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The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
96
References:
- Kleiner, F. S.,(2007) A history of roman art. California: Thomson Wadsworth.
- http://smarthistory.org/sarcophagus-of-junius-bassus.html
- Images: Artstor Collections
The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
359 CE
Eve & Aphrodite of Knidos
Stylistic Analysis:
4'x 8'x 4' Sarcophagus carved on three sides
Junius Bassus was among these elite to
quickly convert to Christianity.
History/Context:
Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus: Side View
- By the middle of the fourth century Christianity had undergone a dramatic transformation under Emporer Constantine.
- Christianity appealed to the desires for personal salvation, but Christianity's monotheism prohibited its followers from participating in the public cults
- Christians suffered periodic episodes of persecution.
- But still urban populations were slowly seeing the conversion.
- By the middle of the fourth century,under imperial patronage, Christianity had become a part of the establishment. The elite of Roman society were quickly becoming new converts.
Artist: Unknown
Patronage: Junius Bassus
Subject Matter: Old and New Testament Biblical stories depicted as singular scenes on two registers of five compartments framed by columns-- Junius Bassus is not depicted on the Sarcophagus.
Stylistic Analysis:
- He was a member of a senatorial family.
- Junius Bassus held the position of praefectus urbi for Rome. This was a position held by members of the most elite families of Rome. In his role as prefect, Junius Bassus was responsible for the administration of the city of Rome.
- When Junius Bassus died at the age of 42 in the year 359, a sarcophagus was made for him.
- As recorded in an inscription on the sarcophagus now in the Vatican collection, Junius Bassus had become a convert to Christianity shortly before his death.
Eve & Aphrodite of Knidos
Children harvesting grapes and grain
Christ, Peter, and Paul
Job
Adam & Eve
Sacrifice of Isaac
Style: Transitional piece of Classical Greek,
Roman Imperial, & Early Christian
Judgment of Pilate
Form:
- Contrapposto stance
- Elements of Naturalism
Technique: High Relief Carving
Materials: Marble
Provenance: Rediscovered in 1595
under Old St. Peter's Basilica
Similarities:
- Contrapposto
- Covering Female Anatomy
- Naturalism
- Side Gaze
Differences:
- Greater degree of naturalism in Aphrodite
- Squat vs. Long Lean proportions
- Modesty and the removal of sexuality from the nude figure