Christ as “Good Shepherd”
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is located in Ravenna, Italy around 425-450. This artwork is defined by mosaics. Earliest Christian mosaics appear in late third century. Mosaics became a speciality of the Byzantine Empire and In Medieval Western Europe, the technique survived, but was sparsely used.
Here, the Christ is depicted as a “good shepherd”. Shepherd symbolizes him as “envoy of god.” Which is also given in the Bible as;
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” John, 10:11
“I am the gateway of the sheep … whoever enters thorough me will be saved and … find pasture” John, 10:11
Artists have attempted to depict concepts and emotions as opposed to actual occurrences. They rely on the viewer to interpret their use of metaphors and symbols in order to convey. The young, curly-haired Christ replicates a style created millennia before for the healer Apollo, which Alexander the Great used to symbolize his connection to the sun god. Sitting in a panorama of mountains, Christ bends to console a lamb. The regal purple of Christ's mantle and the shimmering gold of his robes catch the viewer's attention as they linger over the mosaic surface. This shepherd is none other than Christ, the all-powerful one. The Constantinian Chi Rho monogram is replaced as the imperial standard and a symbol of the united earthly and celestial empires by the imperial staff connected to the Christian cross. The triumph of Christ over death is symbolized by the golden cross. All devout Christians have hope for salvation because of that victory.
It is a good example of Christian art in the late antique period. The mosaics represent the some features from ancient period combined with medieval artistic style. The shading near the foot area of the Christ and the stick are impressive example of mosaic art. Realistic components have yet to be abandoned to focus emphasizing spiritual components. He is holding an imperial staff connected to a Christian cross, signifying the union of the divine and earthly realms. While the Byzantine tradition later favored mosaics with gold backgrounds, symbolizing heaven, the ancient Romans often preferred mosaics with blue backgrounds, representing the sky.
In addition, we can see the composition of the good shepherd is precisely given;
Also here, the artwork is divided into three parts, integrated with each other and providing a better perspective and identity.
Citations:
https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/08/the-mausoleum-of-galla-placidia-in.html
Medieval Art, Marilyn Stokstad, Second Edition
Red lined visuals are taken by Professor Gallori’s slides
