Authors: Strzygowski, Josef; Whyte, Iain Boyd

Source: Art In Translation, Volume 1, Number 1, March 2009 , pp. 61-76(16)

Publisher: Berg Publishers

Abstract:

In 1901 Professor Josef Strzygowski of Graz University published a highly controversial book entitled Orient oder Rom: Beiträge zur Geschichte der spätantiken und frühchristlichen Kunst (Orient or Rome: Contributions to the History of Late Classical and Early Christian Art), in which he argued that Roman influences were relatively unimportant in the development of early Christian art. A much more important source, he argued, was what he called the Orient, and in particular Egypt. With this article, which appeared one year later, Strzygowski attempted to consolidate this argument on the basis of porphyry figure groups located in St. Mark's, Venice, and the Vatican Library. He proposes sources for these figures that point to the East and to Egypt, which he itemizes in terms of material, motif, and craftsmanship. Far from accepting the thesis of the decline of the oriental impulse and the complete victory of the Greco-Roman tradition, Strzygowski argues for the resurgence of Ancient Egyptian culture in the late Roman and early Christian period.

Keywords: sculpture; porphyry; Egypt; ancient and Near East; late Roman art; early Christian art; Riegl

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/175613109787307690

Publication date: 2009-03-01

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• Art in Translation has been awarded a Highly Commended Certificate in the 2009 ALPSP Award for Best New Journal.

  Global in scope and extensively illustrated, this unique and innovative new e-journal demonstrates the vitality of art historical and visual culture scholarship undertaken outside English-speaking territories and cultures. Offering high quality English language translations of seminal works presently available only in their source language, Art in Translation offers a fresh perspective on global art practices, history and theory. It covers all areas of the visual arts including painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, design, and electronic media.

  Supported by generous funding from The Getty Foundation.

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