Identifier: monumentsofearly00lowr (find matches)
Title: Monuments of the early church
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Lowrie, Walter, 1868-1959
Subjects: Christian antiquities Christian art and symbolism Church architecture Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
Publisher: New York, The Macmillan Company London, MacMillan & Co.
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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both martyrdom and deliverance. Christstriumphal entry into Jerusalem on the way to his Passion isevidently compared with his glory in the Jerusalem which isabove. Job is often represented by the Fathers as a type ofChrist for his suffering and patience. Adam and Eve typifythe fall which required redemption. It may be that it is asthe just man Job is here represented, in contrast to the firstparents who brought sin into the world. Very common are the sarcophagi upon which Christ is rep-resented enthroned between the Apostles, although, as it hasbeen said, this theme belongs especially to the art of the basili-cas. Sometimes all twelve of the Apostles appear, either in aclose row, or divided by niches. Sometimes from under thefeet of Christ there gush the four streams of paradise. It remains only to remark the peculiarities of the fifth cen- 208 nCTOlUAL AliT turv sarc()))hagi of Kaveniia (Figs. 103, 104). They are dis-tiiiguislioil by their rounded lids, which are frequently decorated
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Fio. K ^arcul-liii^^us of Tlu-ml< .). ..f K. Filth century. by crosses or monograms. It may also be observed that theyare more frequently decorated at the ends than are the Komansarcophagi. The aim in general is more expressly decorative,and they are consequently never overcrowded with figures.The principle of symmetry comes out here more strongly thanever, both in the strictly ornamental and in the figured de-signs. The subjects which belong to the early cycle of thecatacombs never appear; in their stead are either historicalsul)jects or the symbolical themes of tlie basilicas. Figure104 repeats a theme which is common for the apse, or for theapsidal arch. It represents again Christ enthroned betweenthe Apostles, but with a difference which belongs to the fifthcentury. S. Peter approaches with his key and cross, and S.Paul on the right hand receives from Christ a roll whichsym))olizes his commission as Apostle, or, it may be, hisreception of the new Law. It is well known that in t

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