Medieval Art: Romanesque and Gothic
I. Watch this video and answer the questions: http://educationportal.com/academy/lesson/romanesque-art-and-architecture.html#lesson
1. What two forms of art decorated the churches during the Romanesque era?
2. Name a piece of secular art from the Romanesque era.
II. A look at Romanesque architecture. Go to this website:
http://historylink101.com/lessons/art_history_lessons/ma/romanesque_architecture.htm
3. What does the design of the Romanesque church remind you of?
4. Why did they begin building churches in this design?
III. Romanesque Paintings.
http://art.mnac.cat/collection.html;jsessionid=1dbd155e7fcee1a2d8bf8821aa455f168eb8df14b223986a
e2a9d4449b875cfd?colId=romanic&lang=en
6. Select a painting from this webpage. Click on the painting to enlarge it and read the
description of the work. Describe the painting you selected.
7. What interests you about this particular painting?
IV. Gothic Architecture:
http://historylink101.com/lessons/art_history_lessons/ma/gothic_architecture.htm
8. What three design features characterized Gothic architecture?
9. These features allowed what to be added to the churches making them warm and inviting?
V. Gothic Paintings:
http://art.mnac.cat/collection.html;jsessionid=577638b6585b6b685c9573fa9750916adc1ac4951d37103
81c8574ad22615172?colId=gotic
10. As you look at the gothic paintings, what is your initial impression? What has changed most
dramatically from the Romanesque style of painting?
11. Select a painting from this webpage. Click on the painting to enlarge it and read the
description of the work. Describe the painting you selected.
VI. Animals in Medieval Art. Go to : http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/best/hd_best.htm
12. Name two animals that were used symbolically in Christian art.
13. What is the bestiary?
VII. A Coat of Arms
Symbolism was very important part of medieval art. Heraldry is a branch of medieval art that is
particularly rich in symbolism. Using this website, choose three symbols that might define your
family, life history, or character. One should be a color, one should be a plant, animal or object,
and the last one should be a geometric shape, such as a circle or square, which could be repeated.
Add your first or last name as a fourth element and decide how to represent it in graphic form.
http://www.familytreesandcrests.com/heraldry-symbols.htm