<strong>Understanding Early Christian Art</strong> offers an insightful erudite and lavishlyillustrated analysis of the meaning and message of early Christianit... » 

Understanding Early Christian Art offers an insightful erudite and lavishlyillustrated analysis of the meaning and message of early Christianity asrevealed in the texts and images of its first practitioners. Robin MargaretJensen examines the motifs and subjects of early Christian art integratingthem with the symbols and themes of Christian literature and liturgy. Beginningwith an analysis of the nonnarrative subjects of the early artthe GoodShepherd the praying figure fish and birdsJensen goes on to explore thenarrative images found in Roman catacomb painting sarcophagus reliefsculpture early mosaics ivories and manuscript illumination. Finally thebook examines iconographic themes such as Jonah Daniel Abraham offeringIsaac and Adam and Eve. «