The Earliest Depictions of Jesus: A Journey Through Art History

🎨Jesus was depicted in various ways throughout history, from a gentle-looking European to a typical Roman figure.

🔍Artworks from the first few centuries following Jesus' death offer insights into what he may have looked like.

✝️The oldest surviving depictions of Jesus often show him without a beard and with short hair, resembling a typical Roman.

🌟Early Christian art used symbols like the halo, alpha and omega, and ritual fringes to represent Jesus' divinity and Jewish background.

🎅Even early depictions of Jesus included imagery related to his birth, such as the Nativity scene and the Star of Bethlehem.

How were early depictions of Jesus influenced by the Roman Empire?

—Early depictions of Jesus often resembled typical Romans, with short hair, no beard, and garments associated with authority.

What symbols were used in early Christian art to represent Jesus?

—Early Christian art used symbols such as the halo, alpha and omega, and ritual fringes to signify Jesus' divinity and Jewish heritage.

What insights can we gain from the oldest surviving images of Jesus?

—The oldest surviving images show Jesus without a beard and with short hair, providing insight into how he may have been portrayed during his lifetime.

How did early depictions of Jesus evolve over time?

—Early depictions of Jesus gradually shifted from resembling a typical Roman figure to incorporating more religious symbols and references to his birth.

What influenced the depiction of Jesus in early Christian art?

—Early Christian art was influenced by cultural and artistic traditions of the time, as well as the theological beliefs of early Christian communities.

00:00The video explores the earliest depictions of Jesus in art history.

01:27The first depictions show Jesus as a gentle-looking European figure.

02:32Later attempts were made to depict Jesus more accurately, resembling people from the Middle East.

03:45Byzantine icons used symbols like the halo and gestures to represent Jesus' divinity and authority.

07:04Catacomb paintings from the 4th century depict Jesus with short hair, no beard, and Roman garments.

09:59The oldest known image of Jesus, from around 235 CE, shows him as a baby with Mary and Joseph.

14:20A piece of graffiti from the 3rd century mocks a Christian named Alexamenos, showing Jesus with the head of a donkey.