History of Art Final Units 9-12
Describe the decoration of Gothic Cathedrals. How are architecture and decoration merged? Describe some of the stylistic approaches taken by Gothic Sculptors What kinds of themes are depicted on the exteriors of Gothic Cathedrals?
- the naval elevation is turned into art, especially with stained glass windows- all about openness and lightness, pointed arches and flying buttresses transfer weight so more windows instead of walls- stylistic approach: elongated, columnal figures on one side, more realistic and independent on the other, stoic imagery, classical draperies, colorful What kinds of themes are depicted on the exteriors of Gothic Cathedrals?
What are the primary structural and stylistic characteristics of Gothic architecture?
-Strong focus on the vertical, height was very important.-very elaborate exterior decor: rose windows, portals, arches, texture, buttresses-strong sense of "honesty" because this style does not hide the structural elements (embraces them)-merging of architecture and decoration-St. Denis intended to be the "Image of Heaven"
-How did the incorporation of spolia help the Ottonian rulers create connections with the past?-How do Ottonian typological portraits work?-How does the Lothar cross refer to other art objects commissioned by Otto, and to ritualized historical events from Otto's reign?
-gift from Otto 111-made of wood covered in gold-Roman object passed down through generations-Augustus, bringer of peace in center, emperor when Christ was crucified appears counterintuitive to place a Roman on a Christian cross-recreate glory of Roman Empire-Otto reimagines himself in artwork as various great people-dead body used as crucifixion Oto 3-used old art such as portrait of augustus to take parts of rome and its empire and show how the rulers were similar to them they also did this to connect Jesus and Charlemage-displayed the king, Otto 111 that contained elemetns of roman emperors such as the staff and orb, as well as Christ witht the three wise men when his subjugated territories present gifts-look alike to show lineage (otto 123)-2 priests to spears to show church and state like Justinian-Reinacts Roman empire ritual, Augustus opens Alex Great tomb, Otto 3rd reinacts, would make him like Augustus, has vision God told him to pry up flood stones, body hasn't decayed at all, saint, sweet smell from grave, otto kneels, removes cross necklace, puts on himself, nose decayed, reach in pocket and pulls out gold nose, on Charlemagne, new robes, teeth out of jaw puts flowes and closes it-wants to to be like alex great, augustus, charlegmange,-puts himself in gospels instead of evangelist-shows himself as roman empire, purple cloack, hold orb earth in hand, roman thing: staff with bird on it-shown as Christ, figures shown offering gifts like three wise men,Typoological portrait--> portrait pof person as 3, Roman emperor, Otto3, and Christ all in one-altar cross, gift, cameo, carved by romans, roman object passed down through several emperors-belonged to Augustus-Chrisitan altar corss, center has roman emperor.-Otto gives to church inheriting power of roman empire-back of image is Christ, Otto as Christ and augusutsAugust in cameo holding staff with bird same as otto holds staff with bird
How do ugly or beautiful, peaceful or violent works differently engage their viewers through devotion and prayer? What was the function of emotion in these works?
-intense emotional response-icons-changes in christianity
What are the characteristics (style, materials, etc.) of the artwork being made inEngland before its conversion to Christianity?-How were these indigenous forms incorporated into new Christian works? How did this clash of cultures play out in different ways in early medieval manuscripts? How was style manipulated to enhance conversion through these works?-What kinds of decoration are usually found in a Gospel Book? What might have been some of the functions of the carpet page from the Lindisfarne Gospels - how would it have been used in devotion?
-made in monastery-evangelist portraits, carpet pages, initial page of Gospel-Evangelist portrait of Mathew, some 3D to his body but face is stylized, abstract scene-incredible artworks on carpet page and initial page, huge amount of detail and the person who wrote all words added in décor-carpet page, sign of cross placed in middle, shows balance between order and chaos because of the cross almost popping out at you and everywhere else it is a mess of snakes intertwining with one another-symmetery is bilateral in some palces and symmetrical along other angles-object was showpiece at the monastery wouldn't have been used for everyday mass-may be kind of prayer not only to make carpet page but to look upon it too-can be a mind clearing exercise, to get in spiritual mood before you read the word of God-cross and symbol of Christianity hold everything together aginst chaos and world-made with straight edge and compass-takes 5 years to make-mostly small metal work small interlocking designs, geometric styles, solid colors, reduction of form is very stylized-they were used in the carpet page with the interlocking designs, the simplified style was used in all forms of decoration in the earlier works, this clash of culture played out in multiple ways such that the books used in Europe contained art similar to the region where as books sent back used the original style they used the local art styles so that the books would be more appealing to the people while still conveying the holiness and message to the locals-decorations included the carpet pages, gospel pages, initial pages and the cover made of a nice leather, initial page and carpet pages are found in a gospel book-carpet page was said to be a balance between chaos and order witht the sign of the corss in middle and snales intertwinded throughout. you were supposed to trace the lines on the page in order to get yourself in the spiritual mood before reading the gospels
-Describe the Moralized Bibles. What was the significance of their unusual format? What else was unique about them?-Describe the significance the imagery on the frontispiece and dedication page.-What kinds of things are conveyed by the "moralizations" in these bibles? How do they help to shed light on contemporary social issues?
-picture bible with 5000 illustrations per book only 7 ever made-for france royalty-condensed stories, not bibilical text-commentary to explain-comments on particular social issues-monk dictates words and phrases, reading to scribe, shown making images, dedication page, made for king to educate him-childrens bible-frontpiece is god creating earth-some straight forward pages others commenting on social issues-connects old and new testament-meaning of bible and real worldcontemporary gloss- stories used to explain significance of bibilical story and is made up-homosexuality depicted, current issue at timeshown in genesis, 2 same sex couples show below image of adam and eve joining together to describe sexual sin of homos at the time-shows result of original sin of apple-snake, human headed female snaek seducing eve-God casts eve and adam, below is god threatening sinners-this moralization isn't encodied in bibleLouis IX educated with this book, as he becomes king and Christianreal world consequences, illegalJews--> moralized bible much stronger persecution during Louis reign-anti jews on every page-priest expels Miriam for talking bad about moses, pope expels jews-Louis collected jewish books and burned them in a massive bonfire in france
Describe the Moralized Bibles. What was the significance of their unusual format? What else was unique about them? -Describe the significance the imagery on the frontispiece and dedication page.-What kinds of things are conveyed by the "moralizations" in these bibles? How do they help to shed light on contemporary social issues?
-picture bible with 5000 illustrations per book only 7 ever made-for france royalty-condensed stories, not bibilical text-commentary to explain-comments on particular social issues-monk dictates words and phrases, reading to scribe, shown making images, dedication page, made for king to educate him-childrens bible-frontpiece is god creating earth-some straight forward pages others commenting on social issues-connects old and new testament-meaning of bible and real worldcontemporary gloss- stories used to explain significance of bibilical story and is made up-homosexuality depicted, current issue at timeshown in genesis, 2 same sex couples show below image of adam and eve joining together to describe sexual sin of homos at the time-shows result of original sin of apple-snake, human headed female snaek seducing eve-God casts eve and adam, below is god threatening sinners-this moralization isn't encodied in bibleLouis IX educated with this book, as he becomes king and Christianreal world consequences, illegalJews--> moralized bible much stronger persecution during Louis reign-anti jews on every page-priest expels Miriam for talking bad about moses, pope expels jews-Louis collected jewish books and burned them in a massive bonfire in france
Why is material value important to monarchs and courts, and how is value created? -Describe the architecture and decoration of the Sainte-Chapelle. How and why wasthis building created as a monumental shrine or reliquary? How can we characterize its architectural significance?-What kinds of art objects (besides architecture and stained glass) was Gothic Paris known for? What were some of the stylistic characteristics of objects made for the "court" setting?
-relics cost more than the created of the reliquary and the cost of the buildings and windows, shows where medieval people put their value-largest gothic windows ever created-decorated on every surface-transfer power to French monarch, Paris surpassing other places in Europe,-church emphasizes to look like a reliquary itself BC of the different colors on the stained glass windows that looked like jewels when light shined thorugh them, stone ceiling was painted deep blue with gold stars which made it look like you were inside a reliquary-this building is created as a monumental shrine or reliquary because it is small and decorative, the space is simple like a big roomLLARGEST WINDOWS EVER- France had guilds for painters ivory comb makes gold, dice makers, chessboard makers etc, the French court was associated with rfined figures, graceful poses, ivory was thought to be the purest, most well refined material-they were also known for the IVORY virgin and ivory diptych book to pray with , these kept in chapel-ivory virgins were places on a stand and ppl in chapel would go up and pray to them
reliquary
A container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)
cloisonne enamel
A decorative metalwork technique employing cloisons; also, decorative brickwork in later Byzantine architecture.
ribbed groin vault
A groin vault which has ribs added for structural support and decoration.
pilgrimage
A journey to a place considered sacred for religious purposes.
Cames
A lead strip in a stained-glass window that joins separate pieces of colored glass.
Pieta
A painted or sculpted representation of the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of the dead Christ.
pointed arch
An arch with a pointed crown, characteristic of Gothic architecture.
idol/idolatry
Any false god or representation of a false god. The worship of idols.
cameo
Any small engraved or carved work in relief.
Internal Typology
Comparing events that happened in the same story like different pieces of art in one stained glass window (stained glass of Prodigal Son)
Trinity
Father, Son, Holy Spirit
gospels
Four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
carpet page
In early medieval manuscripts, a decorative page resembling a textile.
radiating chapels
In medieval churches, chapels for the display of relics that opened directly onto the ambulatory and the transept.
furta sacra
Latin for "holy theft"
Imitatio Christi
Latin for "the imitation of Christ." The belief that Christians ought structure their spiritual and moral lives around the imitation of Jesus Christ.
primary versus secondary relic
Primary relics are parts of the body of the saint, whereas secondary relics are objects that have been in contact and/or used by the saint.
Describe the materials and visual motifs found on the mantle of Roger II. What can we learn about the production of this artwork from the inscription found at its edge?
Red silk, embroidery of gold thread, flanking lions attacking a camel, tree of life/palm tree, inscription in arabic. Also has endorsed figures. Also has precious stones and pearls to show power and wealth. The arabic writing shows that arabic crafts men were called in to help make the mantle
What are some of the different shapes/designs for medieval reliquaries? How do these designs work in different ways to "make visible" the relic inside? What are some of the meanings of the decoration and the precious stones that cover medieval reliquaries?
Some of the different shapes and designs used in medieval reliquaries were commonly shaped in the form of what was given of the Saint. If the saint gave a finger, the relic would be in the form of a finger, if it was a piece of the arm, the relic would be in the shape of a arm. Some relics even allowed the viewers to actually see the body part as a way to express worship prayer directly to it, and to create more of a different shape like a cross or a carriage to create meaning or religious belief towards the person praying or worshipping towards it. Some of the meaning of the stones placed help to dignify that what lays inside the relics is far more precious and valuable then what is seen or describe on the outside.
Rayonnant Gothic
Style of architecture occurring in the late High Gothic period that included radiating bar tracery.
How do viewers interact with the reliquary statue of St Foy at Conques? How do the visual aspects of the reliquary structure this interaction? How would viewers interact with a relic than with an icon, and how are the two different in the ways that we evoke the presence of the divine?
The Reliquary Statue of St Foy is seen as a treasure that would bring miracles to the villagers. Most of the villagers had relics hidden in their attics, much like this one. The relic actually had candle holders in her hands so that way viewers could come to her at any time and were able to see her for prayer or worship. Viewers could actually witness actual images or pieces of Saints through the relics and worshipped them through that as some viewers actually provided pieces of gems, or precious stones to put on the relics, much like St Foy, while icons were mental images of what was believed to be the Saints and limited the divine power of it as it was not in 3D.
What are the architectural features of the "classic" type of Romanesque Pilgrimage church (i.e. the churches at Toulouse and Conques)? How did their form respond to their needs of the people that used them?
The architectural features of the classical Romanesque Pilgrimage church held a wider nave and transept for more people to attend the Mass that was continuously being performed on the apse, while the aisles were continuous as well, allow all the passing pilgrims to enter and observe the relics along the outskirts of the apse and radiating chapel, while constantly moving forward. This allowed the pilgrims to easily enter and pray among the relics and then follow the aisle all the way back out the front door without interrupting the mass or other traffic behind them.
crossing square
The area in a church formed by the intersection (crossing) of a nave and a transept of equal width, often used as a standard module of interior proportion.
mantle
The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core.
moralized bible
a Bible in which the Old and New Testament stories are paralleled with one another in illustrations, text, and commentary
flying buttress
a buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch
florilegium
a collection of literary pieces; anthology
relic
a custom or object that has been around for a very, very long time
sardonyx
a difficult stone to carve that has many layers of white and purple
Mendicant Orders
a unique variety of religious order that developed in the 13th century
barrel vault
a vault forming a half cylinder
tapestry
a wall hanging of heavy handwoven fabric with pictorial designs
continuous narrative
a work of art that contains several scenes of the same story painted or sculpted in a single frame
embroidery
a woven product in which the design is stitched into a premade fabric
How does the decoration draw on both Islamic and Byzantine aesthetics (and what does this say about the court of Roger II)? What was the function of this object? In what architectural space would it have been seen/encountered/displayed?
adorsed figures are commonly found in islamic art as well as the arabic inscription. And the gold and enamel work show that it also has byzantine aspects. He was part of the fraternity of princes exchanges lots of art, but also shows age of mobility, also shows how well respected and honored he is that so many different people came together to make it for him. It is meant to be worn would have been worn by king in a palace or for very special occasions and ceremonies, outward sign of kingship.
waqf
an endowment made by a Muslim to a religious, educational, or charitable cause.
portal
an entrance, door or gate
typological portrait
an image that represents many people at once
Devotional Art
art produced to provide a focal point for worship. Devotional art is made increasingly for private clientele as the Renaissance gains pace, although major church commissions continue as well.
-How can we characterize the narrative choices in the Bayeux Tapestry? How is the meaning/content of the work conveyed to viewers? What was the experience like of viewing the work? bayeux tapestry: What are the most fundamental differences between different types of narratives? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type?
bayeux tapestry: What are the most fundamental differences between different types of narratives? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type?
Louis IX
became king of France in 1226 and led French knights in two Crusades
bricolage
construction or something constructed by using whatever materials happen to be available.
jamb statue
figural sculpture attached to the side posts of a doorway
adorsed figures
figures arranged "back to back" or mirrored, for example the lions on the mantle of roger the 2nd are adorsed figures, also common in islamic world.
From the Met Museum link on the late-medieval "book of hours," what was the primary function of these books? What kinds of decoration did they include?
foster reflection and devotion
Who commissioned the Mamluk mosque lamp? How do we know from looking at the object itself? How does this lamp speak to the wider importance of patronage and pious endowments of mosques within the Islamic world? Where would this lamp have been located in a mosque? How does this object reflect broader ideas about the role of calligraphy and light within the Islamic faith tradition?
function of light with Islamics compared to christians
choir
group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir
enamel
hardest substance in the body
What is the purpose behind the graphic violence of many late-medieval images? In what ways is the Röttgen Pieta "realistic"? How were viewers meant to respond to this image? What kinds of theological or religious changes caused the shift towards this kind of devotional art?
imitate would bring you closer to godfeel suffering
initial page
in an illuminated Gospel book, a page often following a carpet page that contains the decorated incipit of the Gospel text it introduces
spolia
in art history, the reuse of architectural or sculptural pieces in buildings generally different from their original contexts
evangelist
one who proclaims in word and deed the Good News of Jesus Christ
How did the telling of stories in Christian stained glass windows work? In what ways were these visual narratives different or similar from textual ones? How does the example from Bourges Cathedral use internal typology to tell the story?
presence of Christ through divine lightcreation of the community of holy figuresnarrative/storytelling for audiences
What are some of the different types of stained glass windows that would be found in the gothic cathedral? What kinds of subject matter did they include? How was the visual effect of the windows critical to the experience of Gothic architecture? How are these windows related to the divine in Christian theology?
rose window use light for GOD
Describe Abbot Suger's role in the building and renovation of Saint-Denis. What was so revolutionary about Abbot Suger's designs for the church? How did he conceive of the link between works of art and the divine realm?
served as regent king, recorded all of his renovations of the church, enlarged the building and replaced it piece by piece created "royal portal" putting kings and queens on decorations, but not distinguishing them as french 11th c kings or biblical kings.- "the dull mind rises to the truth through material things"
muqarnas
stucco decorations of Islamic buildings in which stalactite-like forms break a structure's solidity
tiraz
textile pieces, usually made in royal workshops and given as court gifts and rewards
tympanum
the space enclosed by a lintel and an arch over a doorway
tympanum/tympana
the space enclosed by a lintel and an arch over a doorway
What kind of experience does the Rothschild Canticles create for its reader/viewer? What kind of participation does it invite? From where does it draw its imagery? How was erotic and bodily imagery used within late-medieval devotional religious culture?
visionary/mystical experiences to connect with God with joy
Visionary Experience
when active imagination and religious encounter emerge.
