Middle Ages: The Reign of Religion

The Dark Ages-truly anything but dark!!

What do we know about?

Egypt, Greece, Rome

• Emperors

• Empires

• Religious practices

• People’s focus

What we will see….

• Roman Empire was divided between Rome and Byzantium (later named Constantinople)

• Christianity was illegal but practiced anyway

• Christians hid and drew pictures with symbols

• Realism is no longer emphasized

• Emphasis shifted from the here-and–now to the hereafter

• Body as beautiful to body as corrupt

Early Christian Art

100-300

Art in Quest of Salvation

• After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was marked by a religious eagerness and a quest for eternal salvation under the guidance of the Christian Church.

• Art was used mainly to teach the faithful about their Christian faith.

• Developed a renewed interest in the people and events of the real world.

Early Christian Art

Early Christian Art (100-300)

Christians hid in catacombs and painted on walls and ceilings

Christian faith was illegal but triumphed over paganism

Christians afraid of persecution

Painted using secret symbols so Romans wouldn’t understand the meaning (secret code)

Catacombs (Underground passageways and Tunnels)

pictures of animals, birds, and plants

Christ portrayed as good shepherd

1. Great circle-heaven 2. Cross-Christ’s death and resurrection 3. Good Shepherd-Christ/one willing to lay down his life for them, his flock 4. Sheep-faithful followers 5. Lamb-people who need additional help on the difficult road to salvation 6. Jonah and the Whale-God’s protection 7. Hands raised-members of church pleading to God for assistance and mercy

1.

2

3

4

5

6

Concern for realism in Roman art replaced with

concern for making

understandable symbols

Symbols

• Dog=faithfulness(watchfulness and loyalty)

• Ivy=eternal life (always green)

• Goldfinch=Christ’s death (thistles and thorns)

• Christ=shepherd

• Artist’s main interest was in illustrating the Christian story so that followers could “read” it easily and meditate on its meaning

Roman Empire-East and West

Fall of Rome (west) marks the beginning of Middle Ages-5th century

• 250 AD Order of 1st Persecution of Christians

• 313 AD Constantine ends persecution and recognizes

Christian Church

• 395 AD Empire divided into Western and Eastern with

Milano (west) and Constantinople (east) capitals

• 402 AD West empire moves capital from Milano to

Ravenna

• Eastern Empire lasted until 1453 (marks the beginning of the Renaissance)

Roman Empire Divides into East and West

(Byzantium)

(West) Roman Empire

(East) Byzantine Empire

West vs. East

• Art in the west reflected Roman characteristics

• Art in the east took on a look of its own

• Both changes took place at the same time

• Islam religion also happening in the east.

Basilicas

• Once Christianity was legalized (313 by emperor Constantine) Christians were free to practice their faith openly

• Buildings were needed for large numbers of worshipers.

• Christians in the west borrowed basilica floor plan from Romans

• Exteriors were plain

• Interiors were dramatic

In the west….

• Churches such as St. Apollinare en Classe

• Basilica floor plan

• Plain on outside

• Decorative mosaics

on inside

St. Apollinare en Classe in Ravenna, Italy

Notice the long nave, the colonnade, and side aisles and the apse at the end

Mosaics decorated the walls

• Picture of St Apollinare

• Pictured as shepherd of flock

• First time anyone other than Christ in the apse decoration

Byzantine Art

Art of the East

330-1453

East vs. West

• After the eastern capital was established in Constantinople (Byzantium) the Roman Empire functioned as two separate sections, East and West

• Two different emperors

• West emperor lost power, the Church, governed by popes, was central authority in the West

• Constantinople (Byzantine Empire) was a blend of Roman, Greek and Eastern influences-who’s art glorified the Christian religion

Byzantine Art

• The term, however, refers more to a style associated with Byzantium than to its area.

• Byzantine paintings and mosaics are characterized by a rich use of color and figures which seem flat and stiff.

• The figures have large eyes. • Backgrounds tend to be solidly golden or toned. • Intended as religious lessons, they were presented

clearly and simply in order to be easily learned.

Byzantine Architecture

• Western architects preferred basilica plan by East preferred central plan

East West

pendentive

Eastern Roman Empire

Hagia Sophia,Istanbul, Turkey

532-537 100’ dome

Interior of Hagia Sophia

Built as a church,

then used as a

mosque (added

minarets) now is a

museum Mosaics

were covered

with plaster for Islamic

faith, but now

uncovered

Emperor Justinian

• After Roman Empire fell, the emperor from the east, Justinian, wanted to re-take control of Italy

• He managed to re-gain control

• Moved capital to Ravenna in northern Italy-a quiet town

• He brought eastern styles with him…seen in San Vitale-a church he ordered built

San Vitale Ravenna, Italy

built by eastern emperor-Justinian

Central plan in the west

Apse of San Vitale

Images of saints and apostles were shown in an elongated style, usually seen against a gold background.

Interior Mosaic of San Vitale

Early Medieval and Romanesque

Four Periods of Middle Ages

• Early Christian Art-c. 100-300

• Byzantine Art-c.330-1453

• Early Medieval-c. 475-1050

• Romanesque-c. 1000-1300

• Gothic-c. 1150 overlapping Romanesque and continuing into 1500’s

Europe today

Important Facts of Early Medieval Period

In the West…….

• Fall of Rome is considered the start of Early Medieval period (475 AD)

• Law and order was gone

• Open warfare, conflicts, mass migrations

• Carolingian dynasty was founded-Frank Empire

• Revival of strong, efficient government

• Stimulation of renewed interest in learning and the arts

• Art still focused on “teaching religion” instead of honoring a god

Age of Faith

• Hearts and minds of Medieval people were fixed on one all-important goal—Preparation for eternal life after death.

• Church-having grown in power and influence, guided the people in their quest

• Everyone was expected to place loyalty to the Church above everything else-even kings and emperors

Charles the Great • Known as Charlemagne (Frankish king of Carolingian dynasty

lasting 150 years) • Crowned first Holy Roman Emperor by the pope in 800 A.D.

after forcing Christianity on those he ruled • Carolingian dynasty encouraged learning and the arts • Ordered monasteries to establish schools teaching

arithmetic, grammar, and the psalms • Preserved ancient manuscripts • Tried to restore splendors of ancient Rome: built baths,

brought statues from Italy. (capitol in Aachen) • His strong empire crumbled after his death in 814 which

lead to feudalism.

Architecture of Early Medieval Period

• Most made of wood and have not survived

• Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel, Aachen, Germany

• Round basilica floor plan

• Built 792-805

Interior of Palatine Chapel modeled after the church in San Vitale

San Vitale

Portable art

Shoulder clasp books carried by missionaries

Belt buckles

Clasps

Books

Coats of armor

Purse covers

Purse cover coat closure

From Scrolls to Books • Illuminated manuscripts

– Copied by hand – Usually done by monks – 1000 yrs. Illuminations were most

important paintings produced in western Europe

– Written in Latin

• Manuscripts of Gospels illustrated with small paintings of the four Evangelists in symbols: Matthew-angel, Mark-lion, Luke-bull, John-eagle

• Church was center for art and learning as well as religion

• Favored art that could teach and inspire the people in their faith

• Written words were for the few who could read-the illustrations were for those who could not

Angel dictating what Matthew should write and he is frantically writing it all down

Illuminated manuscripts Manuscripts of Gospels illustrated with small paintings of the four Evangelists in symbols: Matthew-angel, Mark-lion, Luke-bull, John-eagle

The written portions of manuscript were meant for the few people who could read, whereas the illustrations were

intended for those who could not. Messages in the illustrations had to be simple and familiar so everyone

could understand them

Effects of Feudalism

• Developed in 9th c. and reached its peak during the Romanesque period.

• Land was the only source of wealth

• Castles were built to fortify lord’s dwellings

• Tower, walls, moat, and drawbridge the castle became the symbol of authority

• People wandered for places to live

• Took “portable” art with them

Armor and Coat of Arms

Castles Castle of Manzanares el Real

Few windows, solid walls, dark, cold interiors

Growth of Cities

• Castles remained important as long as feudal system flourished

• Growth of trade and industry in the 13th c. brought an economy based on money rather than land

• Barricades were built around town.

Romanesque

1000-1300 AD

Romanesque Churches

• All towns had one thing in common: in the center of each stood a church

• Richly decorated stone churches of the 11th and 12th centuries are testimony to power of the Church, the faith of the people and the skill of the builders

• People were encouraged to take part in pilgrimages

• Churches were built along route

Romanesque Church Floor Plan

Second Aisle

Entrance Nave

transep

t

Apse

Second Aisle

Radiating chapels

ambulatory

Romanesque

Romanesque art consists of a large variety of regional styles. Most of the art of this period was religious-(churches and sculptures)

Major efforts were directed toward constructing churches and carving sculptures to decorate them.

Characteristics

• thick walls

• few windows

• rounded arches

• Revival of sculpture

• Relief sculpture outside of building: above arch of door and on capitals

Saint Sernin Toulouse, France

Notice the ambulatory & radiating chapels

Pisa Baptistery, Cathedral and Tower

Built 1063-1350

East side of Pisa

Romanesque Art Church Wall Paintings

Large paintings decorated the inside walls of churches

Common features: not concerned about reality-instead wanted easy to understand religious symbolism, flat, colorful shapes, bold use of line

Christ in Majesty, Fresco San Clemente, Tahull, Spain

Styles influencing Styles

The Romanesque tympanum of Vézelay Abbey, Burgundy, France, 1130s.

Arch of Constantine

Roman vs. Romanesque

Characteristics Art Architecture

Egyptian

Pyramids, hieroglyphics

No-negative space

Rigid, twisted, flat, look-a-

like

Blocks, honored gods

Greek

Parthenon

Realistic, looks like no one

special-honor gods and

athletes

Columns (post and lintel)

Honor gods

Roman

Pantheon

Realistic, looks like specific

people, copied Greek ideas

Arch construction, domes,

cement, honor gods and

emperors

Early Christian

Paintings from catacombs

Ceilings and walls of

catacombs, used symbols

None

Byzantine

Hagia Sophia

Mosaics, flat, elongated,

colorful, dark lines

Plain exterior, decorated

inside, built churches with

basilica floor plan

Early Medieval

Manuscripts

Illuminated manuscripts,

flat, not realistic, religious

stories, frescoes

Castles, walls, thick walls,

few windows, churches,

transept

Romanesque

Pisa Cathedral

Frescoes, simple, colorful,

religious stories, sculpture

Statues over doorways and

capitals

Gothic Art

c. 1150-1500

Gothic c. 1150-1500

• Economy continues to grow and so does populations and large cities emerge and feudalism begins to die out

• The term Gothic was given to this time period from critics because it did not hold to the standards of ancient Greek and Roman art

• Mainly describes architecture

• Great cathedrals were built to glorify the Church; and they became the religious, cultural, and social centers of growing cities.

Great Cathedrals

• The emphasis is on height and wide windows were dominate in the Gothic society.

• Breathtaking height had become the dominant aim, and the creations of “translucent wall” consisting of numerous stained glass windows added to the heightened feel of spirituality.

Compare

Architectural Engineering

Added:

• Buttresses to support outward thrust of an arch

• Piers or thin columns took place of thick columns

• Pointed arches transfers weight downward allowing for thinner walls

Flying Buttresses

Piers replaced thick columns

Pointed Arches

Compare the difference between barrel vault and groin vault

Chartres Cathedral Chartres, France, 12 C.

Interior of Chartres Cathedral

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Flying buttresses made tall walls possible With wider windows which held stained

glass

Chartres Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral

Stain Glass Windows replaced painted walls

Gothic Art Illuminated

manuscripts and frescoes and panel

paintings

Flat backgrounds More value More realistic, emotions

Italy did not adopt Stain glass windows-or Gothic style-kept Romanesque style instead used frescoes

Lamentation Pieta by Giotto di Bondone

Timeline

Early Christian AD 100-300

Byzantine c. 300-500

Romanesque c. 1000-1300

Gothic c. 1150-1500

c. 330 Roman Empire Divided

c. 532-537 Hagia Sophia Istanbul, Turkey

Early Medieval c. 475-1050

800 Pope crowns Charlemagne First Holy Roman Emperor

Pisa Cathedral Chartes Cathedral

c. 1454 BC End of

Byzantine Empire

Art of the Middle Ages Byzantine Romanesque Gothic

Art Mosaics, icons Frescoes, stylized

sculpture

Stained glass,

more natural

sculpture

Architecture Central-dome

church

Barrel-vaulted church Pointed-arch

cathedral

Example Hagia Sophia Pisa Chartres

Notre Dame

Date 532-37 1063-1350 12 C.

Place Constantinople,

Turkey

Pisa, Italy Chartres, France

Paris, France