Biblical Scenes in the Coptic Art

Abstract

A number of subjects based on the texts of the Old Testament especially the books of the prophets were widespread in Egypt in the early Christian period as evidenced by the numerous extant monuments. The artist turned to the story of the Prophet Jonah especially often. The theme of new spiritual birth and resurrection was connected with the route of righteous Noah. The testimony of Job about the Resurrection of Christ was the reason why the story of the sufferings became an enduring symbol of Christian Resurrection, For the first time Prophet Daniel’s name is mentioned in the Apostolic Constitutions prayer, where his image was associated with the Christ Resurrection and the triumph of Christian faith. In the history of art, there are few subjects that can be compared with the Old Testament compositions “Sacrifice of Abraham” in their emotional richness and depth. The development of Egypt as the country of monasticism determined the unusual popularity of Patriarch Joseph’s story and its illustration. The monks saw in the biblical patriarch the ideal of devotion and piety, the perfect type of a hermit and an ascetic serving as an example to follow. All these subjects can be interpreted as the images of salvation of the righteous, hope for their future resurrection and the victory over death.