Representation of God in Different Periods, Essay Example

The portrayal of God or gods through art can be seen in all types of arts from different time periods, as well as different cultures. Although the portrayal of a God or god is not the same figure, the artists still use the same types of techniques and ideas. In this paper, four different periods are described and compared in regard to how God/gods are represented in the art work. The periods that will be investigated are the Egyptians, Greeks, Early Christian and Byzantine. In addition, a specific piece of art has been chosen in order to represent the comparison.

The Egyptian example used for this paper is Khafre-Giza, valley temple of Khafre, from the Fourth Dynasty, which dates back between 2520-2494 BCE. The piece is located at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and is made of diorite-gabbo gneiss. The sculpture was created in the Fourth Dynasty which is referred to as the golden age because it was a period of peace and success. This was also the period of the beginning of pyramid building. The statue is of the pharaoh Khafre. There is a specific piece to this sculpture which symbolizes the portrayal of the Egyptian belief in gods. For instance, the statue that is placed behind Khafre’s head is the falcon god, Horus. The manner in which the falcon god is placed shows that the god is protecting the pharaoh. In addition, the statue is composed of diorite, which illuminates to a blue tint as the sunshine hits it. This represents divinity, such that the gods were perceived as.

The Greeks also portrayed the gods in their artwork. For instance, the Athena Attacking the Giants is a good example. This is from the detail of the frieze from the east front of the altar from Pergamon about 175-150 BCE. The piece is composed of marble, frieze and is located in the Staatliche Museum in Berlin. During this time Athena was known as the goddess of war, crafts, counsel, and defense of towns, crafts and pottery. There are several statues and paintings representing Athena from the Greeks, as well as several art representations of battles between gods and giants throughout the Hellenistic periods. The Greeks illustrated their belief in the gods and the power that the gods had in their sculpture. This piece is similar to the Egyptian sculpture in that it is illustrating the power and protection that a god possesses. This work differs from the Egyptian sculpture in the detailing on the sculpture. The Greek work shows more time placed into specific features in the body of Athena and the giant, as well as the clothes. In addition, it is much more dramatic, in that is shows Athena holding the hair of the giant.

The Early Christian Period is another time where art work represented the belief in God, as represented in “The Good Shepherd”. This mosaic piece is found on the lunette over the entrance of the Oratory of Gall Placidia. It was constructed in years 425-426. This mosaic piece is colorful as it is used in the entrance to a mausoleum. Like the Egyptians, art work was used in the burial places of individuals. The difference between this piece and the Egyptian and Greek piece is that Christ, the son of God, is represented more peaceful. His power, however, is still represented through the large halo and the tall cross. In addition, the beautiful mosaic piece uses a Roman illusionistic technique that incorporates the lighting and shadows in order to make the mosaic appear real. The use of lighting is also represented in the Egyptian statue of Khafre.

The Byzantine period illustrates the portrayal of God as well. In the piece, “Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels”, the mother of Christ, the Virgin Mary during the Byzantine period was a powerful and divine figure. Like the previous artwork described, this work depicts the power that a divine being portrays for that culture. As seen in the Early Christina Piece from the Good Shepherd, this piece also uses the illusionistic Roman technique to establish the characters as if they were real.

Each of the pieces of artwork from the different Periods represents a belief in a God or gods. In addition, the technique for the use of sculpture is found in both the Egyptian period and Greek period, whereas the Roman illusionistic technique is found in the Early Christian and Byzantine periods. Although there are some differences in the technique, the overall theme illustrating the power of the God or gods is portrayed through lighting techniques and detail.

Works Referenced

College of the Sequoias. (2012). Unit IV Review: Early Christian, Byzantine and Early Medieval. Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from: http://infinity.cos.edu/art/strong/module/history2/unit4/chrismed/index.html

Crystallinks.com. Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from: http://www.crystalinks.com/dynasty4.html

Himoff, J. 2009. Gods versus Giants: Scenes from Gigantomachy, the Pergamon Altar at Berlin’s Museum Island. Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from: http://heritage-key.com/blogs/jon-himoff/gods-versus-giants-scenes-gigantomachy-pergamon-altar-berlins-museum-island.\

The National Gallery. The Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels in a Garden. http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/netherlandish-the-virgin-and-child-with-saints-and-angels-in-a-garden

Sacred Destinations. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna Mosaic of the Good Shepherd. Retrieved from: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/ravenna-galla-placidia-photos/slides/IMG_1117p.htm

Theoi project. Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from: http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Athena.html