Living Water: Images, Symbols, and Settings of Early Christian Baptism (Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae: Texts and Studies of Early Christian Life and Language)

333 Pages·2010·21.22 MB·English

by  Robin M. Jensen

Living Water
Supplements
to
Vigiliae Christianae
Texts and Studies of
Early Christian Life and Language
Editors
J. den Boeft – B.D. Ehrman – J. van Oort –
D.T. Runia – C. Scholten – J.C.M. van Winden
VOLUME 105
Living Water
Images, Symbols, and Settings of
Early Christian Baptism
by
Robin M. Jensen
LEIDEN • BOSTON
2011
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Jensen, Robin Margaret, 1952–
Living water : images, symbols, and settings of early Christian baptism / by
Robin M. Jensen.
p. cm. — (Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae : texts and studies of early
Christian life and language ; v. 105)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-90-04-18898-3 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Baptism—History—Early
church, ca. 30–600. 2. Christian art and symbolism. 3. Architecture and religion—
History—To 1500. I. Title. II. Title: Images, symbols, and settings of early Christian
baptism. III. Series.
BV803.J46 2011
265’.109015—dc22
2010036396

ISSN 0920-623x
ISBN 978 90 04 18898 3
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Dedicated to my teachers, Richard Brilliant and Richard A. Norris,
and to my dear friend and traveling companion, Anne Fry.

CONTENTS
List of Illustrations ............................................................................ xi
Abbreviations ..................................................................................... xvii
Foreword ............................................................................................. xxv
Introduction ........................................................................................ 1
Chapter One Baptismal Iconography in Catacomb
Painting ........................................................................................... 5
Introduction: Evidence and Method .......................................... 5
1.1. Early Christian Painting ...................................................... 9
1.1.1. Catacomb of Callixtus .............................................. 12
1.1.2. Catacomb of Domitilla ............................................. 16
1.1.3. Catacomb of Peter and Marcellinus ...................... 17
1.1.4. The Catacomb of St. Ermete (Bassilla) ................. 25
1.2. Discussion .............................................................................. 26
1.2.1. Identification of the Scenes and the Figures ....... 26
1.2.2. Contextual and Programmatic Analysis ............... 29
1.2.3. Ancient Prayer for the Dead as Iconographic
Source ......................................................................... 31
1.2.4. Typological Interpretation of Scripture as
Iconographic Source ................................................ 33
Conclusion .......................................................................................... 40
Chapter Two Baptismal Iconography on Sarcophagus and
Grave Reliefs .................................................................................. 43
Introduction: Early Christian Sarcophagi ................................. 43
2.1. Iconography of Early Christian Sarcophagi ..................... 44
2.1.1. Italian Sarcophagi ..................................................... 46
2.1.2. Gallican and Spanish Sarcophagi ........................... 62
2.1.3. Marble Grave Marker from Aquileia .................... 71
2.2. Discussion .............................................................................. 75
2.2.1. The Third figure in the Baptism Scene ................. 75
2.2.2. Moses/Peter Striking the Rock ............................... 76
2.2.3. Jesus’ Foot Washing and Pilate’s Hand
Washing ...................................................................... 79
Conclusion .......................................................................................... 81
viii contents
Chapter Three Baptismal Iconography in Ivory, Glass, and
Mosaic ............................................................................................. 85
Introduction: Transformation of Christian Visual Art in
the Fourth and Fifth Centuries ............................................... 85
3.1. Baptismal Iconography in Non Funerary Art ................. 87
3.1.1. Minor Arts: Ivories ................................................... 90
3.1.2. Minor Arts: Glass ...................................................... 106
3.1.3. Mosaics ........................................................................ 108
3.2. Discussion .............................................................................. 112
3.2.1. The Dove’s Beak as Source of Holy Water, Oil,
or Breath ..................................................................... 112
3.2.2. Attendant Angel(s) ................................................... 115
3.2.3. Personification of the Jordan River ....................... 117
3.2.4. Christological Implications of the Orthodox and
Arian Baptistery Iconography ................................. 123
Conclusion .......................................................................................... 125
Chapter Four Aspects of Baptismal Images in Light of Early
Liturgical Documents ................................................................... 127
Introduction: Intersections of Image and Text ........................ 127
4.1. Baptismal Settings: Outdoor Versus Indoor Spaces ....... 129
4.2. Water and Its Application ................................................... 132
4.2.1. Importance of Flowing or “Living” Water ............ 132
4.2.2. Water’s Sanctification ............................................... 134
4.2.3. Baptism by Immersion, Affusion, or
Aspersion .................................................................... 136
4.2.4. Vessels for Administering Baptismal Water ......... 142
4.3. Individuals Involved in the Rite ......................................... 143
4.3.1. Recipients ................................................................... 143
4.3.2. Administrators ........................................................... 149
4.3.3. Presbyters and Deacons ........................................... 151
4.3.4. Deaconesses ................................................................ 153
4.3.5. Sponsors and Witnesses ........................................... 156
4.4. Nakedness and Clothing ...................................................... 158
4.4.1. Nudity and Modesty; Christians and the Public
Baths ............................................................................ 159
4.4.2. The Practice of Nude Baptism ................................ 162
4.4.3. Segregations of the Sexes ......................................... 164
4.4.4. Nakedness as Symbolic ............................................. 166
4.4.5. Re-Robing in White Garments ............................... 168
contents ix
4.5. Confirmation: Invocation of the Holy Spirit ................... 171
4.5.1. Imposition of Hands ................................................. 171
4.5.2. The Dove ..................................................................... 175
Conclusion .......................................................................................... 177
Chapter Five The Design and Decoration of Early Christian
Baptisteries ...................................................................................... 179
Introduction ................................................................................... 179
5.1. Purpose Built Baptisteries .................................................... 180
5.1.1. The Dura Europos Baptistery .................................. 182
5.1.2. Baptisteries in Italy .................................................... 184
5.1.3. Baptisteries at Primuliacum (Gaul) According to
Paulinus of Nola ........................................................ 209
5.1.4. Baptisteries in North Africa ..................................... 210
5.2. Discussion: Taxonomy of Structures, Font Shapes, and
Placement ............................................................................... 222
5.2.1. Attached Versus Freestanding Baptisteries;
Placement Relative to Basilica Hall ........................ 223
5.2.2. Baptistery Design ....................................................... 224
5.2.3. Shapes and Depths of Fonts .................................... 225
5.2.4. Ciboria, Footbaths, Water Systems, and
Drains .......................................................................... 229
Conclusion .......................................................................................... 230
Chapter Six Symbolism in Baptistery Design and Décor ........ 233
Introduction: Visual Symbols and Ritual Actions ................... 233
6.1. Architectural Prototypes ...................................................... 234
6.1.1. Baths ............................................................................ 234
6.1.2. Mausolea ..................................................................... 237
6.2. Structural Symbolism ........................................................... 244
6.2.1. The Octagon ............................................................... 244
6.2.3. The Font as Womb ................................................... 247
6.3. Decorative Motifs .................................................................. 251
6.3.1. Deer Coming to Water ............................................. 252
6.3.2. The Shepherd and His Flock ................................... 254
6.3.3. Fishers and Fish ......................................................... 258
6.3.4. Christ Giving the Law (Traditio Legis) ................. 262
6.3.5. Candles and Lamps ................................................... 264
6.3.6. Noah’s Ark .................................................................. 267
6.3.7. Starry Sky .................................................................... 269