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This general survey of early Christian baptismal iconography and architecture integrates visual depictions and physical settings of baptism with textual evidence for its practice and purpose. An opening overview of pictorial art (paintings, relief sculpture, mosaics, and ivories) prompts questions about components of the actual ritual which are treated in the literary sources. The study’s second half considers selected baptismal structures, examining the symbolism, purpose, and possible meaning of their spatial design and decorative programs. In most instances the synthesis of documentary and material evidence is enriching and complementary. However, even when physical and textual data diverge, their discontinuity demonstrates the variability of ritual performance and the perennial distinction between ideal and actual practice..

Baptism --- Christian art and symbolism --- Baptisteries. --- Fonts. --- Architecture, Early Christian. --- Architecture and religion --- History --- Christian art and symbolism. --- 265.11 --- 246 "00/06" --- Religion and architecture --- Religion --- Art, Christian --- Art, Ecclesiastical --- Arts in the church --- Christian symbolism --- Ecclesiastical art --- Religious art, Christian --- Sacred art --- Symbolism and Christian art --- Art --- Symbolism --- Christian antiquities --- Church decoration and ornament --- Doopsel: instelling --- Christelijke kunst en symbolisme--?"00/06" --- 265.11 Doopsel: instelling --- Architecture, Early Christian --- Baptisteries --- Fonts --- Baptismal fonts --- Church furniture --- Church buildings --- Early Christian architecture --- Baptism - History - Early church, ca 30-600 --- Christian art and symbolism - To 500. --- Architecture and religion - History - To 1500.