Earliest Depictions of Jesus in Art

UsefulCharts
3 Jun 202216:34
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video explores the evolution of Jesus' depictions in art, starting from the earliest known portrayals in the 3rd century CE found in Dura Europas, Syria, to the more familiar bearded image from the 4th century onwards. It highlights the diversity of these portrayals, from Jesus as a young shepherd to a Roman authority figure, and discusses the cultural and religious influences on these artistic representations.

Takeaways
  • 🎨 The depiction of Jesus has evolved over 2000 years, with the modern portrayal often showing him as a gentle-looking European with long hair and a beard.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Artistic attempts to portray Jesus's 'real' appearance include anthropological reconstructions like Richard Neave's and photorealistic images by Bas Uterwijk.
  • 🏰 Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt houses one of the oldest Byzantine icons, a Christ Pantocrator from around 550 CE, which survived iconoclastic destruction.
  • πŸ” The Christ Pantocrator icon features Jesus with a unique双青 painting, possibly symbolizing his dual nature as both human and divine.
  • 🏟️ An image from the Israeli town of Shivta shows Jesus without a beard and with short, curly hair, indicating early variations in his depiction.
  • 🌿 The Good Shepherd mosaic in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy, also depicts Jesus with curly hair and no beard.
  • ✝️ The Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome has the oldest known image of Jesus on the cross, dating to roughly 425 CE.
  • 🏟️ Catacombs from the 300s CE often contained decorated artwork, revealing early Christian burial practices and artistic expressions.
  • πŸ‘‘ An image from the Catacombs of Commodilla shows a bearded Jesus, resembling modern depictions, with Alpha and Omega symbols.
  • 🎭 Early depictions from the 200s CE portray Jesus as a typical Roman, with short hair, no beard, and wearing a tunic and mantle.
  • πŸ“œ The oldest known depiction of Jesus, from Dura Europas in Syria, around 235 CE, shows him in a typical Roman form, healing a paralyzed man.
Q & A

  • How has the depiction of Jesus evolved over the last 2000 years?

    -Over the last 2000 years, the depiction of Jesus has varied greatly, from the traditional image of a gentle-looking European with long hair and a beard, as seen in the 1940 painting by Warner Sallman, to more recent attempts to portray him as he might have appeared in his time, considering his Middle Eastern origins.

  • What is the significance of the Christ Pantocrator style?

    -The Christ Pantocrator style is a depiction of Jesus that is still frequently used in Eastern Orthodox churches. It typically features a halo with a cross, a New Testament in Jesus's left hand, and his right hand making a specific gesture representing the letters ICXC, which stands for Jesus Christ.

  • Why were some of the oldest images of Jesus destroyed?

    -During the 700s and early 800s, there was a period of controversy within the Byzantine Empire over the use of icons for worship. Those who opposed the use of icons held sway, leading to the destruction of many of the oldest images of Jesus.

  • What are the distinguishing features of the depiction of Jesus from the Israeli town of Shivta?

    -The depiction of Jesus from Shivta is unique in that it shows Jesus without a beard and with short, curly hair instead of the traditional long, straight hair seen in later depictions.

  • What is the significance of the Good Shepherd theme in early Christian art?

    -The Good Shepherd theme, which comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, is a common motif in early Christian art. It represents Jesus as the protector and guide of his flock, symbolizing his care and sacrifice for his followers.

  • Why are catacombs important for understanding early Christian art?

    -Catacombs are important for understanding early Christian art because they served as underground burial places that were often decorated. Due to their underground location and eventual abandonment, many of these decorations have survived longer than those above ground, providing valuable insights into early Christian depictions of Jesus and other religious figures.

  • How does the depiction of Jesus in the Catacombs of Commodilla differ from later images?

    -The depiction of Jesus in the Catacombs of Commodilla, dating to around 375 CE, is one of the oldest surviving images of a bearded Jesus. It is similar to modern depictions, featuring symbols like the Alpha and Omega, but it lacks the halo and other later artistic additions.

  • What was the typical Roman attire of Jesus in early depictions?

    -In early depictions, Jesus is often shown wearing a simple tunic and mantle, which was common attire in Roman society at the time. The mantle, in particular, was a sheet that wrapped around a person and served as a simple coat, and it often had a visible tassel, or Tzitzit, which indicated his Jewishness.

  • How does the third-century depiction of Jesus with a wand reflect the Roman perception of his miracles?

    -In the third century, wands were a symbol of magic in the Roman Empire. The depiction of Jesus with a wand reflects the Roman perception of his healing and resurrection miracles as magical acts, similar to the way magic is understood today.

  • What is the significance of the image from the Catacomb of Callixtus in understanding the evolution of Jesus's depiction?

    -The image from the Catacomb of Callixtus, dating to around 250 CE, shows Jesus as the Good Shepherd, wearing a short tunic and appearing quite young. This depiction is significant as it reflects the evolving artistic representations of Jesus, moving away from the traditional bearded image to a more youthful and contemporary Roman appearance.

  • What is the earliest known depiction of Jesus, and where was it found?

    -The earliest known depiction of Jesus was found in Dura Europas, an ancient city in Syria. The image, dating to around 235 CE, shows Jesus in his typical Roman form: short hair, no beard, simple tunic and mantle, in a scene where he heals a paralyzed man.

  • How does the graffiti of Alexamenos and Jesus provide insight into non-Christian perceptions of early Christianity?

    -The graffiti of Alexamenos and Jesus, which depicts Jesus with the head of a donkey, provides insight into the non-Christian perception of early Christianity. It reflects the ridicule and misunderstanding that early Christians faced, with the crucifixion of Jesus being seen as absurd by non-Christians and a source of mockery.

Outlines
00:00
🎨 Early Depictions of Jesus in Art

This paragraph introduces the topic of the video, which is the exploration of the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ in art. Matt Baker discusses the common modern representation of Jesus as a gentle-looking European and contrasts it with the historical context of Jesus's Middle Eastern origins. The video aims to examine various artistic representations from the first few centuries after Jesus's death, starting with a Byzantine icon from the Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt, dated around 550 CE. The discussion includes the controversy over the use of icons in the Byzantine Empire and the unique features of the Christ Pantocrator style, including the depiction of Jesus's dual nature through two different faces.

05:05
🏺 Variations in Jesus' Representation

This paragraph delves into the variations in how Jesus was depicted in early Christian art. It highlights a Byzantine image from the Israeli town of Shivta, which differs significantly from the previous depiction, showing Jesus without a beard and with short, curly hair. The discussion continues with older images from the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy, and the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, noting the recurring theme of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and the presence or absence of a beard. The paragraph also addresses the use of catacombs in ancient Rome and introduces the oldest surviving image of a bearded Jesus from the Catacombs of Commodilla, dating to around 375 CE.

10:06
🏰 Roman Influence on Jesus' Imagery

This paragraph focuses on the influence of Roman culture on the depiction of Jesus, particularly in the third century. It describes an image from the Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter, where Jesus is portrayed with a short haircut, no beard, and wearing a tunic with stripes over the shoulders, indicative of Roman authority. The paragraph also notes Jesus's attire, including a mantle with a visible tassel, which is likely a depiction of a Tzitzit, a Jewish ritual fringe. The discussion includes the portrayal of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, highlighting the use of a wand, a symbol of magic in the Roman Empire, and the significance of this imagery in the context of Jesus's miracles.

15:07
πŸ“œ Earliest Known Depictions and Graffiti

The final paragraph discusses the oldest known depiction of Jesus, found in Dura Europas, Syria, dating back to around 235 CE. It describes the context of the find, the significance of the location as Rome's eastern-most stronghold, and the preservation of the site as a time capsule. The paragraph details the imagery of Jesus healing a paralyzed man, emphasizing his typical Roman appearance with short hair, no beard, and simple clothing. Additionally, it mentions a bonus image, a piece of graffiti from the second century, which ridicules a Christian named Alexamenos for worshiping a crucified figure with the head of a donkey, reflecting the non-Christian perspective of the time.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Jesus
The central figure of the video, Jesus is the subject of various historical and artistic depictions. The video explores how Jesus has been portrayed differently over time, from a gentle European look to a more historically accurate Middle Eastern appearance. The depictions range from the earliest known images to more modern interpretations, highlighting the evolution of religious art and cultural perceptions.
πŸ’‘Byzantine Icons
Byzantine Icons refer to religious images used for worship in the Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. These icons were a source of controversy, with some Christians supporting their use and others opposing it. The video mentions an icon from the Saint Catherine's Monastery, which survived due to its location in Egypt, controlled by Muslims at the time of iconoclasm.
πŸ’‘Iconoclasm
Iconoclasm was a period during the early medieval times, particularly in the Byzantine Empire, when the use of religious images, or icons, was banned. This controversy led to the destruction of many early images of Jesus and other religious figures. The video explains that the icon from Saint Catherine's Monastery survived this period because it was in Egypt, which was under Muslim control at the time.
πŸ’‘Christ Pantocrator
Christ Pantocrator is an artistic representation of Jesus Christ that emphasizes his role as the ruler and judge of the universe. This style is characterized by specific elements such as a halo with a cross, a New Testament in Jesus's left hand, and his right hand making a gesture representing the letters ICXC, which stands for Jesus Christ. The video highlights this style as one of the earliest surviving depictions of Jesus in the form of an icon from the Saint Catherine's Monastery.
πŸ’‘Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd is a theme in Christian art representing Jesus as the protector and guide of his flock, derived from the Gospel of John, chapter 10. This imagery is used to convey Jesus's loving and sacrificial nature. The video mentions several early depictions of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, including a colorful mosaic in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy.
πŸ’‘Catacombs
Catacombs are underground burial places that were used in ancient Rome, and many early Christian catacombs were decorated with religious imagery. While it is often believed that early Christians used catacombs for secret worship due to persecution, they were primarily used for burial purposes. The video explains that because catacombs were underground and eventually forgotten, many of the decorations survived longer than those above ground.
πŸ’‘Alpha and Omega
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, respectively, and are used in early Christian art and symbolism to represent the belief that Jesus has existed for all eternity, from the beginning to the end of time. This concept is derived from the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, where Jesus is referred to as the 'Alpha and Omega,' signifying his eternal and divine nature.
πŸ’‘Tunic with Stripes
A tunic with stripes was a common garment in Roman society during the time of the Roman Empire, indicating a person of authority. In the context of the video, Jesus is depicted wearing such a tunic in the Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter, emphasizing his role and status within the cultural context of the time.
πŸ’‘Tzitzit
Tzitzit are ritual fringes that observant Jews wear as a religious obligation, attached to the corners of their garments. In the video, Jesus's mantle is depicted with a visible tassel, which is likely a representation of a Tzitzit, indicating his Jewish heritage. This detail shows that Jesus's Jewishness was symbolized not by physical features but by elements of his attire.
πŸ’‘Dura Europas
Dura Europas was an ancient city located on the Euphrates River, near the modern border between Syria and Iraq. It was a thriving city and Rome's eastern-most stronghold during the early third century. The city was abandoned and never rebuilt, preserving many of its structures and artworks, including the oldest church and synagogue ever found. The video highlights that Dura Europas provides us with some of the earliest known depictions of Jesus and other biblical figures.
πŸ’‘Alexamenos Graffiti
The Alexamandos Graffiti is a piece of ancient Roman graffiti that features a caricature of Jesus with the head of a donkey, intended as an insult. It reflects the non-Christian perspective of the time, which found the idea of worshiping a crucified person absurd. The graffiti is significant as it provides insight into the social attitudes towards Christians and the depiction of Jesus in popular culture.
Highlights

The video explores the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ in art, tracing back to the first few centuries following his death.

The iconic image of Jesus as a gentle-looking European with long hair and a beard is a recent portrayal that doesn't reflect his Middle Eastern origins.

Artists like Richard Neave and Bas Uterwijk have attempted to reconstruct what Jesus might have really looked like based on anthropological evidence.

The Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt houses one of the oldest Byzantine icons, dating back to around 550 CE.

The controversy over the use of icons in the Byzantine Empire led to the destruction of many ancient images of Jesus during the 700s and early 800s.

The Christ Pantocrator style, featuring a halo with a cross and specific hand gestures, is a common depiction in Eastern Orthodox churches.

The unique depiction of Jesus in the Saint Catherine's Monastery icon may symbolize his dual nature through the painting of two different faces.

A Byzantine image from the Israeli town of Shivta, dating to around 550 CE, shows Jesus without a beard and with short, curly hair.

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy, contains a mosaic of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, again without a beard and with curly hair.

The Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome has a carving from around 425 CE, showing Jesus on the cross with a beard, indicating variation in his depiction.

Catacombs, such as the Catacombs of Commodilla, often contained decorated art, with one of the oldest surviving images of a bearded Jesus dating to around 375 CE.

Early depictions of Jesus, such as those in the Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter, show him with a Roman appearance, including short hair and no beard.

Jesus's Jewishness in early art is indicated by his wearing a Tzitzit, a ritual fringe, rather than by his physical features.

Third-century depictions, like one in the Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter, show Jesus with a wand, symbolizing magic in the Roman Empire.

The third oldest image of Jesus is a sarcophagus lid with a baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, and the star of Bethlehem.

The second oldest depiction, from the Catacomb of Callixtus around 250 CE, shows Jesus as the Good Shepherd in a short tunic.

The earliest known depiction of Jesus is from Dura Europas, Syria, showing him healing a paralyzed man, dating to around 235 CE.

A piece of graffiti from the third century, showing Jesus with the head of a donkey, reflects the ridicule faced by early Christians.

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