Why was art during the Middle Ages often centered on religion?

 Medieval Art 5 th -15 th century ( A.C.E.)  The Middle Ages followed the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5 th century and merged into the Renaissance.

 The Middle Ages refers to the time period between the 5th and 15th centuries.  Medieval is an adjective that is used to refer to the people, places, things, and events of that same period.  It is correct to say medieval furniture, medieval art, medieval philosophy, medieval history, or medieval scholar.  It is not correct to say Middle Ages furniture, Middle Ages art, Middle Ages philosophy, Middle Ages history, or Middle Ages scholar.

Key Term: Medieval- of or relating to the Middle Ages.

Key Term: Middle Ages- the period of European history from the fall of the Roman Empire in the West (5th century) to the fall of Constantinople (1453), or, more narrowly, from circa 1100 to 1453.

 The Middle Ages can be broken up into several time periods:  Early, High and Late Middle Ages in Europe-  Religious Icons  Romanesque Art/Architecture  Gothic Architecture  Byzantine Empire-  Religious Icons  Byzantine Architecture

Video-Tice Art 1010 Medieval and Byzantine Art

@ Beginning of Middle Ages

 Romanesque structures featured round arches and heavy thick walls, small windows like the Roman style (necessary so the windows do not weaken the structure). A lot of sculptural decorations.  Gothic structures featured pointed arches and have slender feel as if they soar upward (to Heaven), large stained glass windows filtered in light and color.  Byzantine structures featured large Domes that cover soaring spaces, arches and lavish decoration.

 Rich colors  Heavily outlined  Flat and stiff figures showing no depth  Religious Icons  Architecture is influenced by Greek and Roman – Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic styles emerged from this period.  Mosaics replaced carved decoration  Large Domes central to the church

 Also called the “Dark Ages”  Characterized by decline in population, culture, trade, architectural and technological advances.  Christianization “age of Faith” influenced art and architecture.  Monasteries and churches grew in number, size and political importance.  Focus on Europe  Romanesque Architecture – 6c -10c

Art of the Early Middle Ages  Justinian as World Conqueror  Made of Ivory  Made in mid-6th century  1 ft. 1 1/2 in. x 10 1/2 in.

 Christ Enthroned with Saints  Triptych  Made of Ivory  Made in 950  9 1/2 in. x 5 1/2 in. high

 Ireland's Book of Kells, is considered to be one of the most beautiful illuminated manuscript that survives from the early Middle Ages.  It consists of four Gospels written in Latin.  Only two of its 680 pages are without color.

 10th -13th century (c )  Rapidly increasing population = boost in economy and political organization.  The Rise of Knighthood, Templar Knights  The Crusades –control of the Holy Land  Produced many forms of artistic works  Most notable - Gothic Architecture

 Glass Window from Troyes Cathedral,  Troyes, France

 14 th -15 th century (c. 1301–1500)  Great Famine of 1315–1317 and the Black Death, reduced population by half!  Social unrest, peasant uprisings, Hundred Years War  Conflict within Catholic Church  Despite conflict and unrest it was a time of great progress! A rebirth of interest in Greek/Roman ideals…turning into the “Age of Discovery” and then Renaissance.

One of the finest examples of gothic architecture and most well known churches in the world – Notre Dame de Paris  One of the finest examples of gothic architecture and most well known cathedrals in the world – Notre Dame de Paris

Key Term: Cathedral- the church that contains the bishop’s throne.

 First to use Flying Buttresses (Arched exterior support system to accommodate higher and thinner walls)  Famous for the use of water spouts, or gargoyles  Completed in 1345  The “rose window” contains symbolism – center is blessed virgin Mary and child who are surrounded by prophets and saints.

 Christ as Savior of Souls  Early 14th century  Tempera, linen and silver on wood  3 ft. 1/4 in. x 2 ft. 2 1/2 in.

 Madonna from the Annunciation   Simone Martini  Tempera on panel

Late 1400’s mural - dawning on realistic representations and attempt at perspective

 Byzantine Art  330 – 1453  Mostly Religious Icons  Used Ivory and Gold to show the strength and power of the empire  Byzantine Empire – capital city of Constantinople (modern day Turkey.)  Series of Monasteries were built on various sites sacred to religious events.  Most prosperous and powerful empire in the world during the empire.

 Known as one of the grandest examples of Byzantine Architecture.  A view of the dome  Constantinople, (Istanbul), Turkey  Made in

 Oldest known monastery  Mt. Sinai in the Sinai peninsula, the peak where Moses received the Ten Commandments  Due to Isolation, the Monks devoted much time to develop art which they believed showed their devotion to God.  The monastery has one of the largest collections of ancient illuminated manuscripts in the world.

 This icon is believed to have originated in Tuscany c  Influenced a wide number of paintings from the following century as well as Florentine sculptures from the 1440–1450s.  This version was in turn widely copied across Italy and northern Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries.  This work served as a bridge from Byzantine to Early Renaissance.

Key Term Clay- A soft, moist material used to create artworks such as sculpture and pottery.

Key Term Score- to scratch hatch marks into clay; to attach two pieces of clay together.

Key Term Firing- Heating clay to the required temperature to harden.

Key Term Kiln- The furnace in which clay is fired to harden it.

Key Term Glaze- A glass-like surface coating for ceramics that is used to decorate and seal the pores of the fired clay.

Video-Medieval Art History-Goodbye Art Academy