Time Period: About 3rd-12th century AD (this is in unclear amongst many sources)

So…What is it? (A bit of history and culture)

History: After reading countless articles, I have discovered that the true definition of the word Coptic is rather unclear. It is derived from a corrupt abbreviation of the Greek term, aiguptios, referring to an Egyptian who does not identify as Muslim nor speaks Arabic. Up until the early twentieth century, the word Coptic was used synonymously with the word Christian. However, confusion has emerged from a recent generalization of the term. Coptic art, today, can refer to a wide variety of works, both pagan and Christian, made during the third through fifth centuries. Through my research, I have come to understand that the literal meaning of the word is an attempt to identify the Christian, indigenous population after the Arab invasion of Egypt. It was used to describe a Christian Egyptian and as a result was also used to describe the art they created.

Culture: Although Egypt is regarded as an Islamic country today, it is believed that Egypt’s original belief system was Christianity from as early as 40 AD. Egypt was one of the first countries to accept Christianity, but it wasn’t fully integrated into their culture until about 300 years after it was first introduced. The Byzantine Orthodox church believed that Christ was both God and human simultaneously. However, the Copts (a term that they did not use to refer to themselves) chose to break away from the Byzantine church after a refusal to accept Christ as anything but God. They did not believe Jesus was fully God and fully man.

I began researching “what Copts believe” to see if their refusal of Christ as a human continued over time. I didn’t find much information on this specifically, although, I do believe Copts today view Christ as fully God and fully man. I did, however, discover that Copts have been a target of violent persecution for many years (including still today). On New Years’ Eve in 2011, 20 people died due to a bomb targeting an Alexandria Church. Even more recently, in 2016, at Cairo’s Coptic Cathedral, an ISIS suicide bomber killed 30 people. I just thought I’d share these horrific facts because it is so humbling to remember what a blessing it is to have freedom in religion in America. Coptic history dates back to an extremely early Christian era. They believed in Christ when His resurrection could still be regarded as “recent” history. It is encouraging to know that because of the Copts, Egypt hasn’t entirely abandoned their original beliefs. It is also heartbreaking to see how much persecution they face as a result of it though.

Now, about the art.

For some time, Coptic art was overlooked, unappreciated, and ignored because archaeologists were not concerned with Christian antiquities. Historians also note that it is difficult to organize the collection of Coptic art chronologically since it dates too far back. Coptic art was influenced by the Hellenistic world but has enough unique Egyptian characteristics to set it apart from other classical work. Coptic artists, which were primarily monks of Thebaid (quick fun fact in the middle of this sentence: monastic life was believed to first appear in Egypt meaning Coptic art was the first form of art to ever derive from early Christian monks), broke away from traditional Hellenistic naturalism and aimed for a more abstract, geometric, and flat style.

Some defining characteristics of Coptic art:

Three-dimensional art and free standing sculptures were abandoned.
Raised reliefs constructed out of stone, wood, or ivory were common.
Figures usually appeared head on but were occasionally drawn with a side view. This was a shift from earlier Egyptian art that usually combined the frontal and profile views.
The most recognized feature of Coptic art is the eyes. They are often wide, round, and the whites of the eye are shown around the entire pupil. They are also usually placed under thick eyebrows.
The size of figures represented their importance. Christ was always painted larger.
The remnants seen today were most likely once painted with great detail.
Coptic art can take the form of: portraits (most common), paintings, weaving, reliefs, icons, architecture, textiles, and more.
Rely on the basic form of Christ because it is what they know to be true: Jewish and most likely had a beard.

Ankh - The Coptic Cross - Crux ansata meaning “cross with a handle”

Coptic Christianity was said to develop under Saint Mark. The Mark who wrote books in the Bible. If this is actually true, that is ridiculously cool! I wish I could go back and talk to one of the writers of the Gospel. The Coptic Cross is a symbol that is recognized by many people even today; however, not many can explain what it is. The earliest version of this cross was a fusion of the pagan Ankh and the Christian cross. Copts viewed the circle as a halo that represented Christ’s divinity and resurrection. Although the Ankh is pagan in origin, it represents eternal life which is why the Copts chose to include it in the cross. It is said to mean “breath of life”.

Christ in Majesty

I thought it was interesting to include this piece as it is what we talked about in class Christ in Majesty. This was located on a wall in a monk’s cell. It was intended to inspire the monk in his spiritual journey of contemplation. The lion, ox, eagle, and man allude to biblical visions through the Bible.

Icon of Christ and Abbot Mena - 6th-7th century - Musée du Louvre - wood — **Icon of Christ and Abbot Mena** - 6th-7th century - Musée du Louvre - wood

Icons

This is an early icon of Jesus and Abbot Saint Menas. Their names are inscribed above their heads which was common of many icons during that time. Christ’s hand is on the abbots shoulder to represent Christ’s protection. Notice that Christ is portrayed as slightly larger showing His importance.

The Three Hebrews in the Fiery Furnace, fragment of a wall painting from a Coptic monastery at Wadi Sarga, Egypt, 6th century AD; in the British Museum, London. — ***The Three Hebrews in the Fiery Furnace***, fragment of a wall painting from a Coptic monastery at Wadi Sarga, Egypt, 6th century AD; in the British Museum, London.

Interesting Sketch

I found this sketch interesting because it was found amongst other Coptic art, yet it doesn't represent a lot of Coptic characteristics. The figures aren't looking at the viewer directly, they have small eyes, and this sketch is more detailed than the majority of Coptic work.

In Conclusion

If I am being completely honest, I didn’t think I would find Coptic art to be that interesting. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It is interesting to read about art that was created so soon after Christ died. It would be wild to live in that time period. I appreciate the Egyptian monks for providing us with such incredible history.

Sources

Ǧabraẗ, G., & Eaton-Krauss, M. (2007). The treasures of Coptic art: In the Coptic museum and churches of old Cairo. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.

https://arsartisticadventureofmankind.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/art-of-egypt-during-the-early-christian-era-coptic-art/

http://www.stmarkdc.org/coptic-paintings

http://www.pilotguides.com/articles/coptic-art-and-tombs-in-egypt/

http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396584/obo-9780195396584-0137.xml

https://www.britannica.com/art/Coptic-art

https://www.thoughtco.com/coptic-crosses-96012

http://albertacoptic.org/index.php/coptic-art

https://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Coptic-Art.pdf

http://www.coptic.net/articles/copticartofegypt.txt

Coptic Art

Grace and Necessity - Part One