History Of Painting And Mosaic Theology Religion Essay Example

and the figures representing the tribes have their hands raised in praise to one God, reflecting the shift from multiple Greek and Roman gods to monotheism during a time of turmoil.

Early Christian art found in Christian catacombs includes the mosaic of the Good Shepherd (c.425-450 CE), which is believed to be the first representation of Jesus. After Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, artistic portrayals of Jesus became more expressive, depicting him as a ruler. This can be seen through his purple attire, stone throne, and flock of sheep that he leads as a shepherd. Furthermore, Jesus is now shown not only as a ruler but also as a caregiver and empathizer. His aura resembles the golden sun revered by Egyptians for their god Ra, highlighting his power.

In "Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels," a tempera picture, complex landscapes and patterns are reintroduced through the use of shadow.This artwork, which dates back to the Early Byzantine Art in the second half of the sixth century, depicts Mary as the Mother of Jesus and emphasizes the importance of wisdom. The figures in the artwork are positioned frontally and appear stiff, with Mary looking to the side while the saints and angels gaze straight ahead. Unlike Greek and Roman art, these figures have shapeless bodies that seem to hover above the ground. Each figure has an aura, especially Mary whose larger and more prominent aura signifies her holiness. This artwork replaces multiple gods and realistic images with abstract figures devoted to praising Christianity's one true God. This shift reflects a cultural change towards monotheistic Christianity and worshiping a singular God. Instead of creating images that celebrate

man's godlike authority, there is a focus on unity as nations embrace monotheism and worship one distinct God separate from mankind.

Moving on to sculpture, during prehistoric times when survival depended on hunting animals that roamed across vast lands, human mobility was essential. The harsh environment presented significant challenges for survival. It is not surprising then that early sculptures primarily depicted endurance. One notable example is the Woman from Willendorf sculpture made of limestone with reddish-brown pigment dating back to around 24,000 BCE.The sculpture represents a limbless adult woman and holds great significance for prehistoric humans. It symbolizes the importance of survival, health, and fertility in humanity's existence. The sculpture's small size suggests it was easily transportable as people hunted animals and moved from place to place. It is believed that sculptures like the Woman from Willendorf may have been used as talismans to assist with childbirth and ensure healthy babies were born. Survival was crucial during this time, which explains why many sculptures depicted females.

In contrast, the Apis Bull, dating back to 400-100 BCE in ancient Egypt, made of serpentinite, illustrates how much mankind had progressed since prehistoric times. Humans had transitioned from nomadic living to establishing permanent cities where they could focus on intellectual development, studying, and teaching. These advanced civilizations created sophisticated cities and intricate religions. Artistic representations during this period showcased highly idealized and symmetrical gods as well as god-like men like the royal Pharaohs who could even assume animal forms.

The Apis Bull serves as an important example of how bulls became sacred animals in Egypt. Although it is now broken, this sculpture once featured a sun disc that represented their connection

to Ra, the Sun God whom Egyptians feared deeply.The sculpture of the Apis Bull depicts a calm and serene face, showcasing its strong horns, shoulders, and body. It emphasizes order and eternity through abstract, chiseled lines on its back and forehead. The bull's tail resembles a Pharaoh's flail, symbolizing its sacred status. With legs firmly embedded in the rock block it is carved from, the bull appears even more solid. In contrast, the Incense Burner (China - Han Dynasty) represents a mystical religion and philosophy. Made of bronze with inlaid gold, it also incorporates concepts of infinity, eternity, and immortality. This burner showcases a sculpture of the Island of the Immortals which signifies Taoism: The Way - a belief that man and nature can coexist harmoniously. It features an abstract representation of a towering mountain emerging from the sea to evoke peace and motion as one walks The Way towards spiritual enlightenment.The text mentions incense and delicately-carved wood enhancing this experience while describing life's mystical aspects during a journey up the mountain towards celestial spheresThe text discusses the contrast between permanency and uncertainty in life's mysteries along a mystical path. It then moves on to describe the Assyrian empire and its portrayal of power, strength, and victory in ancient Near East art. The relief sculpture called "Toasting Protective Spirit," which was once displayed in King Ashurnasirpal II's castle alongside similar reliefs showcasing his might, is mentioned. The gypsum sculpture includes abstract elements such as a profiled eye, intricate wings, elaborate hair, a royal beard, and muscular calves. Standing over 90 inches tall, the male monarch depicted exhibits exceptional artistic skill representing his power and strength.

Adorned with lavish jewelry, he stands on a landline while facing us with a partially distorted body as a composite figure. Cuneiform writings on the relief further emphasize the king's military triumphs and solidify his dominance as ruler of the vast Assyrian empire. On another note, originating from ancient Egypt around 2950 BCE is the impressive double-sided relief known as the Palette of Narmer carved into green schist. This artwork features various figures including the sacred bull of Egyptians. The intertwined necks of two lions form a depression that could have been used for grinding makeup. Narmer is depicted engaging in combat with an equally formidable adversary of equal size.
Narmer's ability to conquer a formidable adversary is proof of his own strength, with the assistance of the falcon representing Horus. The ancient Egyptians believed that their pharaohs received divine inspiration and guidance from the gods. Narmer is depicted as significantly larger than other figures on the palette, following along the register lines. United with the white crown of Upper Egypt, triumphing over an equally sized enemy, and under Horus' guidance, ancient Egyptians demonstrate the significance of god-like rulers. Hieroglyphics immortalize Narmer's victories in line with their devotion to permanence and timeless authority.
The high relief sculpture in ruddy sandstone portrays Buddha and Attendants, illustrating Buddhism's belief in impermanence and Buddha's humble nature. Unlike previous civilizations focused on dominance and control, Buddhism emphasizes alleviating others' suffering and achieving Enlightenment. While Buddha appears greater than his attendants in the image, it symbolizes enlightenment rather than power. Intricate carvings of the seven chakras adorn him while his extended hand conveys a message of "Fear not" instead of intimidation or

greeting. Although he has transformed, remnants of his former life within royalty can still be observed through adorned gems and crown. Despite resembling robes worn by ancient Greco-Roman royalty, Buddha's robe signifies that he is a simple monk dedicated to peaceability.The Buddha image has a mysterious aura that resembles the sun, which is a symbol found in many ancient civilizations. Moving on to Part IV - Architecture, Stonehenge is a famous architectural marvel. It was built during the pre-historic period between 3,000-1,500 BCE using bluestone and gray sandstone. Stonehenge is not just an early megalithic memorial but also the first architectural structure. As the environment improved after the ice age, humans transitioned from nomadic life to settling in villages and began creating temporary structures. Stonehenge was meticulously crafted from large pieces of Welsh bluestone known for their healing properties in prehistoric times. The transportation and assembly of these massive bluestone blocks from afar are still considered remarkable achievements. The structure itself is circular with concentric circles radiating from a central altar stone. Additional circles made from gray sandstone were added later. Stonehenge showcases the ingenuity of the first-ever architectural construction system devised. While some scholars previously suggested it may have been an observatory, most now agree that it served as an ancient ritualistic graveyard or burial site.
Stonehenge incorporated a groundbreaking element in its design by utilizing cement. The Romans, known for their advancements in cement construction, created the Pantheon, a magnificent dome made of marble. Within this structure, an eye-shaped opening called the Eye of Jupiter served as a source of light and symbolized access to the divine realm. It is believed that this feature

also provided an illusionary effect, allowing individuals to transcend their everyday lives and reach the heavens. The Pantheon's dome and eye created an extraordinary spectacle for the people of the Roman Empire. Similarly, in Buddhist India, the Great Stupa was constructed using brick and stone and featured a similar architectural aspect. This impressive dome represented the celestial realms and had a central point that served as a focal point for contemplation, enlightenment, meditation, and ascending towards cosmic heights. The concentric system employed in both Stonehenge and the Great Stupa held great significance as it represented the outer universe with gates and circles leading towards the center.The Buddhists introduced teachings and a way of life centered on reincarnation and an-iconic images, which contrasted with the self-centered beliefs of the Greco-Roman era. In both past and present, we find similarities and differences as we witness mankind's remarkable transformations and the harmonious relationship between art and philosophy. These examples merely touch upon the vast array of wonders created by humans, spanning from survival strategies to political influence, education, intellectual pursuits, and the development of spiritual and religious systems.