Medieval Art
Early Christian Art Sarcophagus = Tomb Junius Bassus = Roman Prefect Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, 359 C.E. (Vatican, Grottoes of St. Peter) From the period soon after Christianity becomes legal Christ in the center with Peter and Paul youthful seated holding scroll different from later King-like Christ images Christ surmounting the Roman gods combination of naturalism & abstraction invention of new visual language for Christianity
Early Christian Art Basilica of Santa Sabina, Rome, c. 432. Ancient Roman Model of the Basilica main hallway = nave semi-circle at end of building = apse
Early Christian Art Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, 5th cen. Ancient Roman Model of the Basilica series of columns along nave = colonnade Nave mosaics = Old Testament stories Altar & Apse Mosaics = Images of Christ
Early Christian Art Ravenna = Capital of Western Roman Empire Former Roman port Galla Placidia = rules western Empire for her son Recycled Roman brick Mosaics = originals are intact The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, 425 C.E., Ravenna St. Lawrence or St. Vincent Christ as the Good Shepherd
Icon of Saint George ( The Black George ), 14th century
Icon of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, 1400-1450
Hagia Sophia, 537
Hagia Sophia, 537
Hagia Sophia, 537
Hagia Sophia, 537
Plan of Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia, 537
San Vitale, 547 1. What is different about the layout of San Vitale as compared to traditional Christian Basilicas? 2. What is an ambulatory? 3. What geometric shape dominates the design of San Vitale? 4. What are impost blocks and why are they significant to the columns in San Vitale? 5. What was the significance of Justinian and Theodora with regard to Ravenna? 6. Who is depicted in the Mosaic of Justinian? Why? 7. In what way is the sacrament of Communion incorporated in the mosaics of both Justinian and Theodora?
San Vitale, 547
San Vitale, 547
San Vitale, 547
San Vitale, 547
Emperor Justinian and his Attendants, San Vitale, 547
Empress Theodora and Her Attendants, San Vitale, 547
Carolingian Art Statue of Charlemagne, Paris, France 1. Aside from Charlemagne, what other names was the emperor known by? 2. With reference to the western empire, what was the significance of Charlemagne s crowning? 3. Who were the Franks? 4. Who were the Lombards? 5. With reference to Pope Leo III, why was Charlemagne crowned Emperor in 800?
Carolingian Art St. Matthew from the Ebbo Gospel 1. What is depicted in this portrait? 2. How would you describe the painting technique in this piece of artwork? 3. What is a codex? 4. In what ways does this painting attempt to incorporate perspective? Four Evangelists = Gospel authors energy Codex = alternative to the scroll (basically a book) perspective = foreshortening of leg St. Matthew from the Ebbo Gospel, 816-35 A.D.
Carolingian Art Lindau Gospel Cover Lindau Gospels Cover, 880 A.D. 1. What is a Triumphant Christ? 2. In what ways does this work incorporate classical themes? 3. What is the significance of the jewels in this work? 4. What is repousse? Triumphant Christ = divine nature, Christ who does not suffer Classical tradition/revival = drapery Significance of jewels = visual explanation for the language in the Bible Repousse = hammered sheet metal to create positive images
Ottonian Art Bronze Doors, Saint Michael s, Hidesheim, 1015 A.D. Bronze doors, Saint Michael's, Hildesheim 1. Who commissioned this work? Why? 2. What is depicted in this work? 3. Why are the order of the panels significant? 4. What method was used to create this work? Bishop Bernward = pilgrimage to Rome Story of the Old Testament (Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel) New Testament (Annunciation, Nativity, Adoration, crucifixion, resurrection) Panels provide order: temptation - crucifiction Christ is the new Adam, Mary is the new Eve Lost Wax method = single bronze piece
Romanesque Art Durham Cathedral, England, 1093 1. What events marked the beginning of the Romanesque Period? 2. What role did Churches as physical spaces serve during this time period? 3. What are the major characteristic or Norman or Romanesque Churches? 4. What is a rib-vault?
Romanesque Art Last Judgment Tympanum, Cathedral of St. Lazare, c. 1130-46
Gothic Art Basilica of Saint Denis, Paris, 1140-44 What are the main characteristics of the Gothic Style? Where was the Gothic Style developed?
Gothic Art Basilica of Saint Denis, Paris, 1140-44 Who was Abbot Suger? What is a choir? What was new about Suger s ambulatory? Why are pointed arches important in this architecture? How was light connected to the divine?
Gothic Art Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres, c.1145 and 1194-1220
Gothic Art Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, 1163-1345
Gothic Art Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, 1163-1345
Gothic Art Gargoyles, Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, 1163-1345
Gothic Art Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres, 1163-1345
Gothic Art Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, 1163-1345
Gothic Art La Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, 1248