Medieval Era in the Arts, Medieval Era in the Arts, Sculpture, and Sculpture, and ArchitectureArchitecture

Themes of ChristianityThemes of Christianity

Christianity: The Root of All Christianity: The Root of All Medieval Art Medieval Art

For three centuries For three centuries Christianity was in Christianity was in the shadows of the shadows of RomeRome

This triptych of St This triptych of St George records his George records his persecution after persecution after slaying the slaying the dragon, which dragon, which represented Satanrepresented Satan

St. George is one St. George is one of the first martyrs of the first martyrs of Christendomof Christendom

Christianity: Locus of Roman Christianity: Locus of Roman PowerPower

Constantine rendered Christianity Constantine rendered Christianity the state religion in 313 CEthe state religion in 313 CE

Under Constantine, the cross Under Constantine, the cross became the official symbol of became the official symbol of ChristianityChristianity

A vision of the cross while in battle A vision of the cross while in battle induced him to adopt this symbolinduced him to adopt this symbol

He won the battle over Maxentius at He won the battle over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge in Rome the Milvian Bridge in Rome

It came to be preferred over the It came to be preferred over the dove and the fish, both Christian dove and the fish, both Christian symbolssymbols

Christianity and the Christianity and the ScripturesScriptures

New Testament is divided into three sections with New Testament is divided into three sections with one subdivisionone subdivision

Gospels (Good News) : the life of Jesus according Gospels (Good News) : the life of Jesus according to St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. Johnto St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John

Acts: The spread of Christianity by the 12 Acts: The spread of Christianity by the 12 Apostles who taught the GospelsApostles who taught the Gospels

Epistles, mostly of St. Paul, whose letters entail Epistles, mostly of St. Paul, whose letters entail the interpretation of Christian doctrinethe interpretation of Christian doctrine

Apocalypse: the end of the earth, the return of Apocalypse: the end of the earth, the return of Christ to preside over Judgment Day, and the Christ to preside over Judgment Day, and the formation of the New Heaven and New Earthformation of the New Heaven and New Earth

Depicted Scenes: Birth and Depicted Scenes: Birth and Childhood of JesusChildhood of Jesus

The Nativity: Mary is reclining and Jesus is The Nativity: Mary is reclining and Jesus is swaddled in the manger with an ox and ass; Joseph swaddled in the manger with an ox and ass; Joseph is dosing offis dosing off

Adoration of the Magi: three kings from the East Adoration of the Magi: three kings from the East bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrhbearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh

Presentation of the baby Jesus at the Temple in Presentation of the baby Jesus at the Temple in JerusalemJerusalem

Murder of the Innocents: King Herod orders the Murder of the Innocents: King Herod orders the killings of all firstborn male infants under two killings of all firstborn male infants under two years.years.

Flight to Egypt of the Holy FamilyFlight to Egypt of the Holy Family At 12 years, Jesus debates the Jewish scholars in At 12 years, Jesus debates the Jewish scholars in

the Temple the Temple

The Ministry and Miracles of The Ministry and Miracles of JesusJesus

John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the River JordanJohn the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan Jesus recruits (“calls”) his apostles in several Jesus recruits (“calls”) his apostles in several

scenes, such as Matthew, the tax collector, and scenes, such as Matthew, the tax collector, and two fishermen, Peter and Andrewtwo fishermen, Peter and Andrew

Miracles, such as converting water into wine for a Miracles, such as converting water into wine for a bridal couple, the Transfiguration of Peter, James, bridal couple, the Transfiguration of Peter, James, and Johnand John

In a storm, walks on water; saves fishermen from In a storm, walks on water; saves fishermen from drowning and calms the stormdrowning and calms the storm

In Resurrection, he raises Lazarus, brother of In Resurrection, he raises Lazarus, brother of Mary, from the deadMary, from the dead

Passion of Jesus: Palm Passion of Jesus: Palm SundaySunday

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on a donkey, followed Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on a donkey, followed by the Apostles.by the Apostles.

Throws the moneychangers out of the templeThrows the moneychangers out of the temple Last Supper: announces that one apostle (Judas) Last Supper: announces that one apostle (Judas)

will betray Him and another (Peter) will deny Himwill betray Him and another (Peter) will deny Him Washes the feet of the Apostles to display Washes the feet of the Apostles to display

humilityhumility In the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas points out In the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas points out

Jesus with a kiss, and the Roman soldier seize himJesus with a kiss, and the Roman soldier seize him When confronted by the Romans, Peter denies When confronted by the Romans, Peter denies

knowing Jesus three timesknowing Jesus three times

Passion of Jesus: Trial and Passion of Jesus: Trial and CondemnationCondemnation

Brought before Caiaphas and PilateBrought before Caiaphas and Pilate Whipped (the Flagellation) Whipped (the Flagellation) Crowned with thorns (the Mocking of Jesus)Crowned with thorns (the Mocking of Jesus) Mocked for claiming to be King of the JewsMocked for claiming to be King of the Jews Condemned to die on the cross, a common Condemned to die on the cross, a common

Roman technique of executionRoman technique of execution ““Washing his hands,” Pilate turns Jesus Washing his hands,” Pilate turns Jesus

over the Jews (even though it’s the over the Jews (even though it’s the Romans who nail him to the cross.Romans who nail him to the cross.

Passion of Jesus: The Passion of Jesus: The CrucifixionCrucifixion

Jesus carries his own cross to Calvary Jesus carries his own cross to Calvary (aka Golgotha)(aka Golgotha)

There he is nailed at the cross in the There he is nailed at the cross in the presence of Marypresence of Mary

He is taken down from the cross and He is taken down from the cross and his followers mourn him (Lamentation)his followers mourn him (Lamentation)

Pieta: Mary mourning the dead Jesus Pieta: Mary mourning the dead Jesus lying across her laplying across her lap

The ResurrectionThe Resurrection Entombment: Jesus is laid inside a cave and a Entombment: Jesus is laid inside a cave and a

boulder rolled against the entranceboulder rolled against the entrance Enters part of Hell (Limbo) and leads certain souls Enters part of Hell (Limbo) and leads certain souls

to salvationto salvation Rises from his tomb after three days, the Rises from his tomb after three days, the

ResurrectionResurrection Mary Magdalene tries to touch him but he refuses Mary Magdalene tries to touch him but he refuses

to be touched to be touched Shares meal with two apostles (Supper at Emmaus)Shares meal with two apostles (Supper at Emmaus) Ascension: Rises to heaven in presence of his Ascension: Rises to heaven in presence of his

mother and the apostlesmother and the apostles Pentecost: gives the apostles the gift of tongues, Pentecost: gives the apostles the gift of tongues,

enabling them to preach the message throughout enabling them to preach the message throughout the world. the world.

The Annunciation and The Annunciation and NativityNativity

The Archangel Gabriel The Archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Saviourthat she will bear the Saviour

Upper Left: The Annunciation Upper Left: The Annunciation by A. Lorzettiby A. Lorzetti

Lower Left: The NativityLower Left: The Nativity In other scenes, the Christ In other scenes, the Christ

child is depicted with the ox child is depicted with the ox and assand ass

Joseph is often depicting Joseph is often depicting napping in the backgroundnapping in the background

Flight to Egypt and Jesus Flight to Egypt and Jesus among the Eldersamong the Elders

Flight to Egypt after Herod Flight to Egypt after Herod ordered the killing of male ordered the killing of male infantsinfants

Upper Left: a Giselbertus Upper Left: a Giselbertus relief of the flight in typical relief of the flight in typical Romanesque styleRomanesque style

Lower Left: Lower Left: Jesus Among Jesus Among the Doctorsthe Doctors by Giotto by Giotto

He debates with the elders He debates with the elders

The Ministry of JesusThe Ministry of Jesus

Jesus recruits the Jesus recruits the Apostles Peter and Apostles Peter and Andrew to be “fishers of Andrew to be “fishers of men”men”

Upper Left: Jesus walking Upper Left: Jesus walking on water during a stormon water during a storm

Lowe left: Raising of Lowe left: Raising of Lazarus from the dead.Lazarus from the dead.

The Last Days of JesusThe Last Days of Jesus

Upper Left: Last Supper; Upper Left: Last Supper; Fresco by unknown artistFresco by unknown artist

Site: 12Site: 12thth century church century church in Francein France

Lower Left: Crucifixion Lower Left: Crucifixion scenescene

Artist Gorelston Psalter Artist Gorelston Psalter (ca 1320-1330), Norwich, (ca 1320-1330), Norwich, East Anglia, England, East Anglia, England,

From Resurrection to From Resurrection to ApocalypseApocalypse

The Resurrection (upper The Resurrection (upper left)left)

Source: Piero Della Source: Piero Della Francesca, 1452Francesca, 1452

The apocalypse from The apocalypse from Giselbertus in Giselbertus in Romanesque cathedral Romanesque cathedral (lower left)(lower left)

Note that the saved are Note that the saved are at Christ’s right, and the at Christ’s right, and the damned to his leftdamned to his left

Roman Basilica Design: Roman Basilica Design: Floor PlanFloor Plan

Note the following:Note the following: Nave is located in the Nave is located in the

centercenter No transeptNo transept Only one nave (upper Only one nave (upper

projection)projection) Aisles on either sideAisles on either side Entrance on either sideEntrance on either side

Roman Basilica Design: Roman Basilica Design: InteriorInterior

Note the following:Note the following: Collonnated hall Collonnated hall

(columns (columns separating nave separating nave from aisles)from aisles)

Second story aislesSecond story aisles Entrance at far endEntrance at far end (Apse is back of (Apse is back of

this image)this image)

Romanesque Prototype: St. Romanesque Prototype: St. Peter’s BasilicaPeter’s Basilica

Note the following changes:Note the following changes: A transept has been added A transept has been added

to render structure the form to render structure the form of a crossof a cross

There is only one apse There is only one apse (upper)(upper)

An alter is added to the An alter is added to the front of the apsefront of the apse

The aisle and nave are The aisle and nave are retainedretained

Seating is added to the naveSeating is added to the nave

Medieval Architecture: Medieval Architecture: Romanesque ChurchRomanesque Church

Size of nave enlarged to Size of nave enlarged to accommodate pilgrims, accommodate pilgrims, commonplace in Early Middle Agescommonplace in Early Middle Ages

Eastern part of the church Eastern part of the church enlarged for chapels where small enlarged for chapels where small parties could worship undisturbedparties could worship undisturbed

Salient features: rounded arches, Salient features: rounded arches, thick walls, large towers, and thick walls, large towers, and decorative arcadingdecorative arcading

Most of them were abbey Most of them were abbey churcheschurches

They generally dominated the They generally dominated the countrysidecountryside

Romanesque Cathedrals: Romanesque Cathedrals: SizeSize Romanesque cathedrals Romanesque cathedrals

tended to be smalltended to be small Often, they were placed in Often, they were placed in

rural localitiesrural localities This was ideal for pilgrims This was ideal for pilgrims

who needed a place to stay who needed a place to stay and worshipand worship

They were also ideal for They were also ideal for monks, who needed to monks, who needed to meditate, conduct their meditate, conduct their work, and grow food for work, and grow food for themselves and any visitorsthemselves and any visitors

Note the absence of windows Note the absence of windows at Leuchars Church, Scotland at Leuchars Church, Scotland (left)(left)

Romanesque Design From Romanesque Design From HellHell

These sculptures by Giselbertus These sculptures by Giselbertus add to the dark images of the add to the dark images of the Judgment at the Cathedral of St. Judgment at the Cathedral of St. Lazarus, Autun, FranceLazarus, Autun, France

Upper left: Pilgrims trudge Upper left: Pilgrims trudge toward Santiago toward Santiago

Lower left: Old Moneybags gets Lower left: Old Moneybags gets his comeuppance from these his comeuppance from these disembodied clawsdisembodied claws

The small windows (or none at The small windows (or none at all) added to the gloom of this all) added to the gloom of this Cathedral and its themes of the Cathedral and its themes of the Judgment, damnation, and death Judgment, damnation, and death

Chartres CathedralChartres Cathedral

A classic Gothic A classic Gothic cathedral is this one at cathedral is this one at Chartres, FranceChartres, France

The cathedral is 200 The cathedral is 200 feet high; cathedrals feet high; cathedrals competed for height competed for height until the one at Amiens until the one at Amiens collapsed at 298 feetcollapsed at 298 feet

The cathedral was the The cathedral was the social center for every social center for every citycity

Medieval Architecture: Gothic Medieval Architecture: Gothic CathedralsCathedrals

They were abstract, symbolic, and They were abstract, symbolic, and expressive linearityexpressive linearity

Colorful and highly decorativeColorful and highly decorative The rounded arch was replaced by The rounded arch was replaced by

the pointed arch (upper left, Riems the pointed arch (upper left, Riems Cathedral, France)Cathedral, France)

The ribbed vault appears at the The ribbed vault appears at the ceiling of the church (lower left; San ceiling of the church (lower left; San Zanipolo, Venice)Zanipolo, Venice)

The flying buttress transfers the The flying buttress transfers the weight of the vault to a buttress weight of the vault to a buttress outside the buildingoutside the building

They involved the extensive use of They involved the extensive use of stained glass windowsstained glass windows

Why Flying Buttresses?Why Flying Buttresses? Gothic cathedrals were Gothic cathedrals were

tall and therefore tall and therefore heavierheavier

Often, earlier Gothic Often, earlier Gothic cathedrals collapsed on cathedrals collapsed on their own weighttheir own weight

The buttresses The buttresses transferred the heavier transferred the heavier weight of the arches or weight of the arches or vaults to outside vaults to outside structures such as structures such as posts (see diagram)posts (see diagram)

Flying Buttress at Chartres Flying Buttress at Chartres CathedralCathedral

This flying buttress, at This flying buttress, at Chartres Cathedral, was Chartres Cathedral, was a prototypea prototype

Note that the weight Note that the weight was transferred through was transferred through the diagonal structures the diagonal structures to the post on the leftto the post on the left

They could be They could be decorative as well as decorative as well as functional functional

Height of Gothic InteriorHeight of Gothic Interior

The height of the walls The height of the walls was enabled by the was enabled by the flying buttress outside flying buttress outside

This produced an awe-This produced an awe-inspiring sight.inspiring sight.

Light from the inside Light from the inside and the stained glass and the stained glass windows contributed to windows contributed to this environmentthis environment

Lighting, Gothic CathedralsLighting, Gothic Cathedrals

Lighting was another Lighting was another feature of Gothic feature of Gothic churcheschurches

As this interior of Notre As this interior of Notre Dame cathedral shows, Dame cathedral shows, lighting induced a divine lighting induced a divine presence presence

This was a vivid contrast This was a vivid contrast with the dark, with the dark, windowless interior of windowless interior of Romanesque cathedrals Romanesque cathedrals and churchesand churches

Lighting and Stained Glass Lighting and Stained Glass WindowsWindows

As this row of windows show in Milan, biblical scenes As this row of windows show in Milan, biblical scenes came to life. came to life.

They produced a feeling of the presence of God HimselfThey produced a feeling of the presence of God Himself

ConclusionConclusion Artwork was thematic of the Scriptures and Life of Artwork was thematic of the Scriptures and Life of

ChristChrist Your book and the samples illustrate these Your book and the samples illustrate these

themes, which continued into the early themes, which continued into the early RenaissanceRenaissance

The cathedrals had a functionThe cathedrals had a function Romanesque accommodated the pilgrims from Romanesque accommodated the pilgrims from

France to Santiago in SpainFrance to Santiago in Spain They also became the residences of monks, They also became the residences of monks,

starting with the Benedictine orderstarting with the Benedictine order Gothic cathedrals became the centers of city Gothic cathedrals became the centers of city

activity, as reflected in their height and lighting. activity, as reflected in their height and lighting.