The Art of Empire: Christian Art in Its Imperial Context

In recent years, art historians such as Johannes Deckers (Picturing the Bible, 2009) have argued for a significant transition in fourth- and fifth-century images of Jesus following the conversion of Constantine. Broadly speaking, they perceive the image of a peaceful, benevolent shepherd transformed into a powerful, enthroned Jesus, mimicking and mirroring the dominance and authority of the emperor. The powers of church and state are thus conveniently synthesized in such a potent image. This deeply rooted position assumes that ante-pacem images of Jesus were uniformly humble while post-Constantinian images exuded the grandeur of power and glory.

The Art of Empire contends that the art and imagery of Late Antiquity merits a more nuanced understanding of the context of the imperial period before and after Constantine. The chapters in this collection each treat an aspect of the relationship between early Christian art and the rituals, practices, or imagery of the empire, and offer a new and fresh perspective on the development of Christian art in its imperial background.

Author: Robin Margaret Jensen
Publisher: Fortress Press
Published: 10/01/2015
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781451487664

About the Author
Jensen, Robin Margaret: -

Robin Margaret Jensen is Luce Chancellor's Professor of the History of Christian Worship and Art at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Her previous works include Understanding Early Christian Art (2000) and The Substance of Things Seen (2004).

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