Review Outline
Early European
29-526 CE
edited October 13, 2015
2014-2015
Enduring Understanding
Art of this period studied in chronological order and divided into
geographical regions, governing cultures, identifiable styles with
considerable overlap in time, geography, heritage of art
Numerous religions (Jewish, Christian, Islamic) and languages (Greek,
Latin, Arabic) have created a fragmentation of Early European (Medieval)
art
Essential Knowledge
 Influence of Roman art and tribes of Eastern Europe, West Asia,
Scandanavia
 Architecture is primarily religious in nature
 Figure work was primarily religious, avoided naturalism and
incorporated text until later medieval period
 Contextual information comes primarily from literary, theological
(secular and religious) records.
 Overall, in Mediterranean region Christian themes proliferated after
Constantine converted the empire leading to established standards of
imagery (Christ) and building (basilica church). Classical style was
rejected in favor of non-naturalistic style with hieratical images that
brought focus on the spiritual as opposed to natural worlds
Geographic/Cultural Context
Geography, Politics, Religion
Geography
 Empire divides east (Byzantium) and west (Rome)
Politics
 Decline of Roman empire
o Invasion from north Europe-Germanic tribes
 Rome sacked twice 410, 455
o Plague from east
o General civil conflict within the empire
 Military, economic, political
o Gradual shift east
Religion
 Polytheism to monotheism
o Rise of Christianity
 Edict of Milan – 313 CE
 Religious tolerance
 Council of Nicea -325 CE
 Formalizing of Christianity in Roman
Empire
 Constantine moves capital from Rome to
Byzantium -330
 Constantine’s conversion 337
o Judaism
 Emergence of eastern and western churches
o east (Byzantium-Orthodox) and west (Rome-Catholic)
Art Context
Christian imagery, Architecture, Mediums
Christian imagery
 Shift in view/presentation of the figure
o Naturalism to symbolism (spiritual)
 Blurred pagan imagery with classical
 Perceptual to conceptual
o Became more standardized
 Two periods-pre 313 and post 313
o Pre more discreet; post more public
Architecture
 Development of Christian church designs
o Basilica plan
o Central plan
 Catacombs-burial chambers
o Primary source of Christian imagery
o In Rome
Artistic mediums
 Mosaic
 Fresco
 Manuscript illumination
 Marble
o sarcophagi
Key art images-with star in slide show
Vocabulary words
Catacombs-subterranean networks of rock-cut galleries and chambers
designed as cemeteries for the burial of the dead
Syncretism-assimilation by artists of images from other religious traditions;
creation of new meanings assigned
Orant-figures that take pose of outstretched arms in prayer
Clerestory - the topmost zone of a wall with windows in a basilica
extending above the aisle roofs. Provides direct sunlight into the central
interior space (nave)
Mosaic-images made using small pieces of stone or glass embedded in
cement; usually on walls or floors