Roman catacomb, 300s CE wall painting over a sarcophagus Giotto, Enthroned Madonna, 1310 Medieval...
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Transcript of Roman catacomb, 300s CE wall painting over a sarcophagus Giotto, Enthroned Madonna, 1310 Medieval...
Roman catacomb, 300s CEwall painting over a sarcophagus
Giotto, Enthroned Madonna, 1310
Medieval Art300-1400 CE
From Grottos to Giottos
0-300 CE We begin with the sense of the internal ---secrecy, symbols 500-800-- Dark Ages
By the 5th century, the Roman Empire is
shaken with attacks, Rome falls in 476 CE.The security of the
empire is shattered---enter the “Dark Ages” between the rule of two great emperors, Justinian (500s) and Charlemagne (800s)
Darkness500 CE-----------------800 CE
early Christian church Rome, 350 CE
Roman catacombs, 250 CE
313 CE Emperor Constantine’s decree legalizes Christianity, beginning a long march of political and social power in the name of the Catholic church
Meanwhile, during these shaky times of the “Dark Ages,” Irish monasteries act as keepers of books
IrelandEstablished early Christian monasteries independent from the uncertainties of Romanesque Roman Empire
ILLUMINATIONS – manuscript illustrationsBook of Kells, Ireland, 700-800sTempera on vellumGeometric intricacy and abstraction
What would it take for our contemporary world to turn into chaos?
“That nature is chaotic and that the artist puts order into is is absurd…” Willem de Kooning
“Out of chaos, we make a world, a consequence of art…”Hans Hofmann
Two views of abstract artists who emigrated to New York City after World War II
What values would we protect?Who would “keep the books”?
Warhol, Liberty, silkscreen,1986
(Is it war or is it freedom?)
Charlemagne742-814 CE
(Charles the Great)
• 800 CE, Christmas Day--crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the pope
• Frankish king (Germany)• Seat of power shifts from Mediterranean to the
North---England, France, Germany• Power for Charlemagne but also power for the
pope• Aachen (Germany) becomes cultural center• Restored Latin as primary literary language• Improved education for boys and girls• Restoration of Greco-Roman learning and authority
Although Charlemagne encouraged education for all, he himself was illiterate, signing his name with an X
The term “Romanesque” describes the time period between 800-1100 CE,
when buildings around Europe were constructed in the manner of the
Romans---rounded arches, thick walls, little exterior decoration
Romanesque Illuminations transmit the sense of God without the knowledge of God
Miniator-small scenes
Rubricator—letters and numbers
St. John, the Gospel Book of Abbot Wedricus, 1147
Letter Q, from Evangeliary of Abbey at St. Omer, c. 1000
“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart…Prefer nothing to the love of Christ”
St. Benedict, 6th century
Hildegard von Bingenabbess, poet, visionary--1098-1179wrote songs and created illuminations in praise of God. Her mysticism might have been thought of as heresy if she had lived a little later in the Mid Ages. Migraines or visions?
Receivingher vision
9th-12th centuries: Sensing is IN Knowledge is OUTWhich way are you guided?? Do you like to “know” or “sense”?
Hildegard, Universal Man , 1165In her “Play of the Virtues,” an oratorio for women, the only male part is that of the devil, who cannot sing
Do you think that Leonardo saw this when designing the Vitruvian Man?
Life After Charlemagne• 870--remains of his empire are
ruled by grandsons, Charles the Bald (France) and Louis the German (Germany)
• Weak rule, came under attack• Although empires are collapsing,
Church of Rome remains strong• Increased authority of the pope• Calls itself “Catholic” which means
universal• Much of the art is made in service
to the Church • Normans (from Norway, Vikings)
took control of England, Ireland, Italy
• 962--Otto I, a Saxon king, is crowned emperor, Ottonian Empire
• Holy Roman Empire under German rule
The Catholic church inserts its power----
Crusades begin in 1095 CE,an effort to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims ---lookout if you are the second son….All non-Christians, including Jews, are targets
Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1073-1088• Describes the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror, coming from the coast of
France to England, in 1066 CE• Is actually an embroidery, 2 ft. x 230 ft.• The Normans have shaved heads while the Brits have moustaches• The sad fate of King Harold is a mystery….was it an arrow in the eye? hacking off his legs?
Or a spear in his chest?• Gives historians a true glimpse of costume and armor of the medieval age…now housed in
Bayeux, France
Well, it’s really an embroidery……
Norman William the Conquerorversus British King Harold
Harold’s unfortunate demise…shown in triplicateeye, legs, chest
24 dogs and 194 horses553 birds and mythical creatures
The Bayeux Tapestry is featured in computer game Diablo II as well as the movie, Shrek the Third
Narrative Art ---what’s the meaning of battle and valor?