Download - Medieval Art - Art History Survey
Medieval Art in EuropeArt History SurveyT, R, 12-1:20PMProfessor Paige Prater
Mapping the Middle Ages
The Middle AgesMedieval vs. Middle Ages vs. Dark
Ages◦1,000 years◦5th century-1500 (end of Roman Empire to
Renaissance Early Medieval – through early 11th century Romanesque – 11th-12th centuries Gothic – mid 12th-15th centuries
“Barbarians”Feudalism: patronage, family/clan ties,
personal service/labor for protection
Mapping the Middle Ages
5th Century: ROMERoman army abandons Britain
(Hadrian’s Wall)◦Germanic allies of Rome◦410 Rome sacked by Visigoths
(Galla Placidia!)◦455 Rome sacked by Vandals (after
making Carthage headquarters)◦476 Ostrogoths deposed the last
Roman Emperor Ravenna – capital until Byzantine defeat
5th Century: Non-RomansCelts – western EuropeGermanic peoples – Baltic Sea
◦ Goths head south around Mediterranean>Roman empire
◦ Huns - Central Asia> Western Europe◦ Ostrogoths>Italy◦ Visigoths>Spain◦ Burgundians>Switzerland, Eastern France◦ Franks>Germany, France, Belgium◦ Vandals>Africa, eventually settle in Italy◦ ANIMAL STYLE in the arts
Early MedievalNon-Roman peoples
◦Pottery, weaving, woodwork◦Metals: weapons, tools, jewelry◦Hunters, fishermen, shepherds,
farmers◦Social organization= tribal/family-
based
Early Medieval ChristianitySt. Augustine – “The City of God”496 – Franks convert under Clovis
(ruled 481-511) and Burgundian wife, Clotilda◦French rulers and popes = allies
589 –Goths accept Roman Christianity597 – Pope Gregory the Great sends
missionaries from Rome to King Ethelbert of Kent (Christian wife, Bertha); Augustine!
Monasteries = center of art & learning
Eagle Brooch – Visigothic, 6th Century, Spain
Gilt bronze, crystal, garnets, etc.
5 3/8” Cabochon:
polished, unfaceted crystal
One of a pair
Cross - Church of Saint Giulia, Brescia (east of
Milan), late 7th-early 9th centuryMade for
western Christian Church
Byzantine form
Engraved cameos and jewels from ancient world
Fake gems (glass)
Gummersmark Brooch, Norse, 6th century
Silver gilt height 5
¾”Human,
animal, and geometric forms
Celts & Anglo-Saxons: Sutton Hoo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWxcQZBM3eQ Purse cover, Suffolk, England, first half of 7th century
Page with a Man, Gospel Book of Durrow, second half of 7th century
Iona, Scotland OR northern England
Ink and tempera on parchment
Making of illuminated manuscripts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aDHJu9J10o
Lindisfarne GospelsMatthew, Mark, Luke, and John
lines>tiny animal heads
contemplationCross-carpet page
introducing the Gospel of Matthew
Detail of carpet page…
Book of Kells, Chi Rho Iota page, late 8th or early 9th centuryThe page
introducing Matthew
Detail of Chi Rho page: Cats and Mice with HostSpiritual and practical: good vs.
evil, sacred Host free of rodents
Book of Kells: Gospels page, folio 27v
Book of Kells: Christ Enthroned, folio 32v
South Cross, AhennyCounty
Tipperary, Ireland, 8th century, stone
Bosses= brooch-like projections
Like a reliquary cross
Mozarabic Art – Muslims in SpainIslamic and Christian exchange711 – Islamic invaders conquer
Visigoths in Spain; “Moors” rule until 1492
732 – Charles Martel and Franks keep Muslims out of France
Melting-pot of cultures in SpainMustarib – “would be Arab”
Beatus, Abbot of St. Martin, Commentary on the Apocalypse, 8th centuryEmeterius and
SeniorBell tower and
scriptoriumColophon – last
page; provides info about the book’s production
Tempera on parchment
Battle of the bird and the serpent, commentary on the Apocalypse by Beatus and commentary on Daniel by Jerome, (detail)
Emeterius and Ende, with scribe Senior
July 6, 975 completion
Metaphor for triumph of Christ over Satan
Carolingian EmpireCharles the Great (768-814 –ruled) –
Carolus Magnus (in Latin)- dynasty/empire◦Western Germany◦France◦Lombard kingdom-Italy◦Present-day Belgium and Holland
Frankish descentChristianDec 25, 800 CE – Pope Leo III crowned
Charlemagne as Emperor
Charlemagne’s ObjectivesRestore Roman EmpireRevive arts and learningBenedictine monks/nuns
◦Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547) Rule for Monasteries
◦EDUCATIONAachen, Germany
Chapel Palace at AachenOctagonal domeSixteen-sided outer wallSoundless video about Aachen
and Lorsch Gospels by Victoria and Albert Museum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l31Pp20pUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwIKmKxu614
Carolingian BooksExacting editing/copying
◦Alcuin of York – Anglo-Saxon scholar; corrected copy of Latin Vulgate Bible…still in use!
◦Majiscules vs. Miniscules NO punctuation or spaces between
words!
Godescalc Gospel Lectionary; Page with Mark the Evangelist 781-783
Ink, gold, and colors on vellum
Commissioned by Charlemagne and Hildegard
Coronation Gospels – Page with Saint Matthew the Evangelist, early 9th century
Roman realistic; placed in Charlemagne’s tomb and removed by Emperor Otto III in 1000?
Ebbo Gospels, Page with Matthew the Evangelist, 2nd quarter of 9th century
Archbishop Ebbo of Reims
Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne (ruled 814-840) – childhood friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqC8gVxxB-s
Utrecht Psalter – 2nd quarter of 9th century, Page with Psalm 23 (detail)
Old Testament Book of Psalms
Lindau Gospels – outer cover, 870-880
Carolingian metalwork
Monastic workshop under Charles the Bald (840-877) – Charlemagne’s grandson
Raised jewels on mini arcades (light beneath)
VIKING ERANorse seamen - 350 shipsViken – “people from the coves” 1000 – Leif Ericksson reached
North AmericaFamous attacks:
◦793 – Lindisfarne monastery◦795 – Iona (off Scotland’s west coast)
Oseberg Ship, 815-820
Picture Stones at Jelling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxdaLPGoQ9g
Urnes Church Portal, 11th century, Norway11th century
doorway; building rebuilt 12th century
Syncretism: “gripping beasts” and Lion of Judah/Christ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We6aFOp4zsw
Stave Church, Borgund, Norway, 1125-1150 CE
Timber architecture◦Stacked
horizontal◦On end + sill
RidgepoleRafterCruckstave= huge
timber
Ottonian EuropeSaxon dynasty that took over
after Charlemagne’s grandson’s family died out in the 10th century◦Otto I (936-973 CE)
951 – married Lombardian widow, Adelaide
962 – crowned emperor by the Pope in 962 CHURCH OVER STATE
◦Otto II (973-983 CE)◦Otto III (994-1002)
983-994: Adelaide and Theophanu ruled as regents
Gero Crucifix
970, Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Painted and gilded wood
6’ 2”
Page with Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples, Aachen Gospels of Otto III
c. 1000Ink, gold,
and colors, on vellum