Late Antiquity may be characterized by a remarkable stylistic shift from realism that was typical for the art of the Roman Empire to the abstract style of Early Christians. Classical art focused on the depiction on the world’s beauty through naturalism and worldly themes. In turn, Early Christian artists did not aim to depict the details of the outside world. Instead, they tried to depict the miracles of a spiritual world. They became accessible for people inside the church where golden sky reminded them of Heaven. In addition, the reality was regarded as insignificant in comparison with the splendor of God’s realm. The beliefs of Early Christian artists were reflected in their works. For instance, in the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the mosaicist aimed to emphasize the figure group. For it, all details of the outworld were reduced and extremely simplified. Thus, the landscape setting created in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and described by its artist was replaced by a few bushes and rocks.
It is commonly believed that an abstract style related to spirituality substituted classical illusionism in the 6th century when Early Christianity appeared. However, a new aesthetic could be noticed a century earlier. Its even more advanced forms appeared in the Church of Saint George at Thessaloniki in the Eastern Roman Empire. Initially, it was the mausoleum of Gaius, the Roman emperor. When it was converted into the church, Christian architects added a narthex, apse, and dome covered by mosaics. On the one hand, figures of saints depicted in mosaics were closely connected with the classical art of Antiquity. With arms raised in prayer, they resembled mural paintings of the Western Roman Empire. On the other hand, these figures did not provide any understanding of the human body. Covered by flat garments of saints, they symbolized God’s kingdom that cannot be reached by worshipers below. The abstract style of Christianity aimed to reflect the greatness of God’s world strengthening people’s devotion.