Early Medieval Art - Lecture notes 2 PDF

Preview

Summary

Lecture notes over Early Medieval Art (Migration Art) [500-1000 CE] including: Sutton Hoo Purse Lid, St. Matthew from the Lindsifarne Gospels, Chi Rho Iota from Book of Kells, Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, and additional pieces....

Description

Early Medieval Art (Migration Art) [500-1000 CE] -very nomadic, no monumental architecture -jewelry, utilitarian objects, books -no classical tradition to uphold -an avoidance the human form – high level of abstraction -“the Dark Ages” -“light” = Rome -Church started sending monks to create and convert monastic centers in Europe -responsible for transcribing manuscripts; manuscript illumination = book illustration *Bible -Feudalism – a system of checks and balances Sutton Hoo Purse Lid -enamel work and metal work -created using the cloisonné enameling technique – “scooping” out and filling with enamel -leather strap disintegrated -champlevé – additive enameling process -horror vacui – fear of empty space; dense compositions -manuscripts came from the Mediterranean St. Matthew from the Lindsifarne Gospels -author page: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John -given animal symbols (not interested in the human form) -Matthew – winged man -Mark – winged lion -Luke – winged ox -John – eagle -inspiration from wall frescos Chi Rho Iota from Book of Kells -abstract symbol, not human form -three first letters of Christ’s name -all medieval hallmarks present -when being created, it becomes a spiritual exercise in itself Saint Matthew from Coronation Gospels (Gospel Book of Charlegmagne) -800 Nomadic tribes begin to Christianize -Carolingians – leader Charlemagne -crowned Holy Roman emperor , 12.25.800 -styles himself after Constantine and Justinian -revival of classicism -human form rendered more, sense of 3D form, chiascruro

-hands are very emphasized – doing God’s work Saint Matthew from Ebbo Gospels -line quality – very quick -his angel was feeding him the words and he was writing them down as quickly as he could Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen -power between church and state – modeled after Justinian -Rotunda = chapel, in situ (16 panel sides) -modeled after San Vitale (central plan, octagon) - triumphal arch as entrance to church – westwork (northern context term) - use of Roman arches on the interior -earth bound likeness by the patterning on the stone; dark/light/dark/light -Charlemagne’s throne on the second story -dome is gold with an image of Jesus Abbey Church of St. Michael’s, Hildesheim, Germany -Ottonian people – one King married a Byzantine princess and brought her back to Germany -Bishop Bernward – revival of Roman style -Basilica plan -two apses, two transepts -Bishop buried on one side of church, in larger apse -the crossing square unit of measure Doors of Bishop Bernward -Christian, bronze doors -first monumental bronze doors created since the antiquity era -more expensive medium -lost wax method -16’ high -stories from the bible in the registers -“oompa loompa” figures with prominent heads Gero Crucifix -comes from Byzantine art -made out of wood -portable, paraded around on Easter, etc. processions -wooden crucifix with hinged arms -very German *Pathos...