The Medieval Art

The Medieval Art

Charact erist ics of Medieval art Religious based Similarity in subjects Symbolism rather than realism Story telling Size(bigger means more important)

The Christ ian Art Christianity (from the Greek word Khristos, "Christ", literally "anointed one") is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Main beliefs of Christianity * belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Spirit * the death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ * the holiness of the Church and the communion of saints * Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgment and salvation of the faithful. * The Ten Commandments

Brief hist ory A major turning point in Christian history occurred when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Whether this conversion was sincere or politically motivated, historians can only speculate. But the result was the end of persecution of Christians and the beginning of Christendom.

The Edict of Milan was issued by Emperor Constantine I in A.D. 313. It declared the Roman Empire's new found policy of tolerance toward worship of Christianity. Christians were subsequently allowed to worship their religion in public places, and had all relics and properties that had been taken by the Romans returned to them.

What is it about Christ ian art t hat is so special t o us? Christian art bring us continual peace, quiet joy and timeless inspiration. We treasure Christian art because it expresses all of the emotions that we feel in our Christian life. It portrays the truth of the Bible and takes us all the way back to the times of the Bible to "see" how it might have been.

Christian art is defined by every Bible subject from Jesus to angels. The

selection is never ending and we are blessed with the opportunity to fill our home and hearts with the Bible portrayed in beautiful Christian art.

Cat acombs One of the first forms of Christian art. The catacombs are the ancient underground cemeteries, used by the Christian and the Jewish communities, above all at Rome. For Christians, burial is just a temporary moment while they wait for the final resurrection.

There are two categories of images painted on walls and ceilings and

carved in the Christian catacombs. In one category, we find scenes depicting stories from scripture. That, of course, does not surprise us. However, in the second category, there are many images which are unrelated to specific bible stories. In fact, these images are shared, both in design and in meaning.

The Last Supper Leonardo Da Vinci

You can see that every single

element of the painting directs one's attention straight to the midpoint of the composition, Christ's head. It's arguably the greatest example of one point perspective ever created.

The Byzantine Art The Byzantine Empire or Eastern Roman Empire, was the Roman Empire

during the Middle Ages, centered on the capital of Constantinople, and ruled by Emperors. It was called the Roman Empire by its inhabitants and its neighbors, and was also known as Romania

Constantine the Great wanted this city to be built from scratch as the center

of the Christian world. He and his following emperors made Constantinople into one of the most elaborate and civilized cities in the world.

Characteristics of Byzantine Art Byzantine paintings and mosaics

are characterized by rich use of color And figures which seem flat and stiff

The figures also tend to appear to be

Images are not friendly, they look at the front

Not naturalistic and full of Conventionalism

floating, and to have large eyes.

Backgrounds tend to be solidly golden or toned. Byzantine architects favored the central plan covered by a huge dome.

Don't use perspective

Deformations and too stylized features

colors are flat w/o shades or differences of tonality

Images are limited by thick black lines to give impression of deepness they draw parallel lines

Iconography is the branch of art history which studies the identification, description, and the interpretation of the content of images. The word iconography literally means "image writing",

Iconography Icon creates reverence in worship and serves as an existential link to God.

Icon has been called prayer, hymn, sermon in form and color. It's used as an object or veneration in Orthodox churches and private homes.

Learn how to identify the saints in medieval and renaissance art.

Read the stories that the paintings refer to.

Romanesque Art The art of the Romanesque period was characterized by an important revival of

monumental forms, notably sculpture and fresco painting, which developed in close association with architectural decoration and exhibited a forceful and often severely structural quality. At the same time an element of realism, which parallels the first flowering of vernacular literature, came to the fore. It was expressed in terms of a direct and naive observation of certain details drawn from daily life and a heightened emphasis on emotion and fantasy.

Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular,

symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of simplicity has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of simplicity

Characteristics of Romanesque Architecture * harmonious proportions * stone barrel vault or groin vault * thick and heavy walls * thick and heavy pillars * small windows * round arches supporting the roof * round "blind arches" used extensively for decoration inside and out * nave with side aisles * Darker simplistic interiors * a transept * an ambulatory (often with radiating chapels) around the apse * multiple towers, usually at the west end and over the transept crossing * sculptured decoration on portals, capitals and other surfaces * painted decoration throughout the interior )

GothicArt The word "Gothic" for art was initially used as a synonym for "Barbaric", and was therefore used as a negative term of opprobrium: this type of Medieval art was considered as unrefined and barbaric, too remote from the aesthetic proportions and shapes

Primary media in the Gothic period included sculpture, panel painting, stained glass, fresco and illuminated manuscript.

The paintings were at least half shrouded in darkness as if to revere the harsh past, and led to the light of Christianity and naturalism.

Characteristics of GothicArchitecture *Pointed Arch *Flying Buttresses *Stained Glass windows and Rose type of windows *Elaborate,ornate interior *Taller more airy, lots of light *Lavish sculpture-larger than life *Gargoyles- began as a water sprout -people add them for beauty,protection and water diversion some people believe that they keep evil spirits from buildings by scaring them away