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