From idols to icons : the emergence of Christian devotional images in Late Antiquity.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jensen, Robin Margaret, 1952-

Series:

Christianity in Late Antiquity

Christianity in Late Antiquity ; v.12

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Art, Early Christian.

Christian art and symbolism--Medieval, 500-1500.

Christian art and symbolism.

Church history--Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600.

Church history.

Image of God.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (270 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Emergence of Christian devotional images in Late Antiquity

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, 2022.

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Summary:

Even the briefest glance at an art museum's holdings or an introductory history textbook demonstrates the profound influence of Christian images and art. From Idols to Icons tells the fascinating history of the dramatic shift in Christian attitudes toward sacred images from the third through the early seventh century. From attacks on the cult images of polytheism to the emergence of Christian narrative iconography to the appearance of portrait-type representations of holy figures, this book examines the primary theological critiques and defenses of holy images in light of the surviving material evidence for early Christian visual art. Against the previous assumption that fourth- and fifth-century Christians simply forgot or ignored their predecessors' censure and reverted to more alluring pagan practices, Robin M. Jensen contends that each stage of this profound change was uniquely Christian. Through a careful consideration of the cults of saints' remains, devotional portraits, and pilgrimages to sacred sites, Jensen shows how the Christian devotion to holy images came to be rooted in their evolving conviction that the divine was accessible in and through visible objects.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Preface

1. Early Christian Condemnation of Idols

2. Aniconism: In Defense of the Invisible God

3. Epiphanies: Encountering the Visible God

4. Early Christian Pictorial Art: From Sacred Narratives to Holy Portraits

5. Holy Portraits: Controversies and Commendation

6. The True Likeness

7. Miraculous and Mediating Portraits

8. Materiality, Visuality, and Spiritual Insight

Epilogue: The Idols’ Last Stand

List of Abbreviations

Notes

Bibliography

General Index

Index of Sources

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9780520975736

0520975731

OCLC:

1334106376