Medieval Art

Why was art during the Middle
Ages often centered on religion?

 Medieval Art 5th-15th
century (1100-1453
A.C.E.)
 The Middle Ages followed

the fall of the Roman
Empire in the 5th century
and merged into the
Renaissance.
 The Middle Ages refers to the time period between the 5th and 15th
centuries.
 Medieval is an adjective that is used to refer to the people, places,
things, and events of that same period.
 It is correct to say medieval furniture, medieval art, medieval
philosophy, medieval history, or medieval scholar.
 It is not correct to say Middle Ages furniture, Middle Ages art,
Middle Ages philosophy, Middle Ages history, or Middle Ages
scholar.
Key Term:
Medieval- of or
relating to the
Middle Ages.
Key Term:
Middle Ages- the

period of European
history from the fall of
the Roman Empire in
the West (5th century)
to the fall of
Constantinople (1453),
or, more narrowly,
from circa 1100 to 1453.
 The Middle Ages can be broken up
into several time periods:
 Early, High and Late Middle Ages in
Europe-
 Religious Icons
 Romanesque Art/Architecture
 Gothic Architecture
 Byzantine Empire-
 Religious Icons
 Byzantine Architecture
Video-Tice Art 1010 Medieval and Byzantine Art
@ Beginning of Middle Ages
 Romanesque structures featured round
arches and heavy thick walls, small
windows like the Roman style (necessary
so the windows do not weaken the
structure). A lot of sculptural decorations.
 Gothic structures featured pointed arches
and have slender feel as if they soar upward
(to Heaven), large stained glass windows
filtered in light and color.
 Byzantine structures featured large
Domes that cover soaring spaces, arches
and lavish decoration.
 Rich colors
 Heavily outlined
 Flat and stiff figures showing no
depth
 Religious Icons
 Architecture is influenced by Greek
and Roman – Byzantine,
Romanesque and Gothic styles
emerged from this period.
 Mosaics replaced carved decoration
 Large Domes central to the church
 Also called the “Dark Ages”
 Characterized by decline in
population, culture, trade,
architectural and technological
advances.
 Christianization “age of Faith”

influenced art and architecture.
 Monasteries and churches grew in

number, size and political
importance.
 Focus on Europe
 Romanesque Architecture – 6c -10c

Art of the Early
Middle Ages
 Justinian as World
Conqueror
 Made of Ivory
 Made in mid-6th
century
 1 ft. 1 1/2 in. x 10 1/2
in.
 Christ Enthroned with
Saints
 Triptych
 Made of Ivory
 Made in 950
 9 1/2 in. x 5 1/2 in. high
 Ireland's Book of Kells, is
considered to be one of the
most beautiful illuminated
manuscript that survives
from the early Middle Ages.
 It consists of four Gospels
written in Latin.
 Only two of its 680 pages
are without color.
 10th -13th century (c.1001-1300)
 Rapidly increasing population =
boost in economy and political
organization.
 The Rise of Knighthood, Templar
Knights
 The Crusades –control of the Holy
Land
 Produced many forms of artistic
works
 Most notable - Gothic Architecture
 Glass Window from
Troyes Cathedral,
 Troyes, France - 1200
 14th -15th century (c. 1301–1500)
 Great Famine of 1315–1317 and the
Black Death, reduced population by
half!
 Social unrest, peasant uprisings,
Hundred Years War
 Conflict within Catholic Church
 Despite conflict and unrest it was a
time of great progress! A rebirth of
interest in Greek/Roman
ideals…turning into the “Age of
Discovery” and then Renaissance.
One of the finest examples of gothic architecture and most well known
churches in the world – Notre Dame de Paris
 One of the finest

examples of gothic
architecture and most
well known cathedrals
in the world – Notre
Dame de Paris
Key Term:
Cathedral-
the church
that contains
the bishop’s
throne.
 First to use Flying Buttresses
(Arched exterior support system to
accommodate higher and thinner
walls)
 Famous for the use of water spouts,
or gargoyles
 Completed in 1345
 The “rose window” contains
symbolism – center is blessed virgin
Mary and child who are surrounded
by prophets and saints.
 Christ as Savior of
Souls
 Early 14th century
 Tempera, linen and

silver on wood
 3 ft. 1/4 in. x 2 ft. 2 1/2

in.
 Madonna from the
Annunciation
 1340-1344
 Simone Martini
 Tempera on panel
Late 1400’s mural - dawning on realistic representations and attempt at
perspective
 Byzantine Art
 330 – 1453
 Mostly Religious Icons
 Used Ivory and Gold to show
the strength and power of
the empire
 Byzantine Empire – capital city
of Constantinople (modern day
Turkey.)
 Series of Monasteries were built
on various sites sacred to
religious events.
 Most prosperous and powerful
empire in the world during the
empire.
 Known as one of the
grandest examples of
Byzantine Architecture.
 A view of the dome
 Constantinople, (Istanbul),
Turkey
 Made in 532-537
 Oldest known monastery
 Mt. Sinai in the Sinai peninsula, the
peak where Moses received the Ten
Commandments
 Due to Isolation, the Monks devoted
much time to develop art which they
believed showed their devotion to
God.
 The monastery has one of the largest
collections of ancient illuminated
manuscripts in the world.
 This icon is believed to have
originated in Tuscany c. 1300
 Influenced a wide number of
paintings from the following century
as well as Florentine sculptures from
the 1440–1450s.
 This version was in turn widely copied
across Italy and northern Europe
during the 14th and 15th centuries.
 This work served as a bridge from
Byzantine to Early Renaissance.
Key Term
Clay- A soft,
moist material
used to create
artworks such
as sculpture
and pottery.
Key Term
Score- to
scratch hatch
marks into clay;
to attach two
pieces of clay
together.
Key Term
Firing-
Heating clay
to the
required
temperature
to harden.
Key Term
Kiln- The
furnace in
which clay
is fired to
harden it.
Key Term
Glaze- A glass-like
surface coating for
ceramics that is
used to decorate
and seal the pores
of the fired clay.
Video-Medieval Art History-Goodbye Art Academy

Medieval Art

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What were the main artistic styles that emerged during the Middle Ages?

How did religion influence art and architecture during the Middle Ages?

Why was art during the Middle

Ages often centered on religion?

 The Middle Ages followed

Middle Ages- the

 Christianization “age of Faith”

 Monasteries and churches grew in

 Romanesque Architecture – 6c -10c

 One of the finest

 Early 14th century

 Tempera, linen and

 3 ft. 1/4 in. x 2 ft. 2 1/2

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