Art in many forms has been part of the church from a very early period. At first meetings were in the houses of members, but once the individual churches had their own dedicated buildings, what Lowrie calls the House of the church, they wanted to decorate them as described by Walter Lowrie in his 1947 book. (page105) Even tombs were decorated - Lowrie mentions the Roman catacombs ( page 19) which he describes as the first chapter in a long story. He mentions Biblical illustrations and also symbols the anchor for instance was a symbol of hope, a ship, the symbol of the church as an ark etc. Such works helped people to focus on the truths of their faith. They would have been subjects for discussion, the means perhaps of explaining difficult concepts to those for whom Christianity was a new experience.
Over time churches became full of such pictures, wall paintings sculpture, and symbolic carvings, stained glass windows and symbolic architectural features such as a cruciform floor plan etc. The arch of S. Maria Maggiore in Rome for instance depicts scenes from the infancy of Christ. This was carried out under the orders of Pope Sixtus III ,who used it to celebrate the Council of Ephesus in 361 C.E. Such scenes are used at the entrance of the church for partly the same reason that a font is usually near the door. Both represent the beginnings of the journey of faith. The Ephesian Council had affirmed the human and the divine in Christ, united in His unique person. From this had developed the custom of addressing Mary as Mother of God. Virgins, usually accompanied by an infant Christ, proliferated in churches from this period onwards. Also, at a time when literacy levels were relatively low, and very few had access to Bibles, even if they could read, the pictures, wall paintings, statues and even the architecture in a church served as books for the people. They could look at pictures of the parables, or perhaps the stages of the cross, and learn something that would help them to develop and sustain their faith. Perhaps the priests would have used them as visual aids. Christian art was and is produced in an attempt to illustrate, to supplement and to portray in a visivble tangible form the tenets of Christian faith, whether this be by the use of ancient Byzantine iconography, of a modern day representation of an angel such as that of St Michael on the outside of Coventry Cathedral in England. Most Christian groups throughout history use or have used art to some extent, although some groups have had strong objections to such religious imagery, fearing perhaps a slip into idoloatory.
There have however been major periods within Christianity history when HYPERLINK httpen.wikipedia.orgwikiIconoclasm o Iconoclasm iconoclasm took over, as when the Puritans ruled in England and much early art was destroyed, as they believed it could lead to idolatry. This Puritanism is still reflected to a greater or lesser degree in the simple and relatively undecorated churches belonging to the various Protestant nominations such as the Baptist churches of America, but even there symbolism and the idea of giving God the best, may be celebrated in the work of many modern day artists.
II Inspiration in Christian Art
John Ruskin, the 19th century English art critic said that Art is the impurer for not being in the service of Christianity. The same article states that -
There is a higher mission for art than for mans material comfort or even keenest mental pleasure. It has, and should always have an ultimate moral, if not religious purpose.
A modern day Christian artist, painter Richard Hubbard, describes his own work as Oil paintings inspired by spiritual thinking in a realistic style from the imagination. Another such artist Danny Hahlbohm describes his works as Spreading the Word of God through Art.He goes on to say -
I am an artist. God has endowed me with this particular skill and I have spent
my entire life developing that skill to perfection all for the glory of the Lord, and rightly so.
One of the functions of art is to affect the emotions. In the case of Christian art the aim is to elevate those emotions. Christianity of course takes its name from Christ. He is its center, the ultimate cause. This means that depictions of him are often to be found in churches, and frequently in a central place.
In the1960s when the new Anglican Coventry Cathedral in Warwickshire was being considered, Graham Sutherland was selected by architect Basil Spence to design a tapestry, rather than the more usual painting or carving. This would depicted Christ and was to be placed behind the high alter. He worked to criteria provided by the cathedral. The tapestry was to be capable of being understood by ordinary people. In age when abstract work was dominant, this was avoided. Four themes were to be used.
The glory of God the Father in light
Christ depicted in the glory of the father. He could be sitting or standing and the artist could choose whether he was in the act of blessing, of helping, of ruling , of giving out the sacraments , or of simply drawing people to himself.
The Holy Spirit and the church. These could be represented symbolically
Finally heaven is represented by the presence of angels
Although St Michaels is an Anglican foundation, Sutherland was a convert to Catholicism. He wanted therefore to create something that fell in with church tradition His new found faith was a leading influence and inspiration, which was combined with his unique talents to produce an inspiring piece of work. His picture shows the suffering of Christ, and the Cathedral Schools Resources Team notes, in their life of Graham Sutherland, that in this he differed from other artists of the time. But this was quite soon after the end of wartime hostilities the earlier church had been destroyed by the German blitz. He wanted to depict the suffering of the church in war in his depiction of Christ, but some considered his work to be too stark.
In other works, such as that at Northampton, in the Victorian St Matthews Church, he clearly shows the influence of photographs he had seen of concentration camps with their tortured bodies.
Graham Sutherland, Crucifixion 1946,
A preparatory painting for the work in Northampton, from The Tate Collection
Artists, architect and the many craftspeople who work as Christian artists are in most cases paid for their work. Often they are commissioned by others, yet at the same time their own faith is portrayed in their work. Shuna George for instance says she uses color and texture to explore her feelings and in some cases her own spiritual journey. Another artist on the same site describes himself as expressing The Father heart of God. Cornelius Momsa, an expressionist artist, although he uses almost abstract images, has as his aim - Modern Christian fine art work that aims to visualize the deeper truth of Christianity.
So although in most cases Christian art can be described as public art, it is , in the case of the artists involved, an expression of a very individual faith.
III Central Themes
The themes and topics covered in Christian art, both in the past and into more modern times, are very varied. There may be windows depicting Old Testament events such as the Garden of Eden or Abraham and Isaac. Representations of the Ten Commandments are common, either just the words, or a picture of Moses holding them aloft. There will be New Testament stories such as the Prodigal Son or the Lost Sheep. There may be depictions or symbols of the Saint to whom the church is dedicated St James the Great with scallop shells and pilgrims staff, St Jude with a ship, St Matthew with his book and so on. In Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or high Anglican and Episcopalian churches statues or other portrayals of Mary are important, especially in a Lady Chapel. Similar images in various materials and genres of the Madonna and child, or simply the Virgin alone, date back
to the early centuries church , as in this 4th century depiction from Rome. There are famous Madonnas in many European churches and cathedrals to which people express devotion, believing that she has a special place in heaven. The dominant theme will however be the life of Christ, whether on earth or in heaven, and in particular his passion, as in this 1954 work depicting the Crucifixion by Salvador Dali. HYPERLINK httpwww.leninimports.comdalicross1.html INCLUDEPICTURE httpwww.leninimports.comdaligalltn1.gif MERGEFORMATINET (Corpus Hypercubus, Manipulation One). Many churches, however minimalistic their style, will have the Stations of the Cross depicted in some way, and even the plainest church will have a cross in some form usually outside to mark it as a holy place, but also, even if it only meets in a borrowed community center and everything has to be cleared away at the end of worship - even there there will be a cross a plain one in the case of Protestant churches, and usually a crucifix with Christ in his agony if it is a Roman Catholic meeting place. The reason why this one element is consistently present is of course its centrality to the Christian faith. As Paul said in his letter to the Galatians if salvation could have been obtained in any other way then Christ died for no good reason-
I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. I do
not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.
IV The Effect of Christianity upon Architecture
Richard Taylor, in his 2003 book, speaks of the significance of church layout. Often, in Western churches, they are laid out in cross form in order to remind worshippers of how Christ suffered as their Savior. Just as the ancient temple of Jerusalem was laid out in increasing layers of holiness and this too is often reflected in church architecture - from entrance to high alter. A cross on the spire or roof marks out the building as a holy place. There is an almost universal preference for a church to be orientated so that worshippers face east. This pre-dates Christianity.
Because Christ is so central to the faith of the church often he is depicted at a church entrance. Jesus as the Lamb of God, crucified or as reigning in glory are all popular choices
Gargoyles were medieval drains , ensuring that the rain water fell as far away from the church walls as possible. They are often ugly, hideous even. They were originally intended to be so, because they were intended to scare away the devil. People may no longer think in quite that way, but gargoyles may still be present on relatively modern churches, as on the Washington National Cathedral, as drain spouts are still necessary. The fact that they are still often ugly shows how tradition is still an important influence as is the neo-Gothic architecture in general of this large Episcopal church, completed as late as 1990 .
Why go with such a traditional design Perhaps it is because this is what people expected, although most American churches are not in the Gothic style. Perhaps because in such a traditional building America can find the long architectural history of the Old World. Could it possibly be that in such a traditional design it is easier to incorporate symbolism and art that might look a little awkward in a more modern building. In Liverpool England there are two cathedrals within yards of each other. The Anglican cathedral, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott is described as having a tower that stands over the city as a symbol of faith. Dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin it is a place of superlatives - the largest cathedral in the United Kingdom, the fifth largest in the world. Edward Preston took 30 years to produce a series of sculptures as well as other pieces for the museum. This was the longest commission of his life. Yet the cathedral web site, although it can give a you all the dimensions you want, is more concerned about what goes on there because a church is never just a building. This one, completed in 1978, is referred to as the great space .It is a place where the church, the people of God, gather for worship and exist as a spiritual community. Its mission is To proclaim that Jesus Christ is alive and that His Gospel is true and relevant to todays world. The work of the hundreds of craftsmen and artists who have worked on this huge building during the last hundred years or so are part of that mission.
The Roman Catholic Liverpool Cathedral of Christ the King, only yards away, was built in a very different modernist style. It had however been a long time coming. The new diocese had been formulated in 1850, but it took much planning and time before the present building actually began. The architectural design was only accepted in 1960, but by 1967 the new cathedral, which was said to have been built in order to the new spirit of the liturgy, was being consecrated The building itself is topped by a crown symbolizing the kingship of Jesus, but also of course reminiscent of his crown of thorns so the whole building represents Christ, his sacrificial death and his ultimate rule. Even in such a modernist building style there is room for other symbolism the three steps to the central alter with its cross are symbolic of faith, hope and love as described by Richard Taylor, ( page 45) The cathedral has an art studio where such things as hangings, banners and vestments are made not just for the cathedral, but for the parish churches and other commissions. So Christian art from this place spreads into and influences the wider community.
V Conclusion
Artists have always looked for inspiration. For Christian artists throughout history their faith offered them the spark of divine inspiration which they were able to translate into canvases and buildings and other type of religious art.. These in turn inspired worshippers and were important in upholding and explaining that faith. Whether it be a simple drawing from the ancient catacombs, a great work by a Renaissance artist such as in the case of Da Vincis Madonna and child with St Anne and the young Saint John ,or a more modern piece in a modernist church, these are all much more than works of art.
Picasso has been quoted as saying, Religious art ... is an absurdity. How can you paint religious art one day and another kind the next What he probably meant was that if your faith was real then this would permeate everything you did including the art you produced whether a painting of the Last Supper for a convent dining room, or a picture of flowers to cheer up a hospital ward. The web site Art Galleries, Modern Christian Art features art that perhaps is not covering traditional subjects no crucifixion, or nativity scenes. One artist claims his work is prophetic, others are more concerned with the beauty of creation. Some would describe their work as influenced by New Age ideas - but taking a closer look - there is a dove symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit, there is the Old Testament story of Jacob and the Ladder leading to heaven. St John the Evangelist is depicted on Patmos, with the light of heaven shining down upon him. These are modern people with modern ideas and they use modern day materials, as well as traditional ones, but the faith they hold is not so different from that of the people who painted that early depiction of the Sacred Meal in the catacombs of Rome. They want to express their faith and to use their skills for the greater glory of God and for the benefit of the church, his people. Sometimes they work to a commission, as when a new church requires the skills of an artist and give him guidelines to follow. All artists must live and therefore require an income after all, but ultimately it is his personal faith and skill, what Danny Hahlbohm describes as not just a days work or hours but we literally put ourselves, our souls into the work or creation we perform.. These are all brought together in the art produced. The result is that the artist benefits, God is gloried and the church, both the building and the people who are its members the living church, has a means of inspiration, of getting closer to God.
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