ABSTRACT
Thematically distinct from artistic compositions that had parallels in traditional Roman (pagan) iconography, many early Christian images referred directly to particular biblical texts and are the most distinguishably “Christian” in content. Unlike such non-narrative images as the praying figure or the seated philosopher, the textual sources of most of the subjects usually are obvious, but the reasons lying behind their selection and arrangement are more elusive. Examination of both the kind of setting as well as overall artistic program in which particular scenes appear may give some clues about their particular significance in context, while background analysis of the textual tradition of the source narratives themselves may provide information about the hermeneutical function of these images as “types.” Initial study of specific characteristics of individual scenes – their frequency of appearance, specific compositional details, and their placement in relation to other figures – will provide some basic data for consideration.
