Discuss the topic of how religion influenced art and architecture in the ancient world and during the Christian era, it is necessary to point out that all civilizations beginning from the primitive ones, through the ancient and mediaeval to the modem ones, developed and produced some special religious traditions and values which determined their cultures. In order to exalt their civilizations and cultures, they created art and architecture, in which they expressed their identity, language, depicted social customs, philosophy, world – views, codes of behavior and laws.
It is significant that the religious aspect played a great role in all those spheres of life; it is possible to say that religion not only influenced them, but determined their origins and styles. Following this, it would be relevant to suggest regarding the influence and the impact of religion on the art and architecture of the different periods of the ancient world and during the Christian era.
The credible scholar in the sphere of Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture, Krautheimer, stated: “Every civilization’s religion too, in the course of its history contributes something to the world in general and in particular to the world of art and architecture … [religious beliefs, ideas and ideals are sometimes] … given visual expression and sometimes form the subject matter of art and architecture” (Krautheimer, 2005, p. 67). Therefore, one may firmly assert that a, so called sense art and sense and architecture serve as certain mirrors which reflect the religion of civilization.
For example, if regard the art and architecture of the Buddhism period, then it is possible to see that the religious themes determined it as the reflection of human suffering from the one side, and as reflection of the monumental and rich legacy from the other side, which can be viewed nowadays in the homeland of Buddhism – India and in the eastern part of the world. The special kind of Indian art – the aniconic images, containing of the Buddha’s religious message to mankind became very popular in this country after the death of this religious leader.
This man was regarded as the embodiment of all perfect personal qualities and highs, and this is why, “… the earliest artistic tributes to the Buddha Gotama are abstract symbols indicative of major events and achievements in his last life and in some cases his previous lives …” (Dhamma, 2005, p. 6). The religious (Buddhism) influence on the early aniconic representations of can be seen on the examples of: the footprints of Buddha created at some places often visited by him; the depiction of his symbols and religious believes: the Bodhi – tree, the Lotus Flower, the Wheel, a ‘riderless’ horse, an empty throne.
Speaking about the role and the influence of religion on the Christian era’s (or also called Common or Current era) art and architecture, it is important to point out that the Christian iconography art was very popular and widespread at that period of time. Basically the religious motifs expressed in the Rome, Byzantine and others European territories’ art and architecture symbolize the main values of the religion of that time: the hope of resurrection and immortality of soul.
Those art works, dating after the death of Jesus (since 4th century AD), were exhibiting main Christian themes and were intended to support the Christian worship which was created soon after then Jesus’ death, like the aniconic images of Buddha after his death. Therefore, one may firmly assert that the religious themes not only influence the development of the art and architecture courses, but also profoundly define them.
Works Cited
Dhamma, R. The Contribution of Buddhism to the World of Art and Architecture. Coplumbia: Columbia University Press, 2005.
Krautheimer, R. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture. N.Y.: Double Apple, 2005.