What does the style and function of Early Christian art tell us about its cultural context? How does it compare to pagan art and culture of Greco-Roman society?
To explore these issues, compare the Greek Archaic Calf Bearer to Christ as Good Shepherd catacomb painting. How are they similar and how are they different in terms of style, treatment of subject matter and symbolism, and function? What did early Christian artists borrow from pagan art and architecture? And, if they saw themselves as having a completely different religion, why would their art look at all like pagan art?