Christian Iconography
A Study of Its Origins
Andre Grabar(Author)
Princeton University Press
Published on 21. January 1969
Book
Hardback
400 pages
978-0-691-09716-9 (ISBN)
Description
An illuminating look at the iconography of the early church and its important place in the history of Christian art
Christian Iconography examines how the earliest Christian images were created and sheds light on the role they played alongside other forms of Christian piety in their day. Andre Grabar looks at the most characteristic examples of paleo-Christian iconography, dwelling on their nature, form, and content. He explores the limits of originality in such art, its debt to figurative art, and the cultural climate in the Roman Empire more broadly, drawing a distinction between expressive images-that is, genuine works of art-and informative ones. Enriching our understanding of early Christian art, this classic book shows how early Christian iconography assimilated contemporary imagery. It establishes the importance of imperial iconography in the development of Christian portraits and discusses dogmas expressed in single and juxtaposed images.
Christian Iconography examines how the earliest Christian images were created and sheds light on the role they played alongside other forms of Christian piety in their day. Andre Grabar looks at the most characteristic examples of paleo-Christian iconography, dwelling on their nature, form, and content. He explores the limits of originality in such art, its debt to figurative art, and the cultural climate in the Roman Empire more broadly, drawing a distinction between expressive images-that is, genuine works of art-and informative ones. Enriching our understanding of early Christian art, this classic book shows how early Christian iconography assimilated contemporary imagery. It establishes the importance of imperial iconography in the development of Christian portraits and discusses dogmas expressed in single and juxtaposed images.
Reviews / Votes
"A major contribution to the history of Christianity and Europe." * Choice * "Grabar considers his material with a wisdom and good sense all his own."---John Beckwith, Apollo "Packed with the observant scholarship for which the author has long been famous."---Cornelius C. Vermeule III, Classical WorldMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
5 color + 341 b/w illus.
ISBN-13
978-0-691-09716-9 (9780691097169)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2023
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
€48.99
Available for download
Person
Andre Grabar (1896-1990) was an internationally renowned historian of Byzantine and medieval art and a central figure at Dumbarton Oaks, a research institute of Harvard University in Washington, DC. His many books include Byzantine and Early Medieval Painting and Romanesque Painting from the Eleventh to the Thirteenth Century.