LS2: Narrowing the Definition of ‘Religious

Art’

Lesson Objectives:

•To know what is considered to be ‘religious art’ today, in theological terms

•To understand how the relationship between religion and art evolved throughout history.

•To reflect on the relationship between religion and art today.

NEOLITHIC (NEW STONE AGE)

[8000-3000 B.C.E]

GREEK HIGH CLASSICAL

[450-400 B.C.]

EARLY BYZANTINE ERA

[526-725 C.E.]

ICONOCLASM [726-843 C.E.]

THE HIGH RENAISSANCE [1495-1527]

DADA

[1916 - 1923 C.E.]

PALEOLITHIC (OLD STONE AGE)

[30,000-10,000 B.C.E]

NEO-IMPRESSIONISM [1886-1906]

1 2 3 4

5TASK: Write down the order in which you think these art pieces were made

throughout history.

6

7 8

RELIGIOUS THEMES VS SPIRITUAL THEMES

Narrowing the Definition of ‘Religious Art’:

RELIGIOUS ART VS INSTITUTIONAL ART

Our definition of ‘religious art’ for the purposes of this course:

‘Religious art’ is that art which reflects the system of a religious tradition’s belief, in both its public and social

context. Art that is found in (or as) that tradition’s place of worship, scripture, festivals and the homes of believers.

Reflecting a system of belief that is both the public and social (that

of an established religion).

Reflecting a system of belief that is private and subjective (that of an individual’s sense of spirituality).

Religious artefacts; as those found in (or as) places of worship,

scripture, festivals, the homes of believers.

Art as an established institution in itself; art that is found in galleries,

museums, or as performances.

LS2: Narrowing the Definition of ‘Religious

Art’

Lesson Objectives:

•To know what is considered to be ‘religious art’ today, in theological terms

•To understand how this definition came to be.

•To reflect on the relationship between religion and art today.