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Early Medieval Art in Europe: c. 500 – 1100 CE

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2 Early Medieval Art in Europe: c. 500 – 1100 CE
-the roughly 1000 year span between the fall of the Roman empire and the Renaissance in the 1400s is called the Middle Ages; separating 2 golden ages -was a time of conflict between many cultures that developed in Europe during the reign of the Roman empire, but outside its borders -these cultures established the groundwork for most of the modern European nations we know today -though Rome no longer had imperial power, it remained the center for the Western Christian Church and therefore an important spiritual center for the era -art of the early period represents an amalgamation of Classical/Roman influence with “barbarian” styles Barbarians; people who could only “barble” Greek or Latin—basically not Romans

3 Title: Europe of the Early Middle Ages

4 -page introduces Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth
-Book of Kells; one of the most beautiful, original and inventive of the gospel books from the British isles that survives -page introduces Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth - Numerous pictorial and symbolic references to Christ throughout; his initials XPI, 3 angels on left = reminders that angels surrounding the holy family during the nativity -shows human and animal forms in the decoration Chi Rho Iota page, from the Book of Kells ; Cats and Mice with Host. Oxgall inks and pigments on vellum, 12 ¾ X 9½" Late 8th or early 9th century Celtic inspiration with the spirals; Germanic animal interlaces Shows monogram of Christ in Greek letters; chi rho iota = Greek letters that look like XPI; abbreviated form of Christ’s name in Greek XPI autem generatio = “this is how the birth of Christ came about” (autem written as abbreviation that looks like an h) Each letter is outlined and filled with decoration and the space between the decorations is similarly filled with decoration Numerous pictorial and symbolic references to Christ throughout; his initials XPI, 3 angels on left = reminders that angels surrounding the holy family during the nativity 2 cats menace mice eating a Eucharist wafer and they are in turn menaced by 2 more mice; metaphor for struggle between good (cats) and evil (mice) or problem of keeping the wafer from being eating in monasteries. Title: Chi Rho Iota page, Matt. 1:18 from the Book of Kells ; Cats and Mice with Host. Detail of Chi Rho Iota page, Matt.1:18, Book of Kells Medium: Oxgall inks and pigments on vellum Size: 12 ¾ X 9½" (325 X 24 cm) Date: Late 8th or early 9th century Source/ Museum: Probably made at Iona, Scotland / The Board of Trinity College, Dublin. MS 58, fol. 34r.

5 2 cats menace mice eating a Eucharist wafer and they are in turn menaced by 2 more mice; metaphor for struggle between good (cats) and evil (mice) or problem of keeping the wafer from being eating in monasteries. otter holding fish; fish; symbol for Christ because Greek word for fish, ichthus, comprises in its spelling the first letters of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior (in Greek)

6 -some cultures infiltrated Roman borders; Visigoths and Lombards
-both cultures produced excellent metalwork Visigoths: came from France into Spain by 6th century; adopted Roman Christianity -eagle brooch shows Visigoth metalworking skill with popular Roman and Christian symbol, the eagle Metalwork and manuscripts are most of what remains of the crafts the people outside and inside of Rome created; wood and fabric art disintegrated Eagle was an ancient sun symbol, a symbol of imperial Rome and later the emblem of St. John the Baptist Artist: Visigoth Title: Eagle brooch, one of a pair Medium: Gilt, bronze, crystal, garnets, and other gems Size: Height 5⅜" (14.3 cm) Date: 6th century Source/ Museum: Spain / The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore Eagle brooch, one of a pair Gilt, bronze, crystal, garnets, and other gems Height 5⅜“ 6th century Spain

7 -cross shows skillful use of precious materials and jewels
Lombards: -came from the north and settled in Italy, the heart of the Roman Empire -cross shows skillful use of precious materials and jewels -Byzantine form, made for Western Church using pagan stones; typifies turbulence of the period Cross is byzantine form—equal arms, widening at the ends with figure of Christ surrounded by a mandorla in the center More than 200 jewels, engraved gems and cameos were used; most showing pagan imagery Shows blending of the eras different styles; byzantine East form, pagan stones, made for the Western Church Artist: Lombard Title: Cross Medium: Gilded silver, wood, jewels, glass, cameos, and gold-glass medallion of the third century Size: 50 X 39" (126 X 99 cm) Date: Late 7th–early 9th century Source/ Museum: Church of Saint Giulia, Brescia, Italy / Museo di Santa Giulia, Brescia Lombard; Cross Gilded silver, wood, jewels, glass, cameos, and gold-glass medallion of the third century 50 X 39“; Late 7th–early 9th century

8 People Outside Rome: -Norse speakers, Germanic people, Celtic culture flourished in the North -animal style: dominated northern art, stylized animals like serpents, 4-legged beasts and squat human figures Scandanavia was never part of the Roman Empire Brooch shows more excellent metalwork from people outside Roman borders during the early Medieval Composition is symmetrical Animals shown in their entirety in profile or from above; hip and shoulder joints shown as pear-shapes, tongues and jaws extend and curl, legs end in claws—typical conventions of animal style Artist: Norse from Scandinavia Title: Gummersmark Brooch Medium: Silver gilt Size: height 5¾" (14.6 cm) Date: 6th century Source/ Museum: Denmark / Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen Norse; Gummersmark Brooch Silver gilt height 5¾“; 6th century Denmark

9 SUTTON HOO ART: Clasp & purse cover are the items we look at in this chapter Also attached to leather Millefiori technique From the same burial In 1938, Mrs. E.M. Pretty, a landowner in Suffolk, England, decided to investigate several mounds on her property

10 WHO??? The grave’s occupant at Sutton Hoo had been buried in a ship—measuring 90 feet long and designed for rowing, not sailing—whose traces in the earth were recovered by careful excavators. Both the wood and the hero’s body had disintegrated, and no inscriptions record his name. Function: Shoulder clasps from Sutton Hoo, discovered in the burial chamber of the ship. These clasps may have been used to fasten leather armor at the shoulders

11 colors: Byzantine Norse Germanic Near East
Was a ship burial—tradition also seen in Viking culture—ship 90 ft long filled with weapons, armor, and other equipment for the afterlife and luxury items. This purse lid was from a purse filled with coins Techniques and styles from many places represented on the lid; human beings flanked by animals: Near Eastern Hawks with curving beaks are Norse Bright colors are Byzantine East Interlacing, long-jawed animals are Germanic Artist: Anglo-saxon Title: Purse Cover, from the Sutton Hoo Burial Ship Medium: Cloisonné plaques of gold, garnet, and checked millefiore glass Size: length 8" (20.3 cm) Date: First half of 7th century Source/ Museum: Suffolk, England / The British Museum, London Anglo-Saxon; Purse Cover, from the Sutton Hoo Burial Ship; Cloisonné plaques of gold, garnet, and checked millefiore glass; length 8“; First half of 7th century; Suffolk, England -England was part of the Roman Empire and after the Romans left, Angles and Saxons from Germany and the low-lands of Europe, and Jutes of Denmark moved in -Anglo-Saxon literature is filled with references to elaborate jewelry; epic Beowulf describes a hero’s burial that was filled with treasure; such a burial was found with this purse lid in it

12 Page with Man,Gospel of Saint Matthew, Gospel Book of Durrow,
-Roman Christianity and monasteries flourished in the early Medieval period -monasteries become important cultural centers producing illuminated manuscripts -manuscripts are among the richest surviving works from the early Medieval; show influence of metalwork with their intricate patterns -Gospel books were essential for missionary work; used for education and to represent the splendor and glory of the Word of God -Book of Durrow illustrations represent influence from the many cultures of the time each of 4 gospels is introduced by a page with the symbol of its evangelist author; then page of decoration; then page of decorated 1st letters of the actual text figure reminiscent of metalwork; Irish or Scandinavian checkered pattern seems like millefiore glass like purse lid ribbon is continuous by changes colors; making additional pattern other pages, the ribbon turns into a serpent (like Viking, Norse style) Artist: British isles Title: Page with Man,Gospel of Saint Matthew, Gospel Book of Durrow, Medium: Ink and tempera on parchment Size: 9⅝ X 6⅛" (24.4 X 15.5 cm) Date: Second half of 7th century Source/ Museum: Probably made at Iona, Scotland, or northern England, / The Board of Trinity College, Dublin. MS 57 fol, 21v. British aisles Page with Man,Gospel of Saint Matthew, Gospel Book of Durrow, Ink and tempera on parchment 9⅝ X 6⅛“; Second half of 7th century Probably made at Iona, Scotland, or northern England

13 -in 711, Muslims from the Near East end Visigoth rule in Spain
-Muslims, Jews and Christians in Spain lived and worked together, while officially separated -another level of cultural/stylistic exchange in the Early Medieval; Mozarabic style -colophon: page at the end of a book with information about its production called mozarabic b/c the Christians living under Muslim rule were called Mozarabs (would-be Arabs) This colophon from a Mozarabic style text shows a 5 story tower of the Tabara monastery and a 2 story scriptorium—earliest known depiction of a medieval scriptorium Islamic horseshoe arches and geometric patterns on brightly glazed tiles--Islamic Artist: Emeterius and Senior Title: Colophon Page, Commentary on the Apocalypse by Beatus and Commentary on Daniel by Jerome Medium: Tempera on parchment Size: 14¼ X 10⅛" (36.2 X 25.8 cm) Date: Completed July 27, 970 Source/ Museum: Made for the Monastery of San Salvador at Tábara, León, Spain. / Archivo Histórico Nacional, Madrid. MS 1079B f. 167.v. Emeterius and Senior Colophon Page, Commentary on the Apocalypse by Beatus and Commentary on Daniel by Jerome Tempera on parchment 14¼ X 10⅛" Completed July 27, 970 Made for the Monastery of San Salvador at Tábara, León, Spain.

14 Carolingian Empire: 768 – 887 CE
Introductory video: -while Muslims controlled Spain, a new power emerged in Continental Europe led by Charles the Great (Charlemagne) -controlled Western Germany, France, Lombard kingdom in Italy, Belgium and Holland -sought to revive the Western Empire as a Christian state, and to revive the arts and education -enlisted monks to help with this revitalization -Charlemagne was endorsed by the Pope in Rome, strengthening the bond between secular government in the West (Europe) and the papacy in Rome

15 Vikings maintain control north of the Baltic sea after their defeat of the Carolingians and their fall to the Ottonians Carolingian Empire

16 westwork: church entrances traditionally face west
-this was Charlemagne’s private chapel and the church of his imperial court; a place for relics, and his mausoleum after he died -to satisfy all these needs, architects built a central plan building similar to San Vitale in Ravenna, but brought Northern influence to create Carolingian style—characterized by emphasis on verticality (building up) and dividing larger spaces into separate parts westwork: church entrances traditionally face west Artist: Carolingian Title: Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, interior view ; Reconstruction drawing of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen (Aix-La-Chapelle), Germany. 792–805 Date: 792–805 Source/ Museum: Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle), Germany Church of San Vitale, Ravenna c. 546–48

17 -made 3 level church to accommodate the king (second level) and the public visitors (ground level) and relics (third level); that looked like a tower from the outside -rich interior was covered with lavish materials; showing influence of Byzantine style; flat walls and angled piers contrast the flowing interior spaces of the Byzantine -northern influence brought towers into churches inspired by Roman predecessors -towers began to function as an outward and very visible sign of an imperial building Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, interior view 792–805; Germany

18 Abbey Church of Saint Riquier, France, dedicated 799 Engraving
-the Aachen Palace Chapel with its rotunda style was unusual in the Carolingian period -most churches followed the Roman basilica plan, often with a transept added -cloisters: arcaded courtyards linking the church and the living and working areas of the monastery -main church is the large one on the top; shows Carolingian variations of the basilica plan; many towers and multi-story westwork on left side, with structures of equal weight on the right side -many towers would have been its most striking feature—vertical emphasis was northern contribution to basilica plan churches 3 churches are shown in this engraving of a church destroyed by Vikings Basilica church shows side aisles, clerestory level; westwork on left Crossing tower over both the westwork and the transcept Title: Abbey Church of Saint Riquier, Monastery of Centula, France, dedicated 799 Medium: Engraving Date: dated 1612, after an 11th-century drawing Source/ Museum: Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris Abbey Church of Saint Riquier, France, dedicated 799 Engraving dated 1612, after an 11th-century drawing

19 Plan of the Abbey of Saint Gall (Redrawn), c. 817
last church included indication of the monks working quarters on a monastery—monks had special needs; life revolved around prayer and service in the church and work for the community this drawing indicates the complex structures and size of a monastery church includes space for numerous altars north of church are public buildings south side of church were private buildings buildings surrounding the church were workshops for the monks to pursue individual tasks monasteries were often larger than the local villages Title: Plan of the Abbey of Saint Gall (Redrawn), c Original in red ink on parchment, 28 X 44⅛" (71.1 X Cm). Stiftsbibliothek, St. Gallen, Switzerland. Cod. Sang. 1092 Plan of the Abbey of Saint Gall (Redrawn), c. 817

20 scriptorium: workshop where manuscripts were created; usually in monasteries
-Carolingian monks copied religious texts with the goal of making them error-free -handwriting had gotten terrible because of successive generations of copying -they reworked penmanship to create a simple, legible Latin script -every monastic scriptorium developed its own style in harmony with local artistic traditions

21 Carolingian Evangelist portraits
Godescalc: commissioned by Charlemagne; -style suggests the artists were familiar w/ author portraits from imperial Rome as shown in Byzantine manuscripts -some realism in the figure and the surrounding space, but it is disrupted by the awkward knee and reverse perspective of the furniture Artist: carolingian Title: Page with Mark the Evangelist, Gospel of Mark, Godescalc Gospel Lectionary Medium: Ink, gold, and colors on vellum Size: 12½ X 8½" (32.1 X 21.8 cm) Date: 781–83 Source/ Museum: Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris. MS lat. 1203, fol. 16 Godescalc ; St. Mark -evangelist portraits; shows evangelist seated at his desk writing a book of the gospel -3 examples show how regional differences affected the artistic styles

22 Coronation; St. Matthew
-Coronation gospels: reflects rediscovery of Roman realistic painting; shown in a naturalistic environment Title: Page with Matthew the Evangelist, Gospel of Matthew, Coronatinon Gospels Medium: n/a Size: 12 ¾ X 9⅞" (36.3 X 25 cm) Date: Early 9th century Source/ Museum: Kunsthistorische Museum, Vienna Coronation; St. Matthew Size: 12 ¾ X 9⅞" (36.3 X 25 cm) Date: Early 9th century

23 -Ebbo gospels; style associated with area in Reims, France
-very emotional and intense with swirling lines -focused on the saint’s inner fervor and spiritual excitement as he writes the word of God, rather than on his physical appearance Title: Page with Matthew the Evangelist, Gospel of Matthew, Ebbo Gospels Medium: Ink, gold, and colors on vellum Size: 10 ¼ X 8¾" (26 X 22.2 cm) Date: Second quarter of 9th century Source/ Museum: Bibliothèque Municipale, Épernay, France. MS 1, fol. 18v. Ebbo; St. Matthew

24 Coronation; St. Matthew early 9th century
Ebbo; St. Matthew later in 9th century Godescalc ; St. Mark late 8th century All made in regions of the Carolingian empire; all show the authors writing Coronation; St. Matthew early 9th century

25 most famous Carolingian manuscript; Utrecht Psalter
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. psalmist; sits in front of a table laden w/ food; holds a cup House of the Lord angel holds “rod and staff” and anoints head with oil since psalms are poems and don’t tell straightforward stories, (which makes them hard to illustrate), scribes developed a method of telling the psalm as a picture conveys the characteristically close association between text and illustration in Carolingian art Artist: carolingian Title: Page with Psalm 23, Utrecht Psalter Medium: Ink on vellum or parchment Size: 13 X 9⅞" (33 X 25 cm) Date: Second quarter of 9th century Source/ Museum: Universiteitsbibliotheek, Utrecht, Holland. MS 32, fol. 13r. enemies herd; by the still waters Page with Psalm 23, Utrecht Psalter Ink on vellum or parchment 13 X 9⅞“; Second quarter of 9th century

26 -illustrated manuscripts had equally elaborate, jeweled covers
-cross and crucifixion were common themes -jewels are raised which allowed light to enter them from behind, creating a lustrous glow -figures around the jewels recall the style of the Utrecht Psalter, while Christ’s realism recalls Classical sculpture Artist: carolingian Title: Crucifixion with Angels and Mourning Figures, outer cover, Lindau Gospels Medium: Gold, pearls, sapphires, garnets, and emeralds Size: 13¾ X 10⅜" (36.9 X 26.7 cm) Date: c. 870–80 Source/ Museum: The Pierpont Morgan Library, New York. MS 1 Crucifixion with Angels and Mourning Figures, outer cover, Lindau Gospels Gold, pearls, sapphires, garnets, and emeralds 13¾ X 10⅜“; c. 870–80

27 Viking Era: -in 843, the Carolingian empire was divided into 3 parts, ruled by 3 grandsons of Charlemagne -in 700s, seafaring bands of Norse seamen called Vikings descended on Europe and put an end to the Carolingian empire -Vikings raided and settled a large area from Iceland and Greenland in the north to France -impressive ships that could travel as far as 200 miles/day in good weather are their most lasting contribution to world architecture -came to an end in Europe south of the Baltic Sea in the 1000s when the new Ottonian Empire defeated them Viking Leif Erikson reached North America in 1000

28 Wood; length 75' 6“; c. 815–20; burial 834
ships used for burials (like the ship at Sutton Hoo with the purse lid) women as well as men were buried in them; this one had 2 women; Queen and her companion or servant; also 12 horses, several dogs and an ox were sacrificed to go with them to the afterlife Gripping beast: shows broad-bodied beasts that grip each other with sharp claws—seen on all kinds of Viking objects Title: Queen’s Ship Medium: Wood Size: length 75' 6" (23 m) Date: c. 815–20; burial 834 Source/ Museum: Vikingskiphuset, Universitets Oldsaksamling,Oslo, Norway Title: Gripping Beasts, detail of Oseberg Ship Queen’s Ship Wood; length 75' 6“; c. 815–20; burial 834 -Viking ships were used for travel, warfare and burials -ship design reminiscent of a sleek, sea serpent -carved wood (originally painted) shows “Gripping Beast” design

29 -Ottonians named for 3 principal rulers: Otto I, Otto II, and Otto III
Ottonian Empire: 919 – 1024 -Viking era ended south of the Baltic Sea in Europe in the 11th century when they were defeated by this Germanic power -Charlemagne’s grandson and his family who overtook the German and Austrian parts of the Carolingian Empire soon died out, leaving room for a Saxon dynasty to come to power -Ottonians named for 3 principal rulers: Otto I, Otto II, and Otto III -Ottonians defeated the Vikings, blended with the Lombard Kingdom in Italy and re-established Charlemagne’s Christian Roman Empire -this union of Germany and Italy under German rulers with strong ties to the Pope in Italy is sometimes called the Holy Roman Empire Ottonians and their successors dominated the Papacy and appointments to other high Church offices

30 Ottonian/Holy Roman Empire

31 -may have been part of an altar or pulpit in a cathedral, originally
-this ivory carving from the Ottonian period shows the unity of Church and state -may have been part of an altar or pulpit in a cathedral, originally -shows St. Maurice (an African Christian commander who refused to denounce Christianity in the 3rd century) with his arm around Otto I who is handing a model of the cathedral to Christ and St. Peter -hieratic scale accounts for the varying sizes of the figures Artist: Ottonian Title: Otto I Presenting Magdeburg Cathedral to Christ Medium: Ivory Size: 5 X 4½" (12.7 X 11.4 cm) Date: c. 962–68 Source/ Museum: One of a series of seventeen ivory plaques known as the Magdeburg Ivories, possibly carved in Milan / The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Bequest of George Blumenthal, 1941 ( ) Otto I Presenting Magdeburg Cathedral to Christ Ivory; 5 X 4½“; c. 962–68 One of a series of seventeen ivory plaques known as the Magdeburg Ivories, possibly carved in Milan

32 Church of Saint Cyriakus; Begun 961; consecrated 973; Germany
-Ottonian architecture tried to emulate the buildings of Christian Rome -locally trained craftsman could only struggle to comply; most didn’t survive -this church is based on a basilica plan with a westwork (a feature that takes on greater importance with the increasingly elaborate liturgy) -transept on east end and two towers on west gave the church a ‘double ended look”; considered characteristic of Ottonian churches Artist: Ottonian Title: Church of Saint Cyriakus Date: Begun 961; consecrated 973 Source/ Museum: Gernrode, Germany Church of Saint Cyriakus; Begun 961; consecrated 973; Germany

33 style of the illustrations is reminiscent of the Utrecht Psalter illustrations
architectural elements and natural details are only shallow reliefs behind the figures imagery pairs a scene from an Old Testament story with scenes from the new testament in an intelligent way temptation and fall from the garden of Eden (origin of sin) paired with the Crucifixion that freed man of sin, for example also shows Eve with 1st born Cain (who kills brother Abel) across from Mary with new born Jesus (pairing Cain and Jesus—evil and good) Artist: Ottonian Title: Doors of Bishop Bernward ; Schematic Diagram of the message of the Doors of Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim Medium: Bronze Size: height 16' 6" (5 m) Date: 1015 Source/ Museum: Made for the Abbey Church of Saint Michael, Hildesheim, Germany these doors from a late Ottonian Abbey were constructed under the supervision of a well-known goldsmith, Bishop Bernward; they represent the most ambitious and complex bronze-casting undertaken since antiquity

34 Judgment of Christ by Pilate

35 -figure is more than 6 ft tall
-Ottonian artists worked in ivory, bronze, wood and other materials, but not stone -like Early Christian and Byzantine artists they focused on Church furnishings and portable art rather than architectural sculpture (like Classical artists) -created large wood sculptures drawing on Byzantine, Roman, Early Christian and Carolingian influences that would have a significant influence on later medieval art -Gero Crucifix is one of few large works of carved wood to survive from early Middle Ages -figure is more than 6 ft tall -focus, like Middle Byzantine examples, is on Christ’s suffering Artist: Ottonian Title: Gero Crucifix Medium: Painted and gilded wood (oak) Size: height of figure 6'2" (1.88 m) Date: c. 970 Source/ Museum: Cologne Cathedral, Germany Gero Crucifix Painted and gilded wood height of figure 6'2" c. 970 Cologne Cathedral, Germany

36 -importance of gesture and gaze is a convention of Ottonian painting
-second gospel book made for Otto III in same scriptorium as the other gospel illustrates the painters’ narrative skill -shows Jesus about to wash Peter’s feet, though elderly Peter initially protested—the 2 figures gesture and gaze toward each other, carrying the meaning of the scene -importance of gesture and gaze is a convention of Ottonian painting -from this groundwork emerges the arts of the Romanesque and Gothic periods in Western Europe—next 3 chapters illustrations summarize the high intellectual and artistic qualities of Ottonian art; -drew inspiration from the past to create a monumental style for the Christian, German-Roman empire Artist: Ottonian Title: Page with Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples, Aachen Gospels of Otto III Medium: Ink, gold, and colors on vellum Size: approx. 8 X 6" (20.5 X 14.5 cm) Date: c. 1000 Source/ Museum: Staatsbibliothek, Munich Page with Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples, Aachen Gospels of Otto III Ink, gold, and colors on vellum approx. 8 X 6“; c. 1000

37 Pickin’ up what I’m layin’ down?


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