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Early Christians, like the Romans, appreciated the use of art for personal and cultural expression. They took inspiration from the Roman art that was all around them, believing that artistic forms and motifs could help them express and develop deeper their Christian faith (Relationship Between Roman & Early Christian Art & Architecture, 2015). Christianity appeared during the Roman Empire, which makes it clear that classical Roman art and architecture had a significant influence on Christian art and architecture.
The use of classical forms and motifs, such as columns, arches, and domes, demonstrates the impact of classical Roman art and architecture on early Christian art and architecture. For example, Christian basilicas took inspiration from Roman basilicas, which were large, open spaces used for public gatherings. Christian basilicas implemented the Roman layout of a nave, apse, and transept, with an elevated presbytery at the building's eastern end.
However, Christian art and architecture developed their own distinctive style. The use of
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Symbolism was frequently used in early Christian art to convey spiritual meanings, such as the depiction of the fish as a symbol of Jesus Christ or the peacock as a symbol of eternal life. Similarly, Christian architectural style frequently employed symbolic forms, which included the cross as a design element. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, Christian art and architecture progressed, incorporating regional styles and motifs. Christian art and architecture, for example, implemented the usage of icons in the Byzantine Empire, and these were religious images painted on wooden panels or even the walls of churches. Christian architecture progressed during the Gothic period to incorporate new methods of construction such as ribbed vaulting and pointed arches, which allowed for greater height and lightness in