Final answer:
Before 313 CE, early Christian painting was predominantly found in catacombs, which were underground burial sites used by Christians for both burying their dead and displaying their religious artwork, including frescoes and mosaics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before 313 CE, most early Christian painting was found in catacombs. These underground burial sites were initially used by Jews and then by the burgeoning Christian community beginning in the 3rd century. Unlike the Romans, who typically practiced cremation, the trend among Christians was to bury their dead, and they utilized the soft tufo rock beneath the ground to create catacombs for this purpose. The catacombs served not only as a place for inhumation but also became galleries where religious artwork and symbols were displayed, with the walls and ceilings adorned with frescoes and mosaics, portraying religious icons and narratives relevant to Christian doctrine.
One notable aspect of early Christian artwork is the continuity of Roman artistic traditions, despite the different contexts and subject matter. While early Christians refrained from monumental religious sculpture, they carried on Roman sculptural customs through portrait busts and sarcophagus reliefs. Over time, the importance of images in the cultural experiences of new Christian converts influenced their burial practices, including the use of decorated sarcophagi and gold glass as grave markers, which often featured the Christian iconography developed in the catacombs.
With the spread of Christianity and the need for larger worship spaces, Christians adapted the architectural model of the basilica, which differed significantly from the Roman temples not only in terms of religious associations but also functionality, as Christian rituals required indoor spaces. However, it is important to note that this shift in architectural style, namely the use of basilicas, occurred after the end of persecution, post 313 CE, with the Edict of Milan.