Monday, 14 February 2005
Dr Walter Loebl
BIBLICAL SYMBOLISM IN EARLY CHRISTIAN ART
Artistic portrayals of the Bible were used by the Church to prove that the events in the New Testament were pre-figured in the Old - so called typology - and to educate those who had no access to the written text. The Second Commandment prohibited Jews from contributing to early Biblical art.
In this illustrated, wide-ranging lecture, Dr Loebl will discuss many examples of early Christian art such as the catacomb paintings, sculpted sarcophagi, the development of painted icons and ivory carvings as well as the reliefs on the wall of Akht'amar Church on Lake Van. He will describe how typological images include many Biblical events and personalities, starting with the Fall. The story of Noah pre-figured many later Christian elements and attempted to explain the geology of the Flood and the discovery of ancient fossils. Episodes in the life of Abraham were used, including his separation from Lot, the 'Communion' of Melchitzdek, the Annunciation of Isaac and Isaac's Binding as were events from the lives of other Patriarchs and Israelites. Finally, early depictions of the Baptism of Jesus contain some theological and art historical problems.
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