Early Christian sculpture: new contexts and new forms of representation?

• Applicant: Dr. Stefanie Archut
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 578344606

The project's objective is to examine the hypothesis that figurative sculptural decoration can be assumed for early Christian sacred spaces. The significant decline in three-dimensional sculpture in public spaces, especially from the 5th century onwards, has led researchers to conclude that 'early Christian sculpture' in sacred spaces is unlikely. Changes in contemporary tastes, the diminishing importance of public spaces in late antiquity and the alleged greater communicative power of two-dimensional images are frequently cited, alongside Christianity's supposed aversion to images, as reasons for the apparent absence of three-dimensional images in churches. However, the applicant's dissertation project has revealed new information about the sculptural design concepts of early Christian sacred buildings. In the mid-5th century, for example, stucco standing figures intended as donations were installed in the clerestory of such buildings. The research project aims to examine early Christian sacred spaces for further sculptural design concepts and adjust the perspective on early Christian sculpture. In the initial phase of the study, a comparative analysis will be conducted of sculptural embellishments in non-religious contexts. These include those recently outlined in the context of the late antique villa landscape of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as those that have already been the subject of extensive research in Gaul. In a subsequent step, the results will be compared with those of the early Christian sacred space. Therefore, the concept of "sculpture" must be defined more broadly to include numerous figurative elements alongside round sculptures. These are figurative representations on columns and ciboriums, figural capitals, liturgical furnishings and other relief sculpture. The working hypothesis is that sculptural images were used in the church interior to a much greater extent than previously assumed. The project outlined here thus also represents the first phase of the applicant's habilitation project, which for the first time takes a comprehensive and cross-genre approach to the phenomenon of the "interiorisation of representation" in late antiquity.

• DFG Programme: Position