the cross), Lamentation,
Entombment
• Descent into Limbo (a state in the afterlife between life and
death)
• Resurrection, Three Marys at the Tomb
• Noli Me Tangere, Supper at Emmaus, Doubting Thomas
• Ascension
54

55. Passion
Entry into
Jerusalem
The last week of Jesus’
life is called Passion
week. It starts with his
entry into Jerusalem to
stand trial and ends with
his crucifixion.
Albrecht Durer
Woodcut
German 1509/1511
55

56. Public Ministry Entry into Jerusalem, Byzantine Icon
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57. Passion
The Last Supper
Jesus foretells his
approaching death.
Note black halo around
Judas in foreground.
Byzantine Miniature
Artist and Date
Unknown
57

58. Passion
The Last Supper Phillipe Champaigne. French, 1622
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59. Passion
Agony in the Garden
After the last supper with his
disciples, Jesus goes into the
garden to contemplate his
approaching death.
Carl Bloch
Danish, circa 1870
59

60. Passion
Betrayal by Judas Iscariot
Judas approaches the Jewish
elders, and agrees to betray
Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Jesus is arrested after Judas’
kiss signals the soldiers.
Kiss of Judas
Gustave Dore
Engraving
French, 1866
60

61. Passion
Trials of Jesus
Jesus is tried before
the Sanhedrin (Jewish
Council) and then
taken to Pontius
Pilate, the Roman
prefect, for his last
trial.
Giotto
Arena Chapel
Rome, Italy
61

62. Passion
Flagellation
Jesus is tortured during his
imprisonment.
William Bourguereau
Circa 1870
French
62

63. Passion
Carrying the Cross
Jesus is forced to
carry the cross he
will be crucified
on.
Caravaggio
16th Century
Italian
63

64. Passion
Crucifixion
Jesus is crucified on Calgary (Golgotha)
the burial grounds located outside the
walls of Jerusalem.
Soldiers drew lots for his cloak.
His mother, Mary Magdalene, and some
of the disciples are often seen in
Crucifixion pictures.
Salvadore Dali
Circa 1950
Spanish
64

65. Passion
Deposition
Joseph of Arimathea and
Nicodemus removed Jesus’
body from the cross. The
Virgin Mary, St. John the
Evangelist, and Mary
Magdalene are often seen in
these pictures.
Caravaggio
16th Century
Italian
65

66. Passion
Lamentation
Joseph, Nicodemus, the
Virgin Mary, St. John the
Evangelist, and Mary
Magdalene are often seen
mourning over the dead body.
The Virgin and Mary are seen
in this picture.
Edouard Manet
Circla 1880
French
66

67. Passion
Descent
It is believed that
Jesus descended into
hell (limbo or
purgatory, as is now
believed) for 3 days,
redeeming the souls
there.
Descent into Limbo
Fra Angelico
Circa 1440
67

68. Passion
Resurrection
It is believed that Jesus arose
from the dead after 3 days,
and left the tomb.
The 3 Marys are often seen at
the empty tomb
Resurrection
Dierk Bouts
Circa 1500
Dutch
68

69. Passion
Resurrection
Mathias Grunewald
Circa 1500
German
69

70. Passion
Resurrection
Albrecht Durer
Circa 1500
German
70

71. Passion
Noli Me Tangere
(Do not touch me)
After his resurrection, Jesus
appeared in human form to his
disciples, but asked them not to
touch him.
Northern Renaissance School
Artist Unknown
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72. Passion
Noli Me Tangere
(Do not touch
me)
Relief from Spanish
Cathedral
Date Unknown
72

73. Passion
Supper at Emmaus
When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection
Caravaggio
1606
Italian
73

74. Passion
Supper at
Emmaus
Rembrandt
1628/1629
Dutch
74

75. Passion
Doubting Thomas
Thomas doubted he
was real, so Jesus
allowed Thomas to
feel the wound in his
side, inflicted at the
Cricifixion by a
soldier.
Caravaggio
16th Century
Italian
75

76. Passion
Ascension
Salvador Dali
Circa 1959
Spanish
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