Early Medieval Art Vocab

Cloister

a rectangular open-air monastery courtyard with a covered arcade surrounding it

Odo of Metz

the architect of Charlemagne. Designed the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne

Carolingian Art

the art that is described by the revival of classicism thanks to Charlemagne. (Holy Roman Empire)

Gospels

the first four books of the new Testament that chronicle the life of Jesus Christ

Abbot

the head of the Abbey church

Bishop Bernard

the patron of Hilda Shrine Cathedral

Horror vacui

(Latin meaning "fear of empty spaces") a type of artwork in which the entire surface is filled with objects, peoples, designs, and ornaments in a crowded, sometimes congested way

Animal Interlace

A style that evolved form influences that came from the Near East and Egypt because the nomadic groups had went through the area. It involves the merging of animal motifs and complicated interlacing that comes form laces of boots.

Vikings

Also known as Norsemen because they come from Norway. They did not adopt Christianity until centuries later and so they often raided churches and cities, terrorizing Europe. They are well known for their animal decorations and the use of animal interlacing

Relics

Remains of a saint and are kept in reliquaries, jars often made of gold and jewels. Christians often prayed to the jars in hopes the saint can communicate to God for them

Sciptorium

a place in a monastery where monks wrote manuscripts

Normandy

The area the vikings eventually settled at. Here, they stop being marauders and becomes "civilized"

Ottonians

The group that dominates Europe after Charlemagne and is responsible for finding the Gospel Book of Charlemagne

Crypt

Underground area built sometimes under the large apse to hold relics

Psalter

a book containing the Psalms, or sacred sung poems, of the Bible

Colophon

a commentary on the end of a Chinese scroll or an inscription at the end of a manuscript containing relevant information on its publication

William the Conquerer

a famous Norman who takes down England, bringing Norman French culture to England and rules there after the battle of Hastings in 1066

Codex

a manuscript book

Animal style

a medieval art form in which animals are depicted in a stylized and often complicated pattern, usually seem fighting with one another

Westwork

a monumental entrance to a Carolingian church in which two towers flank a lower central entrance

Stair turrets

a style from the Middle Ages that show towers are only getting taller and becoming more intricate

Celtic Germanic

a style that became the main part of art in France and Germany. The group is made up of nomadic civilizations that ended up settling in those areas and so art pieces tend to be small and portable.

Alternate support

alternation in columns and piers

Hiberno-Saxon

another civilization that dominated England and Ireland

Cloisonne

enamelwork in which colored areas are separated by thin bands of metal, usually gold or bronze