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Middle Ages Art
Art during the Middle Ages saw many changes and the emergence of the early Renaissance period.
Byzantine Art was the name given to the style of art used in very early Middle Ages Art. This period
was also known as the Dark Ages ( 410 AD - 1066 AD ). The Dark Ages were followed by the
Medieval era of the Middle Ages (1066 - 1485) and changes in Middle Ages Art which saw the
emergence of the early Renaissance Art. To appreciate the full extent of the changes in Middle Ages
Art and the Early Renaissance it is helpful to understand its fore-runner - Byzantium Art and its
effects on art during the Middle Ages.
Effects on Middle Ages Art - Byzantine Art
The capitol of the Roman Empire was Byzantium, renamed Constantinople. The Roman Empire was
spit into two sections - the Eastern and Western part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire fell
when the German Visigoths, led by Alaric, sacked Rome. The Western part of the Empire
disintegrated but the Eastern, or Byzantium Empire, stayed in tact. The Catholic religion became
divided in the Great Schism. Early Middle Ages Art reflect the differences between the development
of the Catholic religion in the west and the Byzantium Empire. Dark Ages or early Middle Ages Art
was created largely for the Eastern Orthodox Church. The early Middle Ages art style was referred
to as Byzantine Art. The style of Byzantium Art was characterised by:
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Pietistic painting (religious art)
Artists were members of religious houses such as monasteries
There were no sculptures as these were looked upon as a form of idolatry
Sombre tones
Byzantine Art was totally flat - one dimensional. There was no perspective
There were no shadows
Figures in Byzantine Art were generally depicted front-facing
Byzantine Art featured long, narrow and solemn faces
There was no attempt to portray realism in sombre Byzantine Art
Early Middle Ages Art in what was the Western Empire - Romanesque
Art
The Western Empire (Europe) was dominated by warring factions and their quest for conquest and
power . Early Middle Ages Art was initially restricted to the production of Pietistic painting
(religious art) in the form of illuminated manuscripts, mosaics and fresco paintings in churches.
There were no portrait paintings. The colors were generally muted.
Medieval Gothic Art - Advances of Art in the Middle Ages
The Later Middle Ages saw the emergence of Gothic Art and the advances of art in the Middle Ages.
During this period artists broke away from the influences of the Byzantium and Romanesque art
style. It developed into Gothic and Middle Ages visual art. The artists and painters were founders of
the movement towards greater realism which culminated in the Renaissance art style. Middle Ages
art saw changes which included:
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Brighter colors
Sculptures
Metal work in the form of bronze art
Middle Ages art in the form of stained glass windows
Move towards realism
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The development of perspective and proportion in Middle Ages art
The use of shadows and light
New ideals of naturalism
Creation of a sense of pictorial space
The use of symmetry in Middle Ages art
Changes in subject matter including the depiction of animals and mythological scenes
Advances of Art in the Middle Ages - the Artists
The advances of art in the Middle Ages was due to the changes in more liberal religious beliefs and
the efforts and the pioneering art styles developed by the artists, sculptors and painters of the
Medieval period of the Middle Ages. The most important and famous artists and scultors of Middle
Ages art included Donatello, Giotto, Leon Battista Alberti, Cimabue, Filippo Brunelleschi, Fra
Angelico and Lorenzo Ghiberti. A short biography and timeline of these artists can be accessed from
the following links:
Donatello
Giotto
Leon Battista Alberti
Cimabue
Filippo Brunelleschi
Fra Angelico
Lorenzo Ghiberti
Middle Ages Art by Type
Middle Ages art increased from the type of art depicted in Pietistic painting (religious art) in the
form of illuminated manuscripts, mosaics and fresco paintings in churches. Middle Ages art included
the following art by type:
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Ceramic art
Mosaic
Tessera
Sculpture
Engraving
Stained Glass art
Heraldry
Illuminated manuscript
Metalwork especially bronze art
Silversmith and Goldsmith and new forms of jewelry
Painting
Fresco
Panel painting
Embroidery and tapestry art such as the Bayeux Tapestry
Middle Ages Art
Each section of this Middle Ages website addresses all topics and provides interesting facts and
information about these great people and events in bygone Medieval times including the Middle Ages
Art. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the
fascinating subject of the Middle Ages!