HISTART 2001 au16 - Early Medieval Art

Define "Psalter".

A book containing the psalms.

Define "Reliquary".

A container for holding relics.

Define "zoomorphic interlace".

A pattern involving intertwining animal bodies or limbs

Define "cameo".

A piece of jewelry, typically oval in shape, consisting of a portrait in profile carved in relief on a background of a different color.

Define "Primary vs Secondary Relic".

A primary relic actual contains a part of the holy figure while a secondary relic has something that has been in contact with them.

Define "cloisonne enamel".

An ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects, in recent centuries using vitreous enamel, and in older periods also inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and other materials. The resulting objects can also be called cloisonné.

Define "Open vs Closed Artworks".

An open artwork actually held a window or an opening that allowed the viewer to actual see the objects that laid inside. With a closed artwork, the person was unable to see the object and had to infer from the appearance of the relic to guess what was inside.

Define "Bricolage".

Construction or creation from a diverse range of available things.

Define "carpet page".

In early medieval manuscripts, a decorative page resembling a textile.

Define "parchment".

Lambskin prepared as a surface for painting or writing.

Define "Furta Sacra".

Latin for "holy theft".

Define "Evangelist".

One of the four authors (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) of the New Testament Gospels.

Define "sardonyx".

Onyx in which white layers alternate with sard.

Define "initial page".

Page that involved writing and detailed lettering, commonly believed to be sacred through patterns and manipulations.

Define "Carolingian".

Pertaining to the empire of Charlemagne (Latin "Carolus Magnus") and his successors.

Define "Ottonian".

Pertaining to the empire of Otto I and his successors.

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.

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.

Define "caroline miniscule".

The alphabet that Carolingian scribes perfected, from which the modern English alphabet was developed.

Define "Relic".

The body parts, clothing, or objects associated with the a holy figure, such as the Buddha, or Christ, or a Christian saint.

Define "Gospels".

The four new testament books that relate the life and teaching of Jesus.

Name: Carpet Page from Lindisfarne Gospels Site: England Era/Culture: Early Medieval Significant Points: -Much like an oriental carpet* -Only thing Christian about it, is that it is in the form of a book -Involves zoomorphic interlace as the snakes and other animals intertwine throughout the page*

What is this?

Name: Lothar Cross Site: Germany Era/Culture: Early Medieval Significant Points: -About 2 ft tall -Laid on top of staff -Holds image of Roman Emperor, Pegan Augustus -Symbolic as Otto saw himself as a newer Augustus -On the back holds a full image of Christ crucified -Act of spolia as they used earlier fragments from the Heismann cross

What is this?

Name: Reliquary Statue of St Foy Site: Conques, France Era/Culture: Early Medieval Significant Points: -Was in a small village of 300 houses full of poverty -Found in the attic of a woman's house -Statue of gold, sitting down, about 2-3 ft tall -Church was built after the success of the relic -Holds little candle holders in her hands meant to illuminate her when it was dark -Has a wooden core just like the other relics -St Foy was a 13 year old girl that was killed by Roman soldiers for not worshipping their Gods -Use of Spolia of the face of a Roman Emperor -All the gems on her body was donated or given in worship

What is this?