ID Hist Lecture 6 Middle Ages
Chi-Rho Monogram (XP), Gospel Matthew,from the Book of Kells, late 8th cent., manuscript illumination
B/c of Ireland's location, it was relatively left alone and did not suffer Germanic invasion during Migration Period Thus, its christian art developed on its own path, largely uninfluenced by outside forces or invading cultures. the Celts of Ireland converted to Christianity in the 5th century. See the the adoption of an eastern-type of monasticism: community of monks, living in seclusion and dedicated to spiritual life (eastern-type of m. prevalent in Ireland, hence I. was not firmly connected to Rome or papacy); monasticism is one of the defining characteristics of Middle Ages as a whole Irish monks created precious manuscript illuminations (book illustrations) of Christian texts, decorated with interlace patterns The Chi-Rho monogram is an abbreviation that stands for the name of Christ/Christianity b/c it invokes the crucifixion of Jesus, as well as symbolizing his status as the Christ.[ B/c Ireland was relatively left alone- art from this period is also known as Insular art or also known as Hiberno-Saxon art, is the style of art produced in the post-Roman history of the British Isles. The term derives from insula, the Latin term for "island"; in this period Great Britain and Ireland shared a largely common style different from that of the rest of Europe. Art historians usually group insular art as part of the Migration Period art movement as well as Early Medieval Western art, and it is the combination of these two traditions that give the style its special character. Most Insular art originates from the Irish monasticism of Celtic Christianity, or metalwork for the secular elite, and the period begins around 600 AD with the combining of 'Celtic' styles and Anglo-Saxon (English) styles, in particular the interlace decoration as found at Sutton Hoo, applied to decorating new types of objects mostly copied from the Mediterranean world, above all the codex or book.[3] The finest period of the style was brought to an end by the disruption to monastic centres and aristocratic life of the Viking raids which began in the late 8th century. These are presumed to have interrupted work on the Book of Kells, and no later Gospel books are as heavily or finely illuminated as the masterpieces of the 8th century.[4] In England the style merged into Anglo-Saxon art around 900, whilst in Ireland the style continued until the 12th century, when it merged into Romanesque art.[5] Ireland, Scotland and the kingdom of Northumbria in northern England are the most important centres, but examples were found also in southern England, Wales[6] and in Continental Europe, especially Gaul (modern France), in centres founded by the Hiberno-Scottish mission and Anglo-Saxon missions. The influence of insular art affected all subsequent European medieval art, especially in the decorative elements of Romanesque and Gothic manuscripts.[7] Surviving examples of Insular art are mainly illuminated manuscripts, metalwork and carvings in stone, especially stone crosses. Surfaces are highly decorated with intricate patterning, with no attempt to give an impression of depth, volume or recession. The best examples include the Book of Kells, Lindisfarne Gospels, Book of Durrow, brooches such as the Tara Brooch and the Ruthwell Cross. Carpet pages are a characteristic feature of Insular manuscripts, although historiated initials (an Insular invention), canon tables and figurative miniatures, especially Evangelist portraits, are also common.
Monastery at St. Gallen, Switzerland, ca. 819
A monastery is a complex of buildings, including abbey church, cloister, chapter house, dormitory, refectory (dining hall), kitchen, storage rooms Monasteries and monastic life were essential for medieval civilization-they essentially held medieval civilization together where the government failed- they provided for the poor by offering medical services, took care of food processing and storage, and were centers of education. Thus these were very large structures for that reason Monastic communities were supposed to live ascetic and self-sufficient lives.Depending on the order (the administrative organization of the monastery), monks and nuns had to take an oath of poverty, chastity, obedience (= Benedictine rule to which St. Gallen belongs), perhaps silence and other impositions. Monks were assigned tasks based on their abilities.
Interior of the Mosque at Cordoba, Cordoba (Spain), 8th to 10th century
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam; The mosque at Cordoba is one of the largest in Moorish Spain (location was originally a Christian Church in 13th century) Prophet Mohammed's (570-632) teachings in Mecca and Medina spread rapidly across the Arabic peninsula, and large parts of Near and Middle East; Spain came under Moorish (Islamic) domination from 711-1492 the mosque displays a unique system of double-tiered arches (one arched stacked on another) to support wooden roof; influences from local Spanish and Moslem architectrue combined
Pendentive- Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul), 532- 537
A pendentive is a constructive device permitting the placing of a circular dome over a square room or an elliptical dome over a rectangular room.
Martin Schongauer, The Censer, c. 1480-1490, engraving
An over-the-top example of tracery applied to a censer, a liturgical instrument used during mass; similar expenditures of craft and skill can be found on medieval reliquaries At the late medieval/early Renaissance era, printmaking was at the cutting edge of technological innocation (movable type with Gutenberg, but also woodcuts and engravings invented) Schongauer's graphic art was greatly admired by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer, who took him as a role model Interest in objects like the censer (and its decorative quality) seem to hint at the connection between printmaking and fine goldsmith work Artist wanted to "show off" with a subject like this Engraving work and printmaking came abt during this time See alots of innovations at this time- moving into the middle ags and away from the gothic period
Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle), Germany, 792-805
By the turn of the 9th century, the confusion of the Migration Period was left behind, when Charlemagne unified a kingdom covering most of today's Germany and France A very ambitious military leader, Charlemagne saw himself as the head (~ caesar) of a restored (Holy) Roman Empire, when in 800 he was crowned by the pope in Rome ("Holy Roman Empire"); established his court in Aachen, where he built the Palatine Chapel adjacent to his palace Chapel is to demonstrate his robust strength, simplicity of this round structure anticipates Romanesque style of 11th/12th century ***Notice the stripped arches, similar to the Great Mosque of Cordoba***
Throne of Maximian and Roman Cathedra chair
Cathedra or bishop's throne is a barrel chair (round back), developed from Roman cathedra chair is the seat of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and in the Anglican Communion churches. Cathedra is the Latin word for a chair with armrests, and it appears in early Christian literature in the phrase "cathedrae apostolorum" indicating authority derived directly from the apostles. It also has Roman connotations of authority reserved for the Emperor which were later adopted by bishops after the 4th century. A church into which a bishop's official cathedra is installed is called a cathedral.
Romanesque Chest, carved oak, 11th to 12 century;
Chests were the most common pieces of furniture throughout the Middle Ages Secure storage of household items and valuables; also used for transport Footed chests elevated to protect content from cold and damp ground Endless variations of cravings and decorations, including many examples with intricate locks Smaller chests for storing money (coins) were called coffres (=coffers in English) Chest fuctnions as storage device for $$ $$ of this periord is in the form of coins- which are heavy, combersom, so you want a strong box therefor see rise of iron applications to help protect the chest Chest is raised in order to protect the chest from the damp ground
Nave and Apse Mosaic of Church of Sant' Apollinare in Classe, architecture with mosaic decoration, Ravenna, ca. 533-549
Church dedicated to St. Apollinaris, martyred in Classe; dates from the period of Byzantine rule in Ravenna Early Christian three-aisled basilica; contains one of the most spectacular apse mosaics of the Byzantine period: Blue medallion with jeweled cross, Hand of God in the clouds, figures of Moses and Elijah; below: patron saint Apollinaris in orans pose flanked by 12 sheep; face of apse: 12 lambs = 12 apostles, issuing from cities of Beth-lehem and Jerusalem; medallion with Christ, 2 archangels
Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France, begun 1194
Consequences of Suger's innovations can be seen at Chartres Cathedral Pointed arch in combination with groin vault allowed cathedral builders to increase the height of structures and to pierce the walls with window space to received stained glass windows; galleries Height of Cathedrals became a point of civic pride of citizens; cities to tried to outdo each other with higher and more sumptuous structures 1st gothic catheral- 1194 Was not finished, see 2 diff towers Every town/city wants to hv a bigger better cathedral than next city, so w/ changes to arch (ability to build large catherdas w/ vaulted ceilings) competition gets high from city to city Stained Glass Windows (upper left), Aerial View (upper right), Royal (West) Portal (lower left), Jamb Statues (lower right), from Chartres Cathedral, begun 1194 Flying buttresses, supporting the exterior of the choir, are also typical features of Gothic architecture Chartres has a rich sculptural program: Second Coming of Christ (central tympanum), Christ's Ascension to Heaven (l.), Christ with Virgin Mary (r.); jamb statues: Portraits of Old Testament Kings and Queens; greater degree of naturalism compared to earlier Middle Ages Flying Buttresses- See another area of mistrust from the architects- so you see innovations in arch, but then see reinforcement of the structures in order to prop up the structures from the outside
Lombard Temple (Tempietto longobardo), mid-8th century, Cividale (Udine), Italy
Corinthian columns are the most ornate, slender and sleek of the three Greek orders. The Corinthian, with its offshoot the Composite, is the most ornate of the orders, characterized by slender fluted columns and elaborate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolls. There are many variations. They are distinguished by a decorative, bell-shaped capital with volutes, two rows of acanthus leaves and an elaborate cornice. In many instances, the column is fluted.
Church of San Vitale, architecture with mosaic decoration, Ravenna, 526-547
Culmination of Byzantine splendor in Ravenna: Orientalizing motives mixed with naturalism; Triumph of Emp. Justinian, Orthodox faith, Byz. power Building has a plain exterior, central plan of concentric octagons, surrounding ambulatory, columned niches; clerestory on the 2nd floor reserved for women (influenced from east as see in Muslim religion); intricate lace patterns for Byz. Capitals;Lace pattern- really see this on Byzentine Capitals Apse mosaics: Christ seated on orb of the world w/4 rivers of Paradise, extends golden wreath of victory to St. Vitalis (center); Emperor Justinian and attendants/Empress Theodora and attendants (side panels)
Throne of Frankish king Dagobert I, legs early 7th century, arms and back, 1125-1150, bronze
Curious object, result of alterations over the course of the Middle Ages: Started out as an X-framed folding stool (basically, a Roman sella curulis) for Frankish king Dagobert I (605-639), which still had the stylistic flavor of the Migration period (from which the Frankish kingdom had emerged) Abbot Suger, trailblazer of the Gothic style at St. Denis near Paris, had it altered, turning it into a chair, with Gothic arms and back, in the 12th century Furniture from this periord -not many examples left -throne of Franish King -was reworked, was cobbled together from a very old structure that dates to the 7th cent. Origin is a roman sella on the lower part- example of the magration period w/ the strong animal influcnces, then the upper part is the newer (see elements of gothic style in the upper part already) - Abobot Suger- believed to have been person behind changing the chair and introucing Early gothic style
Ambulatory- Mausoleum of Santa Constanza, Rome, ca. 350
Domed rotunda= round, barrel-vaulted corridor encircling central space with sarcophagus
Sainte Chapelle, Paris, 1243-1248
End point of the development of the Gothic style: walls have been taken over completely by long stretches of stained glass windows, finishing in pointed arches, trefoil patterns Jewel-box-like quality of the building Adjoining the royal palace on the Ile de la Cité in Paris Intended as a repository for relics of the Passion of Christ brought back by French king Louis IX after the ill-fated 6th Crusade Structure mimics an intricately carved reliquary (a container of relics) Holy chapel of St. Chapelle this is not a catherdal, its in acutally a reicquriry See gothic elements in excess. See little walls, wall are almost compleetley stained glass Trefoil patterns Pointed arches, groin wall, tracery walls- examples of this gothic periord
Sutton Hoo, England, excavation of Saxon burial site, ca. 650, circa 1939
England experienced the Migration movement as well with the arrival of Germanic tribes of Anglians and Saxons from the Continent Saxon burial site, ca. 650 from 6th-early 7th century excavated from Sutton Hoo, England in 1939 56 burials graves of people were discovered. Found the ppl were pagan, autonomous, maritime, and wanted to preserve a Scandinavian ancestral allegiance. Details show Connections to Christian religious elements and Oriental stylistic features
Choir Stalls of the King of Hungary, Mathias Corvinus, 1483, Budapest, carved oak
Given the emphasis of medieval society on accumulating riches "in the beyond," ecclesiastic furniture played an important role Arches (pointed or not), crosses, finials, trefoil or quatrefoil pattern, tracery defined such furniture as much as it defined the architecture of churches and cathedrals Arches (pointed or not), crosses, finials, trefoil or quatrefoil pattern, tracery defined such furniture as much as it defined the architecture of churches and cathedrals- Gothic art in a nutshell
Nave of Church of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, architecture with mosaic decoration, Ravenna, ca. 504
In 476 Ravenna fell to the Eastern Goths (Ostrogoths); their strongest leader was king Theodoric, who commissioned a new three-aisled palace-church for Ravenna Theodoric and the Goths were Arians (followers of Bishop Arius, who doubted the Holy Trinity), a sect was eventually declared heretical by the Orthodox Church (age of heresies, many of which were politically motivated) Top- and middle-register (clerestory) mosaics are original (e. g. detail of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes); bottom register had Arian content and was replaced by order of Bishop Agnellus with a procession of Orthodox saints
Narthex and Interiors- St. Mark's Cathedral, Venice, begun 1063
Interior: rich gold-ground (typically Byzantine) mosaics, telling key stories from Old and New Testament; here: Book of Genesis Most of the narthex mosaics depict Old Testament stories, preparing the visitor for the stories of the New Testament inside the church. Many date from the 13th century, including the particularly interesting Stories of Genesis (to the right just inside the central door). Immediately in front of the central door are figures of the Four Evangelists from the 11th and 12th centuries.
Purse cover from the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial, ca. 655, cloisonné (gold and enamel) And the Migration periord
Item associated with the 1939 excavation of the ship burial of the East Anglian King Anna; in Sutton Hoo, England. Site yielded many artifacts with which the king was buried Many of the tribes invading central Europe from the east brought with them skills in metal craft and the cloisonné technique Political and social instability favored small, portable objects during the migration period Four heraldic groups (eagles attacking ducks & man-beast figures, center), suggest eastern or Oriental influences Sutton Hoo, England (small metal strips, usually of gold, are soldered on a metal background; metal-rimmed compartments thus attained are filled with precious stones or enamel paste [crushed glass, which is heated]) See Interlace patterns typical for migration period. Item does also suggest eastern or Oriental influences
St. Sernin, Toulouse, France, ca. 1080-1120
LOCATION: St. Sernin, Toulouse, France TIME: 1080-1120 WHAT IS IT: Period of Romanesque art and architecture lasting from ca. 1000-1200. St. Sernin served as a stop on the way to pilgrimage sites that housed shrines or relics which had began to attract pious travelers headed from Western Europe to the Holy Land, or to places like Rome or the Santiago de Compostella in Spain following the Crusades . SIGNIFICANCE: collection of life around the cathedral- and the beginnings of city culture and the age of Cathedrals King does not have a permanent place of residence, kingdoms are not consolidated therefore a king would have several homes. As a result the feudal system was created that served as a system of lords who pledged allegiance to the king in times of war in exchange for land. Lords employed a working class called serfs who worked the land but basically were servants of the land in exchange for land to build a home and are of lands to plant crops. System of lords lead to creating of the Aristocracy and feudalism became the dominant political system; No real centralized power so cities lack true administrative infrastructure, Becomes increasingly impossible to go to Jerusalem, so there arose alternative pilgrimage sites- shrines, reliquaries - areas that claim to house remnants of significant religious events (pc of the cross, or parts of Jesus shroud). So people began to make alternatives journeys to see these relics instead of going all the way to Rome hence Romanesque art. Cathedrals evolved from the Basilica style of building Exception to this are the Monks (monastic organizations)- these orgs still hold the society together overall by performing civic duties the government does not monasticism prospered; Growing city culture: age of cathedrals; permanent structures of cut stone (fireproof, not made of wood) 1st cathedrals were made of wood (which can burn), next they were made of stone Cathedral builders do not trust their own structures- so you see buildings w/ minimal windows in order to maintain integrity of the walls overall Dark, sturdy wall
St. Sernin, Toulouse, France, ca. 1080-1120
Large, simple, massive cathedrals, Latin-Cross plan, vaulted nave, buttresses, ambulatory with radiating chapels are all characteristic of the Romanesque style
Gothic Bishop Chair, France, ca. 1500, carved oak
Left: Gothic Bishop Chair, France, ca. 1500, carved oak Although chairs were still rare (benches, chests, stools used instead), those that were built were clearly influenced by choir stalls The example from France on the left features carved decorations of linenfolds, a typical Gothic motif in the applied arts As the Gothic age advanced, progress was made in metal arts and tracery patterns became ever more intricate (see example below) Chairs are usally for important ppl See more an more chairs that are metal instead of wood. See influcne of arch in the furntire- See overdecorated pcs of furnture. Chiars were very rare, had more benches, stools Therefore if you had a chair it prolly was for an imporatn fifgure- chair of cking or bishop move away from wood and becoming metal
Silver Throne of King Martin of Aragon, 15th century, silver
Left: Gothic Bishop Chair, France, ca. 1500, carved oak Bottom: Silver Throne of King Martin of Aragon, 15th century, silver Although chairs were still rare (benches, chests, stools used instead), those that were built were clearly influenced by choir stalls The example from France on the left features carved decorations of linenfolds, a typical Gothic motif in the applied arts As the Gothic age advanced, progress was made in metal arts and tracery patterns became ever more intricate (see example below) Chairs are usally for important ppl See more an more chairs that are metal instead of wood. See influcne of arch in the furntire- See overdecorated pcs of furnture. Chiars were very rare, had more benches, stools Therefore if you had a chair it prolly was for an imporatn fifgure- chair of cking or bishop move away from wood and becoming metal
Charlemagne's Throne
Location: Palatine Chapel, Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle), Germany, Material: Marble Time: 792-805 Very little furniture survives from the Romanesque period; the one that does is very simple Throne is elevated on a platform to convey dignity of the emperor
Lombard Temple (Tempietto longobardo), mid-8th century, Cividale (Udine), Italy
Lombards were a Germanic tribe; descended from Scandinavia to Italy, where they had their own kingdom from 568 to 774 in the aftermath of the Gothic wars that had depopulated the country The tribe eventually converted to Arianism, and later Orthodox Christianity (7th century) Small Langobard temple near Udine is a testimony to their culture See migration-period interlace patterns with wine motifs, richly carved and decorated choir stalls reminiscent of Classical (cf. Corinthian columns), Lombard and Carolingian (cf. Mandorla) elements intermix Lombard Temple- in northern Italy. Lombards- Germanic ppl from Scandinavia that formed their own kingdom after the goths left the country. While they, they converted to Arianism, then converted to Orthodox. Good example of migration period designs. See Classical elements on the columns, see interlaced pattern on the lace in the moldings.
Mausoleum of Santa Constanza, Rome, ca. 350
Mausoleum of Constantia, daughter of the Emperor Constantine Example of building with a central plan (a round or polygonal structure), favored by Byzantine architects (the east) Inspiration Pantheon? See use of a domed rotunda or ambulatory = round, barrel-vaulted corridor encircling the central space housing the sarcophagus (See a coffin in the center but a hallway circling it.) Compelling b/c they show coming together of Pagan and Christian traditions: See use of mosaic decoration: birds (peacock), vegetation, vine harvest scenes; transition between pagan Roman and Christian imagery. See mosaic used on walls instead of the floors.
Throne of Maximian, ca. 545, wood and ivory carving
Maximian was archbishop of Ravenna from 545 to 553 Exceptional piece of furniture, consisting of multiple ivory-carved panels, recounting scenes from the life of Joseph The best ivory carvers came from Alexandria (Egypt) and Constantinople (panels here are believed to be the work of Egyptian craftsmen)Panels carved in Alexandria, but assembled in Ravenna Barrel chair (round back), developed from Roman cathedra chair previously discussed
Abbey Church of St. Denis, St. Denis (near Paris), 1140-1144
Medieval civilization reached its zenith during the Gothic period (ca. 1140-1370 [~1700 N.-Europe]): rise of cities, chivalry, literature, university life, end of Crusades St. Denis = royal burial ground Innovators of the Gothic style in architecture: Bernard of Clairvaux and Abbé Suger, Abbot of St. Denis (theologians, politicians, architects)>faith was mystical and intuitive, not rational Architectural expression of idea: groin vault with pointed arches allow for skeletal construction in choir, introduction of stained glass windows Gothic Style -pioneered by Abbe Suger- bleived that access to reliouon should be mysitical and cliser to heaven and not dark should have light floading in believed that light should be introduced (contrary to cathedral builders of that time) -thological underpinningof the gothic style -had first stuctures that examplified this radical design change -intro of stained glass, groin vaults, -period lasted from 1140-1144 -period when things start to move away from stagnant roman period to citys that are moving an active, see a change in litureture, intro of secular lit invovling hoursemanships in (knight in shining armour) Chrusaides St.Denis- is an Abby church (not as big as a catherdal) Is significant to France b/c french kings were buried here, but was destroyed during the french revolution in revolt- was a royal burial ground therefor had cutting edge architecture of the time Groin walls allow for high ceilings w/ structural integrity and not need to worry about building colapsing.
St. Mark's Cathedral, Venice, begun 1063
Models and innovations of Byzantine builders radiated back to the west, esp. Venice because of her close Oriental contacts St. Mark's Cathedral located on Venice's central square; built and modified over many centuries (as most great buildings are); Romanesque and Gothic additions hide Byzantine core Plan: Greek-Cross plan, cluster of four domes resting on pendentives JUST LIKE WITH THE Hagia Sophia
Taj Mahal, Agra (India), 1632-1654
Most famous of all Muslim mausoleums Built during 1526-19th century, when the Mughal Empire governed most of the Indian subcontinent and Persia (Iran), ., Is a mausoleum built by Muslim ruler Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal († at childbrith) Was their interpretation of paradise Massive, cubical structure surmounted by a large balloon-shaped dome, surrounded by towers, reflecting pools and gardens, supposed recall paradise as described in Qur'an. Prototype for the structure believed to come from Iran
Catacomb of Saints Pietro and Marcellinus, Rome, 4th century, fresco
Prior to the toleration of Christianity under Constantine, Christians were frequently persecuted by Roman authorities in the previous 3rd century. In those times, they found refuge in the catacombs, a maze-like system of underground funerary sites of Excavated from granular tufa; there were galleries connecting to small rooms (cubicula) filled with funerary niches (loculi) Conditions were unsanitary, but nevertheless Christian community prevailed and even celebrated services here Some catacombs are adorned with fresco paintings. The quality of the frescoes is not at the level of Pompeii, but for the FIRST TIME we see a specifically Christian iconography emerging: Christ as the Good Shepherd (central medallion): figures in "orans" (attitude of prayer with outstretched arms) poses on margins
Lombard Temple (Tempietto longobardo), mid-8th century, Cividale (Udine), Italy
See migration-period interlace patterns with wine motifs, richly carved and decorated choir stalls reminiscent of Classical (cf. Corinthian columns), Lombard and Carolingian (cf. Mandorla) elements intermix Christ Pantocrator inside a mandorla flanked by a Procession of Saints and Adoration of the Magi, fresco, vault of the central apse, Oratory of Santa Maria in Valle or Lombard Temple (UNESCO World Heritage List, 2011), Cividale del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Italy, 8th century.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, 1182-1250
Structure combines Romanesque and Gothic features, but façade, outer appearance is quintessentially Gothic Stained glass, rosette window, flying buttresses Choir and transept completed in 1182, nave by 1225, façade by 1250 Extended periods of building activity, high-maintenance upkeep On the balconies, one finds gargoyle sculptures, which seem to epitomize all the stereotypes of medieval art (dark, mysterious, etc.) Quintessential gothic blding Cathdrals coould tk hondresds of years to build, they are expensive to keep up, See Gargoyls, birds looking down on the city- Gargolys serve as reminders of what will happen to one if they sin- so very austire
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, architecture with mosaic decoration, Ravenna (Italy), 425-450
Surprisingly, some of the best preserved examples of Byzantine art come from Ravenna in Italy (not Constantinople): in 539 the Byzantine general Belisarius conquered the city for Byzantium; Ravenna becomes a Byzantine exclave in Italy for 200 yrs. Galla Placidia († 450), a previous (Western) Roman Empress, had moved the capital to Ravenna for fear of Gothic invasions (protecting swamps); Revenna- is located in the western empire- see many well preserved monuments that embody Byzentine ideals/art. Galla Placidia was the last empress/person of the Roman Empire; 410, rome gets sacked by the Goths. In leaving Rome, the Roman's discovered Revenna as they were leaving. See a pronounced use of mosaic tile, see vaulted ceiling, Latin cross pattern instead of Greek cross. early Christian period Latin cross plan, rich mosaic decorations inside (outside plain structure) with Good Shepherd motive; star-spangled, blue sky Another example of a Christian adaptation of a pagan theme: Good Shepherd theme appears before Christian times but was appropriated to symbolize Christ (3 x image repeated > allusion Trinity?)
Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul), 532- 537
TOOOO MUCH!!!!
Romanesque House, Cluny (France), 1159
The Medieval period saw the gradual rise of cities; crowded and narrow living conditions Few secular structures, especially dwellings of commoners, survive In this rare example, we see workshop and sales area on first floor, living area on the second floor; fluid transition to street live; very limited privacy Commercial activities in cities were subject to strict regulations by guilds Rare example of domestic structure from this period Cities were growing round these catherdal, cathedrals become centers for economic growth Crowded, narrow streets, not many secular structures This is an example of a house structure that can be traced to Roman times Would be the home of a crafts person- have workspace and shop in one bulding Commonly seen in Italy still- craftsppl would live upstairs, close to the workshops Therefore see limited amount of privacy- need for privacy is not seen until the 19th century w the advent of apartments Your shop is in close proximity to the street and can be seeen by passersby Guilds would strictly regulate craftsppl, created an impromtu fraternity, they would meet regularly- therefore made sure ppl maintained standards, quality, and no cheating.
Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (Istanbul), 532- 537
The architects Isidorus of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles are known for having built the monumental church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now Istanbul), after it burned down for a second time in 532 C.E. Employed by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, the two architects, highly skilled in mechanics and mathematics, oversaw the construction of the church in just six years. While the western half of the Empire disintegrated under the pressure of invasions, the Byzantine east and its capital Constantinople prospered Monumental church of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) epitomizes Byzantine power and splendor; built by Byzantine emperor Justinian I (who brought in territorial expansions, basis civil law) Hagia Sophia's huge narthex or canopy-like dome, is a vast 105-foot dome pierced with numerous windows, giving the impression that it floats on air. the huge narthex: rests on pendentives (a dome that rests on a second, larger dome with cut off top) supported by huge wall piers in 4 corners; pendentives make covering an expansive, open, interior space possible After the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the church was repurposed as a mosque, minarets and a mihrab were added, and giant disks bearing Islamic calligraphy were installed on the building's walls. the structure today is still an Islamic mosque
hypostyle mosque- Mosque Architecture
The home of the Prophet Muhammad is considered the first mosque. His house, in Medina in modern-day Saudi Arabia, was a typical 7th-century Arabian style house, with a large courtyard surrounded by long rooms supported by columns. This style of mosque came to be known as a hypostyle mosque, meaning "many columns." Most mosques built in Arab lands utilized this style for centuries.
Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes- Nave of Church of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, architecture with mosaic decoration, Ravenna, ca. 504
Top- and middle-register (clerestory) mosaics are original (e. g. detail of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes); bottom register had Arian content and was replaced by order of Bishop Agnellus with a procession of Orthodox saints
Bayeux Tapestry, 1070-1080, embroidered wool on linen
WHAT: Pc of cloth/tapestry commemorating the defeat of Anglo Saxons at Hastings in 1066 by the Normans. Commissioned by Bishop Odo Most object of this peririod have religious connotation, except this one does not WHEN: 1070-1080 MATERIAL: embroidered wool on linen, 20 inches high and 230 feet long SIGNIFICANCE: Brought England and much of France under one rule, the Dukes of Normandy (Viking descendants) Commissioned by Bishop Odo, half-brother of conquering Duke William Most object of this period have religious connotation, except this one does not, making it unique. it is also a unique type of medieval artifact: technique, depiction of a contemporary event shortly after fact
Cover of the Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram, ca. 870, book binding with gold, pearls & precious stones
WHAT: illuminated book manuscripts, often with sumptuous bindings made of gold, pearls & precious stones MATERIAL: gold, pearls & precious stones TIME: ca. 870 THIS ITEM: this example has a binding of precious stones and gold repoussé plaques depicting Christ in Majesty (in mandorla), Four Evangelists, and Scenes from the Life of Christ BACKGROUND: Charlemagne's three grandsons partitioned the Carolingian Empire, into a western, central and eastern area (roughly France, Lorraine, and German countries) Invasions of Vikings and Magyars; only German part relatively stable, ruled by a succession of kings called Otto (I, II, III), hence we use expression Ottonian period. A privileged art form remained in the form of illuminated book manuscripts,
Speyer Cathedral, Speyer, Germany, 1082-1106
WHERE: Speyer, Germany TIME: 1082-1106 Originally begun as a timber-roofed structure (which then burned out), Speyer Cathedral in the German Rhineland, was among the first of have a very innovative architectural feature, a large groin vault (an octagonal crossing dome), which will become standard of medieval architecture Medieval master builders were very much afraid their structures would collapse (as they sometimes did); hence they built massive walls without window openings, which made for dark interiors; engineering problem was how to effectively transfer the thrust of the vault to the walls. The answer came in when Balanced group of 4 towers: i t is considered to be "a turning point in European architecture"one of the most important architectural monuments of its time and one of the finest Romanesque monuments. Civic pride- Soon everyone wants to have the highest catherdals around- which raises issues of structure See Groin Vault- See really masssive walls with small openings (b/c early cathedral buliders did not trust their own stuctures), therefore have very dark interiors- come be be associated w/ middle ages aesthetic (Gothic Style evolves from this ) Would also see workshops next door to a cathedral- bulding catherdals would take so long, that you were always working on the building- making repairs, fixing, and bulding new b/c it takes so much work to maintain upkeep of these sturctures-these craftsman are still around today
Doge's Palace, Venice, Italy, ca. 1345-1438
We can associate the Gothic style mostly with religious buildings (churches, cathedrals), but occasionally we can find it also on civic buildings The Doge's Palace was the seat of government of Venice Because of Venice's close connections to the eastern Mediterranean, it combines eastern (Oriental) elements with Gothic features, such as pointed arches or quatrefoil patterns Doge's Palace -4 tetrachs are right next door -see influences of Byantium This is a secular structure, was used by the city govenemtn See pointed arches and quatrofoil coupled w/ oriental themes Pointed arches w/ tracerey patterns
Old St. Peter's (reconstruction), Rome, ca. 333; in this context
With the official recognition of Christianity, there emerged a need for more permanent buildings. After 333- Christians are no longer being persecuted so they start to build churches. However they use systems for building that originated from Rome. Old St. Peters is no longer, but is under the Vatican. the current St. Peter's Cathedral was built on the ruins of Old St. Peter's, the site where the first apostle Peter was buried . St. Peters becomes the blueprint for early Christian builders and church design in centuries to come, numerous innovations, derived from Roman basilica design: entrance through propylaea (gateway bldg.), atrium (open colonnaded court), narthex (entrance hall), nave (central aisle), lower side aisles, apse (semi-circular niche), transept (travers)
Purse cover from the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial, ca. 655, cloisonné technique (gold and enamel)
cloisonné technique- (small metal strips, usually of gold, are soldered on a metal background; metal-rimmed compartments thus attained are filled with precious stones or enamel paste [crushed glass, which is heated]) See Interlace patterns typical for migration period. Item does also suggest eastern or Oriental influences
mandorla
http://www.kyrie.com/symbols/mandorla.htm
clerestory
is the level between the two roofs, reinforced here by flying buttress. In architecture, a clerestory or clear storey, is a high section of wall that contains windows above eye level. The purpose is to admit light, fresh air, or both.