Medieval Art

1
VOCABULARY
Roman Catholic was the major religion. Church
leaders sat on the king's council and played
leading roles in government Artwork is all for
religious purposes. Medieval drama based on the
Bible stories
2
Medieval Art

• Feudal" system
• the king awarded land grants (fiefs) to nobles
  in return for soldiers for the army.
• peasants, also called (serfs)(villeins). In
  exchange for living and working on his land
  (demesne), the lord offered protection.
• Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of
  the castle, the church, the village, and the
  surrounding farm land.
• Many peasant families ate, slept, and spent time
  together in very small quarters, rarely more than
  one or two rooms.
• no adequate health care system. People believed
  that disease was spread by bad odors and diseases
  of the body resulted from sins of the soul.
• Most people in the Middles Ages wore wool
  clothing, with undergarments made of linen.
  Brighter colors, better materials, and a longer
  jacket length were signs of wealth.
• With trade and commerce, feudal life declined. As
  the tradesmen became wealthier, they resented
  having to give their profits to their lords.

3
Medieval Art

• MOSAICS
• Made of small pieces of colored glass, marble,
  stone put together to form an image or design

4
Medieval Art

• ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS
• picture books for those people who could not
  read
• Bible stories or calendars (Book of Hours)

• Churches
• Large structures to hold many people
• Decorated with Bible images

5

• GARGOYLES
• Carved in stone
• Strange looking creature on cathedrals that keep
  away evil spirits and enemies

6
Gothic ArtStained Glass Windows

• Colored glass
• For decoration
• Abstract or Bible images