7. Summarize the text in English. Unit 24 text

Early Christians depict Christ as a Good Shepherd

By the later Middle Ages, the Christian Church was the greatest patron of Western art. Yet Christian painting and sculpture prior to this period reflect the humble status of Christian art.

During the early years of its existence, Christian art was discreet in part because followers of Christ lived under the shadow of persecution. Martyrdom was commonplace under Roman rule, and this situation did not improve until 313 when Constantine granted full religious freedom to Christians throughout the Roman Empire.

Early Christian art developed in the catacombs, subterranean burial galleries located outside Rome. The images were very simple, often little more than symbols — a fish, a dove, an anchor, a vine, a lamb, the sign of the Cross. These stemmed from passages in the Bible. The anchor, for instance, came to represent the Christian promise of salvation: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews VI: 19). The vine symbol derives from Christ's comment: "I am the true vine" (John XV: 1).

The modest scale of early Christian art reflected the way the religion developed. Services were held in secret, inside private houses, using portable altars. Prior to the reign of Constantine from 313, those linked to the religion would find their career ambitions and social standing threatened. As a result, most Christians had neither the finances nor the incentive to commission artworks. Also, since there were no public places of worship, art could not be displayed.

The visual image of Christ was slow to evolve. In common with the artists of several other religions, Christians were initially wary of depicting God in human form; for fear that this might be interpreted as idolatry. In addition, there was a strong reluctance to portray the Crucifixion, the central episode of the faith, since there was such a stigma attached to this type of execution. It was

6 The Good Shepherd

Artist unknown, c.300

Early Christian

reserved for slaves and non-Romans. The identification of Christ as the Good Shepherd marked a significant first stage in depicting the messiah. The Christian adoption of a man carrying an animal on his shoulders is in stark contrast to its appearance in Mesopotamian and Hittite art, in which the animal is intended for sacrifice. This statue of the Good Shepherd is based on a classical god—Hermes, the protector of flocks, who carried a ram on his shoulders. Yet, unlike the idealized statues of classical deities, this figure portrays Christ in a plain, naturalistic manner, as a beardless youth, and conveys Christ's role as the shepherd of his flock rather than glorifying him as a god.

The Good Shepherd illustrates the parable of the lost sheep (the repentant sinner) brought back into the fold. "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing" (Luke XV: 5). At the same time, sheep were closely associated with the themes of sacrifice and redemption. Christ himself was described as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). At this time it also symbolized Christ's role as "psychopompus" (the soul's guide in the afterlife), although this task was soon transferred to the archangel Michael. The Good Shepherd proved a popular image, and is found not only in sculptures, but also in paintings, mosaics, and carvings on sarcophagi.

TASKS.