Final answer:
The sarcophagus of Santa Maria Antiqua features Early Christian art with images such as the Good Shepherd and the Baptism of Christ, blending Christian narratives with elements derived from earlier Greek and Roman artistic traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sarcophagus of Santa Maria Antiqua, which dates back to the third century, showcases Early Christian art and scenes from Christian biblical narratives. Among the representations depicted are the Good Shepherd, a motif originating in both Greek and Roman art, symbolizing the New Testament parable and the Psalms of David. Additionally, there is an image of the Baptism of Christ on the far right of the sarcophagus. The fact that the sarcophagus was made to accommodate the portraits of the patron and his wife upon purchase suggests the sarcophagus was not bespoke from the outset.
The sarcophagus's imagery includes the praying figure, or 'orant', seen in Christian catacomb paintings, and a male philosopher type that aligns with pagan Roman art styles. Despite borrowing from the visual language of Roman art, the narratives on this sarcophagus unmistakably convey Christian themes, such as the story of Jonah, which is often symbolically linked to resurrection and salvation in Christianity.