Medieval Art vs Renaissance Art Middle Ages Medieval

Medieval Art vs. Renaissance Art

● Middle Ages = Medieval Period ○ 450 AD - 1450 AD ○ Includes Dark Ages ● Dark Ages = Early Middle Ages ○ 450 AD - 1000 AD ● The entire Medieval Period was not the “dark ages” ○ There was still scientific discovery, experimentation, and invention, especially after 1000 AD. ○ Western Europe is the location of what we think of as “Medieval Times” (Knights, Kings, Peasants, etc. )

Book of Kells ● Famous medieval illuminated manuscript ● Religious - Gospel books of the Bible. ● Unknown artist(s) - Irish monks ● Called the “Most Beautiful Book in the World” ● Highly detailed, complex illustrations in bold colors

Medieval Art - Western vs. Byzantine ● Divided Roman Empire - sons of Emperor Theodosius ○ Western Roman Empire ■ ○ Byzantine Empire ■ ● ● Spoke Latin Spoke Greek Western Empire split ○ Unified by Pope/Catholic Church ○ Church supported artists Byzantine ○ Iconoclasts - against religious art (“false idols”)

The Homunculus or, “Ugly Baby Jesus” ● Medieval babies (specifically baby Jesus) are known for being “ugly” - often painted like “little men”. ● The idea of the Homunculus is the reason - they believed Jesus was a “fully formed adult” even as a baby. ● It was considered irreverent to represent baby Jesus as a normal, human baby.

Knights Fighting Snails - Medieval “Memes”? ● There is no definitive answer to the question of why Medieval illuminated manuscripts often feature drawings of knights fighting giant snails. ● Could have been an inside joke between monks/scribes - like a Medieval “meme”. ● Could have been a way to insult their past enemies - the Lombards. ● Snails could have represented the “slowness of time”.