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Lesson 9

This document provides an overview of medieval art history from the Early Medieval period to the Late Medieval Gothic period. It describes three main periods: Early Medieval art from the 4th to 11th century featuring Byzantine influences and religious works commissioned by the Catholic Church. Romanesque art developed in 11th century Europe utilizing stone sculpture and architecture. Gothic art originated in 12th century France with innovations allowing taller, lighter buildings and more realistic sculpture and paintings that sometimes included secular themes. Representative works and artists are presented from each period.

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Mary Rose Jorza
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57 views

Lesson 9

This document provides an overview of medieval art history from the Early Medieval period to the Late Medieval Gothic period. It describes three main periods: Early Medieval art from the 4th to 11th century featuring Byzantine influences and religious works commissioned by the Catholic Church. Romanesque art developed in 11th century Europe utilizing stone sculpture and architecture. Gothic art originated in 12th century France with innovations allowing taller, lighter buildings and more realistic sculpture and paintings that sometimes included secular themes. Representative works and artists are presented from each period.

Uploaded by

Mary Rose Jorza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GEC 106- ART APPRECIATION 2022

Lesson 9
MEDIEVAL PERIOD (EARLY, ROMANESQUE, GOTHIC)

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify distinct characteristics of arts during the Medieval period


2. Identify the representative artist and arts during the Medieval period
3. Evaluate works of art using the concepts and ideas of that period
4. Create artwork guided by Medieval Period styles and principles

The history of medieval art is expansive and covers a wide range of centuries and genres. Medieval
art was prominent in European regions, the Middle East and North Africa, and some of the most
precious examples of art from the Middle Ages can be found in churches, cathedrals, and other
religious doctrines. Also prominent was the use of valuable materials such as gold for objects in
churches, personal jewelry, backgrounds for mosaics, and applied as gold leaf in manuscripts.
Art historians generally classify medieval art into three periods.

Early Medieval Art. Art from this period was created between the fourth century and 1050 A.D.
During this time, the Catholic Church and wealthy oligarchs commissioned projects for specific social
and religious rituals. Many of the oldest examples of Christian art survive in the Roman catacombs or
burial crypts beneath the city. Artists were commissioned for works featuring Biblical tales
and classical themes for churches, while interiors were elaborately decorated with Roman mosaics,
ornate paintings, and marble incrustations. A large part of the art created during this time was also
related to Byzantine work of the Eastern Mediterranean. It included a variety of media including
glass mosaic, wall painting, metalwork, and carved relief in precious materials. Byzantine art was
conservative in nature, primarily featuring religious subject matter, and much of it was characterized
by a lack of realism. Paintings in particular were flat with little to no shadows or hint of three-
dimensionality, and the subjects were typically more serious and somber.

Romanesque art took shape in the eleventh century, initially developing in France then spreading to
Spain, England, Flanders, Germany, Italy, and other regions. As the first style to spread across Europe,
it symbolized the growing wealth of European cities and the power of church monasteries.
Romanesque buildings were characterized by semi-circular arches, thick stone walls, and durable
construction. Sculptures were also prevalent during this time, where stone was used to represent
biblical subject matter and church doctrines. Other significant media during this period include
stained glass and the continued tradition of illuminated manuscripts.

Late medieval art includes Gothic art, which originated in the 12th century with the rebuilding of
the Abbey Church in Saint-Denis, France. Gothic architecture offered revolutionary structural
advancements such as ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and decorative pinnacles all contributing to
taller, lighter building designs. Similarly, Gothic sculpture borrowed motifs from the architecture of
the period since it was primarily used to decorate exteriors of cathedrals and other religious
buildings. Figures depicted in Gothic sculpture became more realistic and closely related to medieval
cathedrals. Paintings also became more lifelike, and with the rise of cities, foundation of universities,
increase in trade, and creation of a new class who could afford to commission works, artists started
to explore more secular themes and non-religious subject matter.
(https://www.invaluable.com/blog/medieval-art/)

Art Appreciation 36
GEC 106- ART APPRECIATION 2022

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. 537 AD


Byzantine mosaics at The Palatine Chapel in Sicily.804
AD

Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint John


the Baptist. Sano di Pietro. 1405 – 1481 Mosaics on the floor of The Torcello Cathedral in
Venice, Italy.

Detail of a Medieval window at Troyes Cathedral,


France. 14th century.

Gentile da Fabria . The Adoration of the Magi. 1370-


1427

Art Appreciation 37

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