Survey of Western Art I - Final Exam Review
EARLY MEDIEVAL in the WEST
*note artworks in highlighted italics
Early Middle Ages in Europe: 476 to 1050 AD+
(after fall of Rome: Early Medieval Art in the WEST)
§ Roman Empire’s adoption of Christianity to time of Renaissance Europe
o 400 to 1400 AD
o Early Middle Ages: 400 – 1050 AD
§ Period once considered a “Dark Age” in Western Europe (just a time in between two great civilizations – Rome & Renaissance)
§ Migrations / warfare / power struggles: Laying foundations of modern day Europe (replacing Roman Empire)
o Integration of cultures / artistic traditions
o Fusion of Greco-Roman heritage (Christianity) with Celtic-Germanic “barbarians”
o Laying foundations of later Europe
o Church (later) becomes great political force (unifying force)
§ BUT – separation of church and state (different from the East)
o Many artistic motifs come out of this period
§ Foundation of the Early Western Medieval Art = FUSION of barbarian and Mediterranean styles
§ Culminate in the later Romanesque style
The “Barbarians”: More than nomadic bands of brutal warriors.
Ø Considered to live outside the “civilized” world.
Ø Hunters, shepherds, farmers with an oral tradition (without written history or literature)
Ø High level of technical accomplishments
Ø Early Christian Era:
o Celts (northern Europe)
§ Migrated across Europe (exposed to Mediterranean art & culture)
§ Imaginative spiral style
o Scandinavians (north of Baltic)
§ Imaginative animal style (sinuous creatures – dragons / monstrous serpents)
o Goths (Germanic tribesmen) (nothing to do with later “Gothic”)
§ Polychrome or gem style
· Geometric ornament
· Cloisonné – enrich jewelry and weapons with colored stones and strips of gold. (in geometric shapes – into recognizable animals & birds)
o Will impact art of European Middle Ages
Ø Effect of Rome: Exposure to Mediterranean art and architecture by Roman Conquerors (new repertory of visual forms and materials)
Ø Fifth Century (migration period)
o Increased violence and conflict
o Europe as we know it took shape
Ø Sixth Century: One more major shift in tribal populations (Justinian reconquered some of Mediterranean territories for Byzantine Empire – Barberini Ivory)
o As Christian Roman Empire declined the “barbarians” stepped in to revitalize the arts and social framework of Europe.
§ Society rested on system of blood relationships
§ Loyalties to leader of the tribe (king)
§ King vowed to protect his men, avenge their deaths and share wealth
§ Government founded on moral obligations / loyalty
· Roots of the feudal system that governed the European Middle Ages
o 6th c – Christian Church emerges as dominant force in Europe
Ø Barbarians accept Christianity BUT do not forget their ancestors
o Love of abstraction and patterns conceptually similar to Early Christian and Byzantine art.
o But stemmed from different spiritual sources
o Worship of forces of nature and creation
o Adapted primal motifs to Christian context
o Art of abstraction combined with Christian
Ø Ninth Century
o Charlemagne / Carolingian Art – see homepage
Ø 10th Century
o Dark age politically and lack of writing, but NOT art wise.
o Crucifixion: Not a popular theme until 10th century because early church needed converts – themes of miracles to entice
Ø 10th / 11th c
o Ottonians
Ø Preserved & enriched Carolingian period’s culture and tradition
o Otto I crowned at Aachen (seat of Charlemagne)
o Did not claim Carolingian West (France) but added Northern Italy by marrying the Lombard Queen Adelaide.
Ø Strong ties between Ottonians with Italy and the papacy
Ø Sought to revive greatness of Roman empire
o Like Byzantine empire: Believed in their God-given superiority to lead the Christian world
Ø Art & Architecture to note:
o Purse Cover – Sutton Hoo Burial Ship
o Lindisfarne Gospels
o Book of Kells
o Celtic High Cross Monument
o Viking Ship
o Stave Church at Urnes, Norway
o Equestrian Portrait of Charlemagne
o Ebbo Gospels
o Coronation Gospels – Gospel book of Charlemagne
o Lindau Gospels
o Crucifixion
o Gospel Book of Otto III
o Hildesheim – Abbey Church of St. Michael
§ Bronze Doors, Hildesheim *handout