C H A P T E R 1 1 A P A R T H I S T O R Y

Ottonian Europe

Instructional Objectives: 2

�  Students will be able to: ¡  Investigate how the barbarian ornamental styles became the basis for

illustrating Christian manuscripts in Ireland and Northumbria.

¡  Identify how manuscripts were made and used.

¡  Assess the Carolingian revival of Roman artistic traditions in relation to the political position of the rulers as emperors sanctioned by the pope.

¡  Evaluate the variety of styles used to illustrate early medieval sacred books.

¡  Discover the distinctive style of manuscript painting developed by Christian artists in Spain.

¡  Analyze the planning and function of monasteries in the early Middle Ages

Division of the Carolingian Empire 3

�  How does the empire divide? ¡  Charlemagne’s son: Louis the Pious

¢ Ruled after Charlemagne ¢ Married Ermengarde and had three sons: Lothar (oldest), Pepin and

Louis

�  Frankish customs cause division ¡  According to customs, each son gets an equal share of kingdom lands:

¢ Lothar (oldest son) was named the primary heir �  Will get the title of Holy Roman Emperor �  Land stretches from the English Channel to the Mediterranean

¢ Pepin named king in Aquitaine (French land) ¢ Louis named king of Bavaria (German land)

�  Pepin and Louis were subservient to Lothar!

4 �  What went wrong?

¡  Ermengarde died L ¡  Louis the Pious remarried Judith of

Bavaria ¡  Had another son: Charles II (Charles

the Bald) ¡  Louis followed custom and re-

divided the lands to include Charles II ÷  took land from Pepin and Lothar

to provide an inheritance for Charles…

÷  leads to war!

�  1000 years of European warfare… ¡  Louis the Pious died in 840 ¡  Charlemagne’s grandsons fought for

control of the empire

5

Treaty of Verdun (843) and

Partition of Mersen (870)

Where do we find the Ottonians?

�  After the collapse of Louis the German’s dynasty, the Saxons ruled German territory.

�  This dynasty becomes the Ottonians – after the rulers! ¡  Otto I (r. 936-973) ¡  Otto II (r. 973-983) ¡  Otto III (r. 983-1002)

�  Otto I would be crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 962.

�  Germany and Italy had an alliance that was extremely strong – the Holy Roman Empire.

Ottonian Architecture

Influences of Architecture

�  Ottonian rulers wanted to replicate the splendors of to places… ¡  Rome! ¡  The Carolingians!

�  Roman basilicas were well known to the German officials! ¡  The German court in Rome was near

Santa Sabina! �  Was there another influence?

¡  YES! The Byzantines! ¡  After Otto II married a Byzantine

princess. �  What would impact the construction

of this time? ¡  FIRE! Timber churches are extremely

vulnerable to fire. ¡  Magdeburg Cathedral burned twice

(1008 & 1207)

Interior of Santa Sabina, Rome

Saint Cyriakus at Gernrode

�  Are there any churches that are exceptional examples of Ottonian architecture? ¡  YES! Saint Cyriakus ¡  This church was founded by

Margrave Gero in 961. �  When did construction begin?

961 �  Are there changes to the church

over time? ¡  YES! The apse was added in the 12th

century ¡  The interior was restored in the 19th

century – BUT – it does retain its 10th century character.

�  This church reveals how Ottonian architects enriched the form of Roman basilicas.

Bishop Bernward

�  Who was Bishop Bernward? ¡  One of the greatest patrons of this

era! ¡  Tutor of Otto III. ¡  Made Hildesheim a center of

learning. ¡  Loved the arts and was an expert

craftsman (biographer Thangmar of Heidelberg)

�  How is Bernward influenced by Rome? ¡  1001: traveled to Rome as a guest

of Otto III. ¡  In Rome, Bernward studied the

monuments and architecture. ¡  Transfer of culture happens here!

Otto III enthroned, folio 24 recto of the Gospel Book of Otto III (tempera on

vellum)

Saint Michael’s Hildesheim

�  When Bernward returned, he commissioned Saint Michael’s. ¡  Constructed between 1001 and

1031. ¡  This cathedral has a double

transept plan. ¡  There are also double tower

groupings and westwork. ¡  The nave connects these two

ends.

Plan of St. Michael’s

Hildesheim Constructed between 1001 and 1031, this church was destroyed in World War II and reconstructed following the devastation of warfare!

Colossal Bronze Doors

�  How does Roman architecture influence these Bronze Doors? ¡  While in Rome, Bernward observed

decorated doors. ÷  Old and New Testament scenes ÷  Carved wooden doors

¡  These doors date to 1015 and were made using lost-wax casting.

�  How is this piece read? ¡  Panels on the left door are read from

top to bottom and represent the Book of Genesis. ÷  Creation of Adam to Cain and Abel.

¡  Panels on the right are read from bottom to top and recount the life of Christ ÷  Annunciation to Mary Magdalene

appearance

Christ’s Triumph

�  Were the doors of St. Michael’s the only large bronze-casts commissioned? ¡  NO! Bernward also commissioned a

bronze column. �  When was this piece finished?

¡  This work was probably finished shortly before 1022 (Bernward’s death)

�  What story is told here? ¡  The seven spiral bands tell the story of

Jesus’ life in 24 scenes. ¡  This story begins with Jesus baptism

and ends with the entry into Jerusalem. �  Does this work remind you of

another column we have studied? ¡  Column of Trajan???!!!