Art of Medieval
Europe
Reign of Religion
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
A mixture of Roman,
Middle Eastern & European influences
Art is primarily made for the church
Begins with Fall of the Roman Empire;
Ends with the Renaissance
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Two divisions linked
to different global locations:
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
These two divisions are linked
to global locations:
Europe: Romanesque & Gothic
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
These two divisions are linked
to global locations:
Europe: Romanesque & Gothic
The East: Early Islamic & Byzantine
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
invaders from Northern Europe,
primarily Germany, destroy
almost everything Rome developed
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
invaders from Northern Europe,
primarily Germany, destroy
almost everything Rome developed
Buildings
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
invaders from Northern Europe,
primarily Germany destroy
almost everything Rome developed
Buildings
Sculpture
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
invaders from Northern Europe,
primarily Germany destroy
almost everything Rome developed
Buildings
Sculpture
government
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Social Changes of the Medieval Period:
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Social Changes of the Medieval Period:
The center of art and innovation moves
away from Rome to the North of
Europe –
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Social Changes of the Medieval Period:
The center of art and innovation moves
away from Rome to the North of
Europe – Britain, France, Germany
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Social Changes of the Medieval Period:
The center of art and innovation moves
away from Rome to the North of
Europe – Britain, France, Germany
There is no central base of power
coming from Rome –
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Social Changes of the Medieval Period:
The center of art and innovation moves
away from Rome to the North of
Europe – Britain, France, Germany
There is no central base of power
coming from Rome –
many different rulers
all fighting for power
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Religious Changes of Medieval Period:
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Religious Changes of Medieval Period
Focus of life changes from here and now
to life hereafter
(what happens after Death?)
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Religious Changes of Medieval Period
Focus on gaining acceptance into a
Christian Heaven
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Religious Changes of Medieval Period
Focus on gaining acceptance into a
Christian Heaven
Human body no longer celebrated as
a beautiful thing
It’s now sinful and corrupt
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Art Changes of Medieval Period:
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Art Changes of Medieval Period:
Art no longer concerned with harmony,
balance and realism…
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Art Changes of Medieval Period:
Art no longer concerned with harmony,
balance and realism…
art now concerned with
worshipping God &
converting people to Christianity
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Art Changes of Medieval Period:
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Art Changes of Medieval Period:
Greco-Roman interest in realism dies.
Art of Medieval Europe
400 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
Art Changes of Medieval Period:
Greco-Roman interest in realism dies.
Art becomes
the servant of the Church
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Northern European
Germany, England, Parts of France
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Northern European
Germany, England, Parts of France
Art is primarily highly decorated
cathedrals, stained glass windows
& skinny sculptures
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Northern European
Germany, England, Parts of France
Art is primarily highly decorated
cathedrals, stained glass windows
& skinny sculptures
Believed a beautiful church with
beautiful art would inspire people
To believe in God & be good
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Notre Dame
Cathedral
France, 1200 AD
ARCHITECTURE: Huge cathedrals
that took centuries to make
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Very tall with lots of windows
to let in light
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Pointed arches and vaults
Decorated with lacey, intricate
Decorations of cut Stone
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
SCULPTURE:
Greco-Roman
interest in realism dies.
Long and skinny
figures that are very
unnatural
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Show ignorance of
human anatomy As
the focus is now on
religion & the spirit,
not body.
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Show ignorance of
human anatomy As
the focus is now on
religion & the spirit,
not body.
Figures are covered
with heavy drapery
to hide the body
no more nudes
Gothic Art
1200 to 1400 A.D.
Stained glass
Lets in light
Illustrates stories
of the bible
Used to help
illiterate church
goers to
understand
stories of the
Bible
STAINED GLASS
Symbols, patterns and Designs
STAINED GLASS
Symbols, patterns and Designs
STAINED GLASS
Figures from historical events
STAINED GLASS
Creatures of lore
STAINED GLASS
Creatures of lore
Medieval
Illuminated Manuscripts
& Bestiaries
Highly decorative
borders, initials &
spot illustrations
Seemed to ‘glow’
Vibrant color & real
gold used for
embellishment
Most illuminated
manuscripts were
religiously based
Bible stories
Medieval
Bestiaries
Some illuminated
manuscripts depicted
animals & birds in an
encyclopedia-like
format known as
bestiaries
description of:
animal’s appearance
habitat
Behaviors
symbolic attributes
Illustration
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
Eastern Mediterranean Art:
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
Eastern Mediterranean Art:
Turkey, Jerusalem, portions of
Europe and Middle East
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
Eastern Mediterranean Art:
Turkey, Jerusalem, portions of
Europe and Middle East
Combination of Early Christian Art
Middle Eastern influences
Known for a plethora
of decoration & color
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
ARCHITECTURE:
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
ARCHITECTURE:
Created
cathedrals
that all other
cathedrals
thereafter
would copy
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
ARCHITECTURE:
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
ARCHITECTURE:
Full of mosaics
pieces of cut glass affixed
to a flat surface
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
ARCHITECTURE:
Full of mosaics
pieces of cut glass affixed
to a flat surface
Many windows & huge
interiors
Creates airy and bright
Interiors
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
ARCHITECTURE:
What effect would these
bright, large, beautiful
cathedrals have on those
who worship in it?
Byzantine Art
400 to 1400 A.D.
ARCHITECTURE:
So……
why would Byzantine leaders
want to build cathedrals
in this way?
Hagia Sophia - Turkey
530 A.D.
Hagia Sophia - Turkey
530 A.D.
Hagia Sophia - Turkey
Which elements are of
a Roman influence?
Hagia Sophia - Turkey
530 A.D.
Hagia Sophia - Turkey
530 A.D.
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
Islam - Religion based around the
prophet Mohammed & the god Allah,
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
Islam - Religion based around the
prophet Mohammed & the god Allah,
developed around 600 A.D.
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
Islam - Religion based around the
prophet Mohammed & the god Allah,
developed around 600 A.D.
Islam forbids idolatry
(the representation of human forms)
particularly that of Allah
and/or his prophets
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
Artwork is instead
geometric & Abstract
shows no living creatures
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
Artwork is instead
geometric & Abstract
shows no living creatures
Sculpture was thought evil
most artwork was giant religious
architecture &
architectural decoration
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
Most well-known
Islamic art is the
mosque, or religious
place of worship
Dome of the Rock,
Jerusalem, 7th
century
Built around the rock upon which Muslims
believe Mohammed rose to Heaven.
EARLY ISLAMIC ART
Most well-known
Islamic art is the
mosque, or religious
place of worship
Dome of the Rock,
Jerusalem, 7th
century
Oldest piece of Islamic architecture
Exterior: Giant dome covered with
melted down gold coins
Early Islamic Art
Main building covered with colorful
Turkish tiles in abstract designs