Early Christian Art
The term “Early Christian Art” generally applied to Christian art, primarily architecture, painting, and sculpture from the beginnings of Christianity (3rd century AD) until about 750, particularly the art of Italy and the Western Mediterranean. The art of the Eastern Empire during this time is termed Byzantine art, but there is no hard-and-fast demarcation between the two traditions. In essence, early Christians used the same artistic media for creating their art as the surrounding pagan culture. These media included, sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, and illuminated manuscripts. Early Christians artists also used the Late Classical style and adapted Roman motifs and gave new meanings to what had primarily been pagan symbols.
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