MEDIEVAL ART

Period of Medieval Art

Medieval Arts - refers to a period also known as the Middle Ages, which roughly
spanned from the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. to the early stages of the
Renaissance in the 14th century. Work produced during this era emerged from the
artistic heritage of the Roman Empire and the iconographic style of the early Christian
church, fused with the “barbarian” culture of Northern Europe.
What developed over the course of these ten centuries yielded a diverse range of
artistic styles and periods, some of which include the early Christian and Byzantine,
Anglo-Saxon and Viking, Romanesque, and Gothic. Grand monuments and
architectural masterpieces such as the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, celebrated
mosaics in Ravenna, and illuminated manuscripts like the Lindisfarne Gospels all
emerged from the medieval period. Because the period produced a high volume of art
bearing historical significance, it remains a rich area of study for scholars and collectors,
and is viewed as an enormous achievement that later influenced the development of
modern genres of Western art.

Characteristics of Medieval Arts

- Subjects are mostly religious
- Figures look flat, stiff and have a little real movement
- Important figures are large
- Fully clothed, draped in deeply carved, stiff looking clothes
- Faces are solemn with little emotion
- Paintings use vibrant colors
- Backgrounds a single color, often gold, no interest in creating realistic space

History of Medieval Arts

The history of medieval art is expansive and covers a wide range of centuries
and genres. Medieval art was prominent in European regions, the Middle East and
North Africa, and some of the most precious examples of art from the Middle Ages can
be found in churches, cathedrals, and other religious doctrines. Also prominent was the
use of valuable materials such as gold for objects in churches, personal jewelry,
backgrounds for mosaics, and applied as gold leaf in manuscripts.
Though the Middle Ages neither begin nor end neatly at any particular date, art
historians generally classify medieval art into the following periods: Early Medieval Art,
Romanesque Art, and Gothic Art.

Early Medieval Art

Art from this period was created between the fourth century and 1050 A.D.
During this time, the Catholic Church and wealthy oligarchs commissioned
projects for specific social and religious rituals. Many of the oldest examples of
Christian art survive in the Roman catacombs or burial crypts beneath the city.
Artists were commissioned for works featuring Biblical tales and classical themes
for churches, while interiors were elaborately decorated with Roman mosaics,
ornate paintings, and marble incrustations.
A large part of the art created during this time was also related to
Byzantine work of the Eastern Mediterranean. It included a variety of media
including glass mosaic, wall painting, metalwork, and carved relief in precious
materials. Byzantine art was conservative in nature, primarily featuring religious
subject matter, and much of it was characterized by a lack of realism. Paintings
in particular were flat with little to no shadows or hint of three-dimensionality, and
the subjects were typically more serious and somber.
Viking Arts
- refers to the visual art produced by those of Scandinavian origin or
descent, both at home and abroad, during the Viking Age (c. 800–
1100). The term refers not to art in the sense of fine art or painting but
to decoration, for almost all the artifacts decorated with Viking art
styles also have a practical function—ornamental metalwork such as
jewelry being the most common because it was frequently deposited in
graves to accompany the dead. We also see Viking art on stone
monuments such as memorials and, much more rarely because of
poorer rates of survival, on wooden furniture and ships.
- Viking art is emblematic of the surprisingly ornate material culture of
the Northerners. Vikings loved elaborate decorations and they
decorated many of the things they used: weapons, jewelry,
runestones, ship woodwork and even their common, everyday items.
They loved abstract and intricate animal designs and multiple
interlacing lines. The animals depicted in their art include serpents,
horses, wolves, birds and unreal, fantastic animals. As the Viking Age
progressed, craftsmen varied the designs and six distinct but
overlapping art styles developed. Each style is named for an area
where a decorated object was found. We’ll take a look at each of the
art style:

Oseberg

The Oseberg style lasted most of the 9th century and appears in
some Viking religious iconography. Its main feature is the gripping
beast motif and sinuous animal forms. Paws grip borders, the neck of
the creature, other creatures or other parts of its body. The gripping
beast must have echoed something in the culture of Viking art as it
stood fast for a good 150 years.

Borre

The Borre style was named for a set of bridle mounts from a ship
burial at Borre, Norway. The Borre overlaps with the Oseberg and the
Jelling styles, periods specific to the Viking Age. While the gripping
beast remains, the sinuous creature of the Oseberg style now boasts a
triangular head, a cat-like face with round eyes and protruding ears.
This style appears to be purely Norse with no outside influences. It has
appeared in Iceland, Russia, England, which shows Viking art existed
wherever they went. Borre was prominent from the end of the 9th
century to the middle of the 10th.

Jelling

The Jelling style appears from the start of the 10th century and
continues for about 75 years. Stylistic animals are S-shaped and
intertwined, with profiled heads, spiral hips and pigtails. Borre and
Jelling overlap and occasionally both are used on the same object.

Mammem

The Mammem Viking art style emerged from the Jelling style and
was prominent in the last half of the 10th century. Almost naturalistic
lions and birds are featured as well as serpents and foliate patterns.
The name comes from a small ax head from a grave site in Mammem,
Denmark. The ax head was carved, then inlayed with silver. On one
side of the axe head is a foliate pattern and on the other is a stylized,
ribbon-like bird with tendrils on wings and tail.
 Ringerike

The first half of the 11th century featured the Ringerike style in Viking
art. Lion-shaped beasts still appear as well as plant motifs and foliate
patterns. Also during this time, runestones became more prominent
and were decorated in the Ringerike fashion. Ringerike animals are
exceedingly curvy and thin with almond-shaped eyes and thinner,
longer tendrils.

Urnes

The Urnes style dates from 1050 to the 12th century and gets its name
from a stave church in Urnes, Norway. Carved wooden panels reveal
sinuous animals interlacing and looping, with long eyes pointed
forward. Snakes and plants are also featured. The greyhound-like
creature appears to be fighting with a serpent.

Anglo-Saxon art
- refers to the various forms of art produced by the Anglo-Saxons in
England from the 5th to 11th centuries. During this period, the Anglo-
Saxon society underwent significant changes many of which are
reflected in the extant specimens of Anglo Saxon art.
- Early Anglo Saxon art, for instance, reflects the migratory period during
which the Germanic tribes of Angles and Saxons made their way from
Continental Europe to British Isles. As they settled in England and
created a veritable and powerful kingdom over time, the outlook of their
art evolved to reflect affluence and increased sophistication.
- Few extant specimens of Anglo-Saxon artwork remain today. Chief
among these is the architecture dating back to early and late Anglo-
Saxon period. The Bayeux Tapestry is considered a vital extant piece
of Anglo Saxon art. Commissioned soon after the Norman invasion of
England in 1066, the Tapestry reflects the style of embroidery
practiced by the Anglo Saxons and other aspects of their artistic style.

Metalwork

Metalwork was one of the preeminent Anglo Saxon art

forms. Anglo Saxon metalwork is considered one of the finest of the
time, popularly in demand on Continental Europe through different
periods between 6th and 11th centuries.

Anglo Saxons used precious metals such as gold and silver in

creating different products of metal such as shoulder clasps,
brooches, belt buckles and helmets. Anglo-Saxon skill in gold-
carving was known throughout Western Europe by the 10th
century. Many extant examples of Anglo Saxon metalwork have
been recovered from ship-burials of Anglo Saxon nobles.

Characteristics of Anglo Saxon Art

Anglo Saxon artwork was characterised by the use of

especially bright and vivid colours when it came to illustrated
manuscripts. Anglo Saxon metalwork was characterised by highly
intricate and fine work.
Important Facts

Anglo Saxon art was recognisable by the extensive use of colours

and brightness in artwork.
Anglo Saxon art originated with the Germanic Anglo Saxons in
England.

Anglo Saxon art dates from the 5th century until the 11th century.

Anglo Saxon art was influenced by the British Celts during the early
period and by the Franks towards the later period.

Anglo Saxon art can be seen in a number of museums across

England.

Top Five Examples of Anglo Saxon Art

Bayeux Tapestry which dates back to 1070s is an example of Anglo

Saxon embroidery.

Fuller Brooch which dates back to 9th century is an example of

Anglo Saxon metalwork.
 The St. Cuthbert Gospel which dates back to early 8th century is an
example of Anglo Saxon leather-binding decoration.

The Reliquary Cross which dates back to 10th century is an Anglo

Saxon reliquary cross with an ivory figure of Christ.

The Franks Casket which dates back to 8th century and contains
intricate carvings on a whale’s bone chest.

Byzantine
There are several Byzantine art definitions. One defined it as
art pertaining to the style developed and elaborated by Byzantine
and its provinces. As per definition, Byzantine art was chiefly
ecclesiastical, highly formal with the use of rich sumptuous tones.

Others said that Byzantine art can be defined as primarily

religious and imperial in nature, which was a result of the autocratic
yet religious nature of the Byzantine society. Other art historians
also believed that this was a result of the empire’s economic
structure where the wealth of the empire concentrated only in the
hands of the church and the imperial government, which may be
true at the time since the emperor of Byzantine acted as the head
of the church and the state.

Byzantine art characteristics

Byzantine arts were mostly concerned with religious
expression. One of the most profound Byzantine art characteristics
was the translation of church theology into artistic forms such as
sculptures, mosaics and paintings. These art pieces were produced
in such rigid tradition that resulted in a highly sophisticated artistic
style, which had remained unequalled in Western art.

However, Byzantine art was highly marked by the revivals of

classical aesthetics. Art historians believed that it was influenced by
new modern aesthetics later on. One of the characteristics of
 classical art was its closest representation of reality or at least an
attempt to mimic it.
However, Byzantine art characterized anti-naturalistic and
abstract ideas. The transformation which was said to have largely
taken place during the late antiquity had been subject to scholarly
debates throughout the ages. Other scholars attributed this shift in
style to the decline of artistic style and standards before the
Renaissance period.

Byzantine art Facts

The influence of Byzantine art of European art was very profound
and here are some supporting facts:
Byzantine art began with the foundation of Constantinople in AD
324 and ended in 1453 following its capture by the Ottoman Turks.
Byzantine mosaic has brought mosaic art to an unprecedented
level of power.
Painting of devotional panels became an important aspect of
Byzantine arts as the cult of icons played a very significant part in
both secular and religious life.
Byzantine workmanship in metalwork, ivory and enable were highly
prized especially during the middle ages.
Several Byzantine artworks were regarded as treasures of the
some Western Churches.

Romanesque Art
Romanesque art took shape in the eleventh century, initially developing in
France then spreading to Spain, England, Flanders, Germany, Italy, and other
regions. As the first style to spread across Europe, it symbolized the growing
wealth of European cities and the power of church monasteries.
Romanesque buildings were characterized by semi-circular arches, thick
stone walls, and durable construction. Sculptures were also prevalent during this
time, where stone was used to represent biblical subject matter and church
doctrines. Other significant media during this period include stained glass and the
continued tradition of illuminated manuscripts.
 Gothic Arts
Late medieval art includes Gothic art, which originated in the 12th century
with the rebuilding of the Abbey Church in Saint-Denis, France. Gothic
architecture offered revolutionary structural advancements such as ribbed vaults,
flying buttresses, and decorative pinnacles all contributing to taller, lighter
building designs.
Similarly, Gothic sculpture borrowed motifs from the architecture of the
period since it was primarily used to decorate exteriors of cathedrals and other
religious buildings. Figures depicted in Gothic sculpture became more realistic
and closely related to medieval cathedrals. Paintings also became more lifelike,
and with the rise of cities, foundation of universities, increase in trade, and
creation of a new class who could afford to commission works, artists started to
explore more secular themes and non-religious subject matter.

Famous Examples of Medieval Art

From religious paintings to gospels and exuberant architectural structures, there
is much to be collected and studied from the Middle Ages. The subsequent socio-
political currents throughout the world during this time led to an evolution of various
genres and forms of art. Below are some notable examples.

Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey)

Built in 537 AD at the beginning
of the medieval period under the
direction of Byzantine emperor Justinian
I, the Hagia Sophia epitomizes
Byzantine architecture. Though
originally built as a Greek Orthodox
Christian cathedral, it was repurposed
as a mosque after the Turkish conquest
of Constantinople in 1453, and today
stands as a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.
At the time it was built, it was the world’s
tallest building, known for its iconic,
massive dome.
The Lindisfarne Gospels
(Sold for £4600 via Dominic Winter Auctions, November 2017)
The Lindisfarne Gospels is an
illuminated manuscript and one of the
finest examples of Insular art, which
combines Mediterranean, Anglo-Saxon,
and Celtic elements. Assumed to have
been produced around 715 A.D. by
Northumbrian monk Eadfridth, the work
consists of the four Christian gospels—
Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John. The
text is copied from St. Jerome’s Latin
translation of the Christian Bible, also
known as the Vulgate.

Palatine Chapel (Byzantine mosaics at The Palatine Chapel in Sicily)

The Palatine Chapel was

completed in 804 A.D. as the remaining
component of Charlemagne’s Palace of
Aachen in present-day Germany.
Though the palace itself no longer
exists, it now acts as the central part of
the Aachen Cathedral. The building is a
dome chapel, considered an exemplary
vision of Carolingian architecture—
relating to the Frankish dynasty that
ruled in western Europe from 750 to 987
—due to its intricately designed core.
Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram (The Adoration of the Lamb from
the Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram)

Another notable example of illuminated

manuscripts is that of the Codex Aureus of St.
Emmeram. Was written in Purple Vellum by the
Monks Liuthard and Beringer. It was produced
for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles II (the
Bald) at his Carolingian Palace School in the
9th century. Richly decorated with gold
lettering and highly colorful illustrations, it is
one of the few surviving treasured bindings
from the period.
It was given by Charles to Arnulf of
Carinthia, who later donated it to St. Emmeram
Abby Because this was the age of Itinerant
courts, it was difficult for scholars to identify the
atelier where the manuscript was created, but
as frequently suggested, it was said to be
made in Basilica of St. Denis.

Notre-Dame de Paris (Notre-Dame Cathedral prior to the fire in 2019)

Perhaps the most famous of

Gothic cathedrals, the Notre-Dame’s
construction began in 1160 under the
Bishop Marice de Sully and has
undergone many changes since. With
its use of the ribbed vault and flying
buttress, complete with stained glass
windows and iconic sculptural elements,
 the church is vastly different from the
Romanesque style that preceded it.

Notre-Dame Cathedral suffered damage and deterioration through the centuries.

After the French Revolution it was rescued from possible destruction by Napoleon, who
crowned himself emperor of the French in the cathedral in 1804. Notre-Dame
underwent major restorations by the French architect Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc
in the mid-19th century. The popularity of Victor Hugo’s historical novel Notre-Dame de
Paris (1831), wherein the cathedral is the setting, was said to have inspired the
renovations. During a restoration campaign in 2019, a fire broke out in the cathedral’s
attic, and the massive blaze destroyed most of the roof, Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century
spire, and some of the rib vaulting.
President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to reopen Notre Dame by 2024, and he
has appointed a military general to lead the operation, which involves many government
agencies and has drawn philanthropic pledges of about €1 billion. But it is the LRMH
scientists who lead the critical work of deciding how to salvage materials and stitch the
cathedral back together. And even as they try to reclaim what was lost, they and others
are also taking advantage of a rare scientific opportunity. The cathedral, laid bare to
inspection by the fire, is yielding clues to the mysteries of its medieval past.
Notre-Dame Cathedral consists of a choir and apse, a short transept, and a nave
flanked by double aisles and square chapels. Its central spire was added during
restoration in the 19th century, replacing the original, which had been completely
removed in the 18th century because of instability. The interior of the cathedral is 427
by 157 feet (130 by 48 metres) in plan, and the roof is 115 feet (35 metres) high. Two
massive early Gothic towers (1210–50) crown the western facade, which is divided into
three stories and has its doors adorned with fine early Gothic carvings and surmounted
by a row of figures of Old Testament kings. The two towers are 223 feet (68 metres)
high; the spires with which they were to be crowned were never added. At the
cathedral’s east end, the apse has large clerestory windows (added 1235–70) and is
supported by single-arch flying buttresses of the more daring Rayonnant Gothic style,
especially notable for their boldness and grace. The cathedral’s three great rose
windows alone retain their 13th-century glass.
Medieval Artists
Early medieval artists which were predominantly composed of monks and priests
based in monasteries. According to historians, one of the finest early medieval art
pieces were the Irish and Anglo-Saxon illuminated manuscripts which were created by
scribes and monks from the scriptorium of abbeys and monasteries across Northern
England and Ireland.
However, artists from other walks of life began to emerge with the Renaissance
period. The first signs were observed in 775 at the court of the Christian King
Charlemagne. The king’s artists, calligraphers and miniaturists produced a number of
excellently crafted illuminated texts such as the Gospel of St. Medard of Soissons,
Lorsch Gospels and the Godescalc Evangelistary. By the mid-10th century designers
and architects erected hundreds of new churches and monasteries across Europe.
The most famous medieval artists were Donatello, Giotto, Leon Battista Alberti,
Cimabue, Filippo Brunelleschi and Fra Angelico to mention a few of them.