Medieval Art Architecture Byzantine Romanesque Gothic BIG IDEAS

Medieval Art & Architecture Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic

BIG IDEAS… Ü Nudes forbidden Ü Nudes were dominant in Greek and Roman sculpture, but in Medieval art, they were inappropriate because this focused on the physical body or ‘shell’ of the human form, rather than the soul. Ü Religion, religion & Icons, icons Ü Artists and architects were interested in the soul, God, religious subject matter in order to represent what was most important in society – one’s ability to guarantee their ‘spot’ in heaven Ü Spirituality created with light, space, colour, and sparkle Ü Painting, fresco, and mosaic saw more colour, stained glass was bold and allowed for floor-ceiling light, architecture allowed for Godly attributes and open, airy spaces abundant with decor

BIG IDEAS… Ü Byzantine (330 AD-1453) – Ü Eastern Mediterranean art that involves rich colour, elaborate décor, flattened/stiff figures, religious subject matter Ü Romanesque(1050 -1200) – Ü Roman-dominant European art that involves Roman architectural styles, pilgrimages, secular and deeply religious influences on art and architecture Ü Gothic(1200 -1500) – Ü The Pinnacle of the movement – Ü unprecedented in the world, defied the “Dark Ages, ” interior design is light/delicate, sculpture, décor, height + light, civic subject matter

Three Styles Characteristics: Byzantine Romanesque Mosaics, icons Frescoes, sculpture Stained glass, natural sculpture Barrel-vaulted Pointed-arch church cathedral Central-dome church Gothic IE. St. Sernin IE. Hagia Sophia IE. Notre Dame

How the Medieval Movement Began… Ü Religious and cultural shifts in Europe Ü Cultural leadership expanded throughout Europe Ü Christianity triumphed over paganism and barbarism (AKA people focused on religious belief, God, and living their lives according to God) Ü Growing interest in the afterlife, rather than life on Earth (people behaved to secure their afterlife) Ü The Dark Ages… Ü 550 -1100 – German tribes called “Barbarians” attacked regions in Europe and Africa and destroyed much of what had taken thousands of years to build

Emperor Justinian & Attendant “hung from pegs” - mosaic

Painted Fresco

Representations of Christ with halo

Madonna & Child, with evangelists

Madonna & Child

Byzantine Architecture Ü Central-dome church, roman elements (arches) Ü Emperor Justinian wanted to make the church as grand as his empire Ü Enclosed interior space, large, but little light Ü Hagia Sophia (Turkey)

Romanesque Architecture Ü Frescoes, barrel vaults, arcades for pilgrims to circulate without interrupting ceremonies Ü Rounded arches, stone vaulting Ü St. Sernin (France)

Gothic Architecture Ü HEIGHT + LIGHT Ü Pinnacle of Middle ages, technologically daring Ü Ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses, coloured glass, lots of light, pointed arch Ü Notre Dame (France)

Medieval Tapestry Ü Subject matter = minute details of everyday life Ü Most popular = a series of 7 works depicting a unicorn legend: Ü To catch the mythical beast, a virgin must be sitting in the forest as bait Ü Symbolizes fertility, courtly love, and the resurrection of Christ