poliphilo: (Default)
poliphilo ([personal profile] poliphilo) wrote2012-11-28 09:11 am

Januszczak On The Dark Ages

Some points from Waldemar Januszczak's programme about Early Christian art:

The art of the Dark Ages isn't dark. Those Byzantine basilicas with their mosaics must be among the sunniest buildings anyone erected before the invention of plate glass.

Early Christian art pictured Jesus as Apollo. He was clean shaven, curly-haired, androgynous.  When he eventually grew a beard (in the 4th century) it wasn't because the artists were trying to picture him as a 1st century rabbi but because they were picturing him as Zeus. At the same time his feminine side got subcontracted to the Virgin Mary.

Early Christian art has no place for the crucifixion. Instead it celebrates Jesus's healing miracles. Early Christianity was a religion of liberation. 

Thanks!

[identity profile] faunhaert.livejournal.com 2012-11-28 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
very good points!

tried to get ti to play
but it won't come over the water
probably need to find bbc america?

I did post it to my face book maybe some one will
get it to play

girl friend woke up in a catholic hospital
" who put god on a stick!" she asked before the anesthetic wore off

Re: Thanks!

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2012-11-28 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, BBC America could be the answer.

[identity profile] wyrmwwd.livejournal.com 2012-11-28 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Absolutely.