Art 11 Final Qs
Discuss the evolution of the construction of the Christian places of worship from the catacombs to the Gothic cathedral
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How did the building of churches and cathedrals help with the growth of towns? What was the role of the church of cathedral within the town?
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How does the image of Christ evolve from the first appearance in the catacombs through the early Christian churches, art of Byzantium, early Medieval imagery, & the decoration of romanesque and Gothic churches and cathedrals?
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What type of artistic and political contributions did Justinian make during the Early Byzantine Empire
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Early medieval civilization in Western Europe represents a fusion of which cultures? Discuss the fusion of those three cultures and the effect that it had on the visual arts of the early Middle Ages.
1. Christianity 2. Greco-Roman heritage 3. cultures of the Non-Romans north of the Alps. Start to create an established style. what survived is small-scale status symbols, especially portable items of personal adornment such as bracelets, pins & belt buckles, often featuring cloisonne ornament. The decoration displays a variety of abstract and zoomorphic motifs. Especially characteristic are intertwined animal and interlace pattern. Ex) Sutton Hoo purse cover
What is the significant-structurally & symbolically-of Old St. Peter's
1st Christian Church by Constantine. Where St. Peter's is actually buried. added elements that are still used in churches today. Atrium: (doesn't continue), Narthex, side aisles (partially for stability), clerestory, transept, apse. Decoration: very plain on the outside: whole point is to be inside of it, also Christianity is new (don't draw too much attention to it). Inside: where all of the riches are displayed. Symbolizes heaven, spend $=care, marble corinthian columns & floor, constantly visually reminded w/ pics about stories of old and new test (get you in the mood as well as reinforces the sermons), most elaborate at apse (draw your attn)
What is a pilgrimage? What purpose did they serve?
A journey to religious/holy places. Increase in Romanesque period; general peace and prosperity. Shows how faithful and spiritual you are; great need w/ Last Judgement coming. Visit Relics in Churches
What is Iconoclasm? How did it impact the production of art in the Byzantine Empire?
Actual event. People who are against icons are allowed to break and destroy religious figurative images. Still ppl love icons and see them as necessary for worship. Lasted 100 years. Lots of great Byz artists leave that empire & move west. Iconafiles were monks & ppl of higher status. 843: law that bans Iconoclasm; wake of that: middle of Byz and states restoration on anything thats been destroyed.
What are catacombs and why are they significant
Christians or jews weren't allowed to be buried inside Roman walls: groups of people pool their $ together & buy a chunk of land to make underground chambers (90 miles). Bodies placed in coffins, in a cubical covered by a slab of stone w/ identification. Could also be used as a safe lace of worshipping & a place to celebrate lives of these individuals. Didactic decorates: way to explain the beliefs & teach ppl; Get you in the mood for feelings of spirituality; make it look nicer
What is the Italian Renaissace?
Classical Rebirth. Italy wanted revival of classical (1) Large Universities-intellectual pursuit (2) Their heritage (Greek & Roman). period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe. The term renaissance is in essence a modern one that came into currency in the 19th century, in the work of historians such as Jacob Burckhardt. Although the origins of a movement that was confined largely to the literate culture of intellectual endeavor and patronage can be traced to the earlier part of the 14th century, many aspects of Italian culture and society remained largely Medieval; the Renaissance did not come into full swing until the end of the century. The word renaissance (Rinascimento in Italian) means "rebirth", and the era is best known for the renewed interest in the culture of classical antiquity after the period that Renaissance humanists labelled the Dark Ages. These changes, while significant, were concentrated in the elite, and for the vast majority of the population life was little changed from the Middle Ages.
What is the significance of Dura Europas
Excavated in 1930s. Wide assortments of religious beliefs were found with structures. Judaism & Christianity were worshipped publicly.
Who was Abbot Suger and what was his role in the development of Gothic art?
He became abbot of Saint-Denis and decided to rebuild it to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. Erected a new west facade with sculptured portals, started the east end. marked the beginning of Gothic architecture. rib vaults with pointed arches spring from slender columns, radiating chapels have stained-glass windows.
Discuss the reign of Constantine and the new changes he established in the Roman Empire
Known for being a huge patron for Christianity. Very smart & savvy. His religious belief=unknown. Roman Emperor-trying to take authority during warfare. Edict of Milan-313: Allows for Religious tolerance. Important: making friends with huge, growing population. Spends lots of $ supporting Christians; built 1st Christian church
Discuss the philosophies of Scholasticism and Mysticism. How do they factor into the construction of the Gothic Cathedral?
Mysticism: concept-widespread. Religious philosophy of trying to feel the presence of god. Long association of light=god->create an environment to feel closer to god that was different of everyday life. Scholasticism: reflection of growing emphasis on universities: Prove existence of god through logic. Rises in pairs, Reconcile bible contradictions. They both = Gothic. Light, open. Vertical (reaching towards sky).
How did pilgrimages affect the growth of towns and lead to changes in the construction of pilgrimage churches?
Need Churches for ppl to visit as well as Inns. Pil's wanted to visit relics at diff churches to honor saints; get a feeling of closeness from relics; could have healing powers. More people=bigger churches with more distinct view point of a cross. Can be seen and heard (bell towers) from a great distance. Ambulatories so pil's could walk around and visit relics without disturbing sermons
Compare and contrast a Romanesque church with a Gothic church
Radiating chapels and apse: R:Separate compartments. G:Unified, unbroken space. Vault: R: Mostly barrel-vaults, some groin-vaults. G: Groin-vaulted cathedrals. Arch type: R: Rounded arches. G: Pointed arches. Main vault support: R: Thick walls, buttresses. G: Exterior flying buttresses. Clerestory: R: Small windows. G: Large stained-glass windows. Elevation: R: Horizontal, modest height. G: Vertical, soaring. Exterior: R: Plain, little decoration, solid. G: Ornate, delicate, lots of sculpture. Sculptural decoration: R: Thin, elongated, abstract figures. G: More realistic proportions and individualized features. Mood: R: Dark, gloomy. G: Tall, light-filled. Example: R: St. Sernin, Toulouse, France. G: Chartres Cathedral, France.
Discuss the meaning and traits of the terms "Romanesque" & "Gothic"
Romanesque: Of, relating to, or being a style of European architecture containing both Roman and Byzantine elements, prevalent especially in the 11th and 12th centuries and characterized by massive walls, round arches, and relatively simple ornamentation. Gothic: Of or relating to an architectural style prevalent in western Europe from the 12th through the 15th century and characterized by pointed arches, rib vaulting, and a developing emphasis on verticality and the impression of height
What is the significance of the statues on the jambs of the Royal Portal at Chartes?
The Royal Portal is where King & Queen would enter. Sculpture: old testament about Kings and Queens, along with new test on top. Royal vs S. Transept: R: smaller halos T: more prominent halos R: more nautral and realistic looking. Result from spread of education.
Name and describe the different elements of a Romanesque portal. What did the doorway to the church symbolize?
Tympanum: the surface enclosed by the arch and lintel of an arched doorway, frequently carved with relief sculptures. Archivolt: the molding fram an arch. In Romanesque and Gothic architecture, each one of a series of arches framing the tympanum of a portal. Lintel: a horizontal beam spanning an openings, as over a window or door, or between two posts. Trumeau: doorpost supporting lintel. Jamb: the side of a doorway or window frame. The jambs of the portals of Romanesque and Gothic churches are frequently decorated with figure sculpture.
How did Renaissance Humanism impact the development of art in Italy during the 14th Century?
With the help of a new interest in and knowledge of Greek, the humanists of the late 14th & 15th centuries recovered a large part of the greek as well as the Roman literature and philosophy that had been lost, left unnoticed, or cast aside in the middle Ages.
Discuss the construction of stained glass windows. What is "lux nova"?
stained glass allowed more light in. "lux nova"=new light. Light symbolizes god. Colored light, different and new. makes you more aware than a plain light. Impacts spirituality. Also serves as decoration, didactic stories. Incredibly time consuming. Never done on this scale before.
Why did the Romans fear and hate the Christians
t was understood by Romans that people who disrespected the Roman gods were disrespecting the Roman state, since the wellbeing of the state depended upon the gods. Christians refused to do such (because God said you can only worship one god). Christianity was also teaching a lot of things that were contrary to Roman culture, and that was seen as a threat. Christianity challenged a man's role as supreme head of the family through their complete condemnation of infanticide, for example. Christianity also taught women that they were in charge of their own souls and that they could escape miserable marriages by pledging their bodies to God. Christanity was radically liberal in the eyes of the Romans.
