Course Introduction
This Catholic Art History Course explores the art produced by the Catholic Church throughout history. It covers different periods of Catholic art and its symbolism and iconography.
Before talking about the development of Christian art, it seems natural to say something about the question of where its inspiration came from. It would not be possible here to adequately treat all the various theories that have been propounded, but the essentials of the controversy may be given in a few words. Afterward there will be some mention of the principal works which Christian antiquity has left to us, and a setting forth of the influence of the Catholic Church in stimulating and directing that artistic spirit. For so many centuries, it alone was destined to keep alive.
In this course, we will cover the following topics:
- Origin of Christian Art
- Mosaics and other early Christian arts
- Ecclesiastical art in the Middle Ages
- Period of the Renaissance
- Post-Renaissance Period
