Catacombs of Rome

 

The catacombs of Rome contain some of the earliest Christian art and reveal those aspects of the faith most important to the ordinary person in the context of burial.

The Good Shepherd was the most frequent image, representing a personally caring deity. Baptism and Eucharist underlined the promises of Forgiveness and New Life. Also frequent theme was iconography of healing and protection, borrowing imagery from the Old and New Testaments.

Browse Collection

© Donald J. Bruggink

Recent Submissions

  • Signor Zinobelli & loculi 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1972)
    Signore Zinobelli and Loculi in the Catacomb of Pietro e Marcellino.

  • Cubiculum 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1972)
    Cubiculum in the catacomb on Via Latina, 4th century AD.

  • Signor Cecco Zinobelli 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1972)
    Signore Zinobelli from the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archeology. The Pontifical Institute for Christian Archeology is to be thanked for permission to enter and photograph their catacombs and for providing Signor ...

  • Christ raises Lazarus 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead.

  • Magi & Christ child 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco of Mary holding Jesus as magi on either side worship.

  • Woman with the issue of blood 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco of Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood.

  • Christ enthroned 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco of Christ enthroned with book of the law.

  • Person with large "egg" 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco of a person with a large egg. Is the "egg" a symbol of life (baptism, Eucharist?)

  • Unidentified fresco 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Unidentified 4th century fresco.

  • Head of woman 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Close-up of head of woman.

  • Unidentified fresco 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Unidentified 4th century fresco. Perhaps Elisha receiving Elijah's cloak.

  • Unidentified fresco 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco on the arcolsolium, with a cubiculum surrounding a loculi upon which are resting bones and pottery. Perhaps the Last Supper.

  • Unidentified fresco 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Unidentified 4th century fresco. Perhaps a lamb brought for Sacrifice.

  • Hercules obtains apple of Hesperides 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco of Hercules obtaining apple from Hesperides, cubiculum N, 375-85 CE.

  • Pagan cubiculum 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Pagan cubiculum with peacocks, putti, and Hercules fresco.

  • Hercules slays monster 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Fresco of Hercules slaying the Hydra, cubiculum N.

  • Three-headed dog 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Close up of pagan cubiculum showing Hercules with the cerberus.

  • Tellus 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Cubiculum with peacocks & arcosoleum with Tellus, cubiculum E, phase III.

  • Medusa 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Pagan motifs with Medusa in center of ceiling of cubiculum.

  • Socrates 

    Bruggink, Donald J. (Western Theological Seminary (Holland, Michigan), 1971)
    Socrates and followers view deceased, 4th century pagan fresco.

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