CAROLINGIAN ART Art of Charlemagne and his timeso Charlemagne was first Holy Roman Emperor, united

Europe Revival of classical art beyond the ancient world Charlemagne wanted to be emperor of “New Rome” bath

houses, theatres, a forum for his new capital in Aacheno Everything from coins to architecture

Churches are characterized by westworkso Sometimes accompanied by monastic buildingso Cloisters – open air courtyards, monks and nuns ate, slept

and worked around Continued medieval tradition of manuscript paintings

o Inspiration form Roman sources and contemporary Byzantine iconography

Equestrian portrait of Charlemagneo Modeled after Theodoric bronze statue, greatly admired

Theodorico Ultimate model was Marcus Aurelius

Mistaken for Constantine in the Middle Ages Overly large, ruler, not horse, is center of attention

o Unlike Marcus Aurelius, Charlemagne is on paradeo Wears imperial roles, crown, holds globe (world

domination) Proclaims “renovation imperii Romani” – Renewal of the Roman

Empire

Coronation Gospels, purple vellum Charlemagne was an admirer of learning, the arts, classical culture Loved books, had many made Saint Matthew page illumination

o Illusionistic brushworko Folds of drapery around formed bodyo Modelingo Roman accessories (toga, chairs)

Classically inspired painting was part of Charlemagne’s program to establish Aachen as the capital of a renewed Christian Roman Empire

Ebbo Gospels May have used Coronation Gospels as a model (manuscripts were

always copied, inspired by many Antique styles) Frenzied energy, writing frantically

o Hair stands on end, eyes wide, frenetic drapery, alive landscape

o Movement, very different than Coronation Gospelso Classical prototype with new Carolingian features

Utrecht Psalter Richly illustrated ink drawings of the psalms of the Bible Monochrome

o Artist wanted to make the book look “ancient” Highly legible script Rich visual imagery, anecdotal scenes of psalms

o characterized by agitated gesture and active violence Literal translation of the psalms

Lindau Gospels Many costly commissions Book cover made with gold and jewels and sometimes ivory or

pearls Glorified word of god but also evoked heavenly Jerusalem Created in book workshops of Charles the Bald Youthful Christ in Early Christian tradition, repousse

o Reminiscent of beardless, unsuffering Christ of 5th century

Palatine Chapel Charlemagne channeled Roman building techniques, traveling to

Rome and Ravenna for inspiration Inspired by San Vitale, imported porphyry columns

o Simpler plano Massive geometric form, harmoniouso Robust strength and clear structure foreshadowing

architecture of 11th and 12 c. Unique: Upper arches larger than lower, non-loading-bearing

columns, fill space Royal chapel

o Gallery with Charlemagne’s throneo Could look down on altar in apseo Spiral staircases, dramatic, appear in large framing arch

St. Gall Plan Construction and expansion of monasteries “ideal plan” for Benedictine monastery, 3000 people Commissioned by Haito, abbot of Reichenau in 819

o Main purpose: separate monks from laity (nonclergy)o Center dominated by church and cloister

Colonnaded garden, earthly paradise removed from world, monks ate, worked and slept around cloisters

o Uses “modules” (standard unit) of 2.5 ft., everything measured according to this (church length, bed length, path width, etc.)

Widespread adoption of basilican plan, but more complexo Ex: 2nd apse at Monastery church of St. Gall

Typial Carolingian church: 2 apses and elaborate westworko Transept (as seen at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s)o Transept equal width as nave, crossing = squareo Rational and order plan, crossing square becomes unit of

measurement for rest of churchTorhalle (Gate House)

3-arched opening (Arch of Constantine) Fluted pilasters on second story Carolingian patterning on walls Placed before entrance to a monastery

Westwork at Corvey Elaborate, tall towers at west end of building Greets visitors Castellum = castle or fortress Sole surviving example, top added during 12th c. Purpose: seats for visiting emperor, second altar (church within a

church)

Ottonian Art After death of Charlemagne, empire was divided up amongst his

grandsonso (Charles the Bald, Lothair and Louis the German)

Conflict gave way to an agreement that later became modern day territories of France and Germany

New line of Saxon rule: Ottonians, 3 Otto’so Monastic reformso Free of Viking attackso Preserved and enhanced arts and culture

Gernrode Architectures continued basilican churches with towering spires

and westworks but added their own features Heavily restored in 19th century, retains 10th c. character Ottonian touches

o Gallery above ground floor, below clerestory (???) Alternate-support-system – heavy square piers alternate with

columns, lead eye up, “verticalization”St. Michael’s, Hildesheim

Bishop Bernward – great Ottonian patron of the artso Tutor of Otto III, builder of St. Michaelo Studied Roman monuments and artworks in Romeo Avid scholar, lover of the arts

Constructed from 1001-1031, rebuilt after WWII Double-transept plan, tower groupings, westwork

o Loss of basilican eastern orientation, 2 centers of gravityo Entrances on the side

Modular approacho Alternating columns and archeso More open, less tunnel-like

Hildesheim Doors Bronze, perhaps inspired by Early Christian church doors 16 ft tall, HUGE in comparison to earlier small, portable works

o At entrance to the church so monks see it every time they enter

o Left door: book of Genesis (creation of Adam and Eve, end with murder of Abel by Cain

o Right door: story of Christ (annunciation, Christ after resurrection)

o Story of Original Sin and ultimate redemption, expulsion from Edenpath back to paradise through Christian church

Compositions derived from Illuminated manuscripts Reminiscent of Utrecht Psalter

o Adam and Eve’s accusation by Godo Embarrassment, shamed, hiding from wratho Simple but emotional

Hildesheim Column Spiraling relief, bronze column Tells story of Jesus’ life in 24 scenes

o Begins with baptism, ends with entry into Jerusalemo Column of Trajan, reads bottom to top ROME

Gero Crucifix MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE REVIVAL Carved in oak, painted, and gilded, 6 ft tall Reliquary: houses relics

o Compartment in the back held the Hosto Crack miraculously healed, magical powers

VERY different from Lindau Gospels covero Powerful emotions, all-too-human martyero Blood, closed eyes, face contorted in pain, body sagso Halo my foretell resurrectiono Most powerful expression of agony in the Middle Ages

Uta Codex Uta, abbess of Niedermunster Sumptuous book presented to convent by Uta Testament to the role women played in religion and the arts Dedicatory page:

o Mary with Christ in her lap, model for Uta and her nunso Uta’s head touches the Virgin’s medalliono Inscription: “Virgin Moth of God, happy because of the

divine Child, receive the votive offerings of your Uta of ready service”

Lectionary of Henry II Book of Gospel readings for Henry II’s death Annunciation of Christ’s birth

o Angel landing on a hill, wings beating, robes flyingo Overpowers scene, gesture of authority and instructiono Byzantine influence – goldo

Gospel Book of Otto III Otto III obsessed with Christian Roman Empire revival Died at 21, never saw his dream empire Ruler enthroned, scepter and cross-inscribed orb

o Clergy and barons at his sides