1. Roman catacomb, 300s CE wall painting over a sarcophagus Giotto, Enthroned Madonna, 1310 Medieval Art 300-1400 CE From Grottos to Giottos

2. 0-300 CE We begin with the sense of the internal ---secrecy, symbols 500-800-- Dark Ages By the 5 th century, the Roman Empire is shaken with attacks, Rome falls in 476 CE. The security of the empire is shattered--- enter the “Dark Ages” between the rule of two great emperors, Justinian (500s) and Charlemagne (800s) Darkness 500 CE-----------------800 CE early Christian church Rome, 350 CE Roman catacombs, 250 CE 313 CE Emperor Constantine’s decree legalizes Christianity, beginning a long march of political and social power in the name of the Catholic church

3. Meanwhile, during these shaky times of the “Dark Ages,” Irish monasteries act as keepers of books Ireland Established early Christian monasteries independent from the uncertainties of Romanesque Roman Empire ILLUMINATIONS – manuscript illustrations Book of Kells, Ireland, 700-800s Tempera on vellum Geometric intricacy and abstraction

4. What would it take for our contemporary world to turn into chaos? “That nature is chaotic and that the artist puts order into is is absurd…” Willem de Kooning “Out of chaos, we make a world, a consequence of art…” Hans Hofmann Two views of abstract artists who emigrated to New York City after World War II

5. What values would we protect? Who would “keep the books”? Warhol, Liberty, silkscreen,1986 (Is it war or is it freedom?)

6. Charlemagne 742-814 CE (Charles the Great) 800 CE, Christmas Day--crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the pope Frankish king (Germany) Seat of power shifts from Mediterranean to the North---England, France, Germany Power for Charlemagne but also power for the pope Aachen (Germany) becomes cultural center Restored Latin as primary literary language Improved education for boys and girls Restoration of Greco-Roman learning and authority Although Charlemagne encouraged education for all, he himself was illiterate, signing his name with an X The term “ Romanesque ” describes the time period between 800-1100 CE, when buildings around Europe were constructed in the manner of the Romans-- -rounded arches, thick walls, little exterior decoration

7. Romanesque Illuminations transmit the sense of God without the knowledge of God Miniator- small scenes Rubricator— letters and numbers St. John, the Gospel Book of Abbot Wedricus, 1147 Letter Q, from Evangeliary of Abbey at St. Omer, c. 1000 “Listen and attend with the ear of your heart… Prefer nothing to the love of Christ” St. Benedict, 6 th century

8. Hildegard von Bingen abbess, poet, visionary--1098-1179 wrote songs and created illuminations in praise of God. Her mysticism might have been thought of as heresy if she had lived a little later in the Mid Ages. Migraines or visions? Receiving her vision 9 th -12 th centuries: Sensing is IN Knowledge is OUT Which way are you guided?? Do you like to “know” or “sense”? Hildegard, Universal Man, 1165 In her “Play of the Virtues,” an oratorio for women, the only male part is that of the devil, who cannot sing Do you think that Leonardo saw this when designing the Vitruvian Man?

9. Life After Charlemagne 870--remains of his empire are ruled by grandsons, Charles the Bald (France) and Louis the German (Germany) Weak rule, came under attack Although empires are collapsing, Church of Rome remains strong Increased authority of the pope Calls itself “Catholic” which means universal Much of the art is made in service to the Church Normans (from Norway, Vikings) took control of England, Ireland, Italy 962--Otto I, a Saxon king, is crowned emperor, Ottonian Empire Holy Roman Empire under German rule The Catholic church inserts its power---- Crusades begin in 1095 CE, an effort to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims --- lookout if you are the second son…. All non-Christians, including Jews, are targets

10. Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1073-1088 Describes the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror, coming from the coast of France to England, in 1066 CE Is actually an embroidery, 2 ft. x 230 ft. The Normans have shaved heads while the Brits have moustaches The sad fate of King Harold is a mystery….was it an arrow in the eye? hacking off his legs? Or a spear in his chest? Gives historians a true glimpse of costume and armor of the medieval age…now housed in Bayeux, France Well, it’s really an embroidery……

11. Norman William the Conqueror versus British King Harold Harold’s unfortunate demise…shown in triplicate eye, legs, chest

12. 24 dogs and 194 horses 553 birds and mythical creatures The Bayeux Tapestry is featured in computer game Diablo II as well as the movie, Shrek the Third

13. Narrative Art --- what’s the meaning of battle and valor?