Early Christian Art forms of the 3rd-4th centuries A.D.
Christ, without moustache or beard, speaks with a Samaritan woman at a Well (John 4:6-16). Catacomb Mural, 320-350 A.D. (p.93. Michael Walsh. Roots of Christianity. London. Grafton Books. 1986. For the date cf. p. 33. "Catacomb of Via Latina." Fabrizio Mancinelli. The Catacombs of Rome and the Origins of Christianity. Firenze [Florence], Italy. Scala. 1987. ISBN 0-935748-X. paperback). Note also that Christ's hair is closely cropped and is NOT shoulder length YET.
Below, Christ, on the side of a marble sarchophagus, without moustache or beard, appearing before Pilate, who is about to wash his hands from his servant's bowl and pitcher. Scene from a sarcophagus, ca. 350 A.D., at the Latern Museum, Rome (p.44. Christa Schu-Wille. Art of the Byzantine World. New York. Harry N. Abrams. 1969). PLeae Note, that Christ's hair is no longer closely cropped, it is NOW shoulder length.
Below, Christ, without moustache and beard, with shoulder-length hair, carries his cross. From an ivory casket dated ca. 420 A.D. (p.57. Christa Schu-Wille. Art of the Byzantine World. New York. Harry N. Abrams. 1969)
"...a fresco of the miracle of the woman who had an issue of blood twelve years (Mark 5:25-35; Luke 8:43-48) and, having touched the garment of Jesus, was healed of it...Some date the painting mid-third century, others later, between 325 and 350." (pp. 40,43. Fabrizio Mancinelli. The Catacombs of Rome and the Origins of Christianity. Firenze [Florence], Italy. Scala. 1987. ISBN 0-935748-X. paperback). Note Christ is shown with short hair and no beard or moustache.
Below, a blonde Christ as Logos "The Word" stationing the Cherubbim in the Garden of Eden. Note he is portrayed without shoulder-length hair, no moustache, and no beard. This is from a 17th century copy of the so-called 5th century A.D. "Cotton Genesis, which was burned in the 18th century and probably originated in Syria. (cf. p. 266. Arnold Toynbee. Editor. The Crucible of Christianity, Judaism, Hellenism and the Historical Background to the Christian Faith. New York & Cleveland. World Publishing Company. 1969)
Below, a mosaic showing Christ with Chi-Rho monogram, which preserves his title "Christos" in Greek. He is shown as a blonde with pronounced cleft chin, shoulder-length hair, and with no beard or moustache. The 4th century A.D. mosaic was found on the floor of house at Hinton St. Mary in Dorset, England. Later, Emperors would issue decrees forbidding images of Christ being placed on floors to be trod under foot. On either side of his head are pomengranates, symbolic of the fruit from the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. (cf. p. 173. Arnold Toynbee. Editor. The Crucible of Christianity, Judaism, Hellenism and the Historical Background to the Christian Faith. New York & Cleveland. World Publishing Company. 1969)
Below, a mosaic showing Christ being baptised by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Above Christ a dove symbolizing God's Holy Spirit descending upon him. Note Christ is portrayed with shoulder-length hair, and with no beard or moustache. (cf. p. 273. Arnold Toynbee. Editor. The Crucible of Christianity, Judaism, Hellenism and the Historical Background to the Christian Faith. New York & Cleveland. World Publishing Company. 1969)
Below, an ivory showing Christ enthroned as "the judge of the dead." He is portrayed without shoulder-length hair, and without a beard or a moustache. (cf. p. 231. Arnold Toynbee. Editor. The Crucible of Christianity, Judaism, Hellenism and the Historical Background to the Christian Faith. New York & Cleveland. World Publishing Company. 1969)
Below, Christ crucified, with moustache, beard and shoulder-length hair; Dated to circa 430 A.D., as rendered on the Santa Sabina Church's wooden door panels. (cf. p. 232. Arnold Toynbee. Editor. The Crucible of Christianity, Judaism, Hellenism and the Historical Background to the Christian Faith. New York & Cleveland. World Publishing Company. 1969).
Mancinelli:
"The decoration is dated at the end of the third century...Jesus is a youthful, beardless figure, clothed in a tunic and pallium, seen extending the long, miracle-working rod...towards the seven baskets of bread." (p. 45. Fabrizio Mancinelli. The Catacombs of Rome and the Origins of Christianity. Firenze [Florence], Italy. Scala. 1987. ISBN 0-935748-X. paperback)
Mancinelli:
"Another fresco in the first chamber shows the resurrection of Lazarus, narrated in the Gospel according to St. John (11:1-46). Christ is on the right, again young, short-haired and beardless (as was usual in third century frescoes) wearing the tunic and pallium. He extends the selfsame rod until it touches the grave of Lazarus, whose body can be seen inside, bound hand and foot with graveclothes." (p. 45. Fabrizio Mancinelli. The Catacombs of Rome and the Origins of Christianity. Firenze [Florence], Italy. Scala. 1987. ISBN 0-935748-X. paperback)
Jesus with 12 Apostles gathered about him. Note he is portrayed with short hair, and no beard or moustache in this catacomb wall mural of the 3rd century A.D. (cf. p. 45. Fabrizio Mancinelli.
The Catacombs of Rome and the Origins of Christianity. Firenze [Florence], Italy. Scala. 1987. ISBN 0-935748-X. paperback)
Below, a close-up of Jesus' head showing he has short hair and no beard or moustache in the 3rd centry A.D. wall Fresco.
