Roman catacomb, 300s CE

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Medieval Art 300-1400 CE From Grottos to Giottos
Roman catacomb, 300s CE wall painting over a
sarcophagus
Giotto, Enthroned Madonna, 1310
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0-300 CE We begin with the sense of the
internal ---secrecy, symbols
500-800-- Dark Ages By the 5th century, the
Roman Empire is shaken with attacks, Rome falls
in 476 CE. The security of the empire is
shattered---enter the Dark Ages between the
rule of two great emperors, Justinian (500s) and
Charlemagne (800s)
early Christian church Rome, 350 CE
Roman catacombs, 250 CE
Darkness 500 CE-----------------800 CE
313 CE Emperor Constantines decree legalizes
Christianity, beginning a long march of political
and social power in the name of the Catholic
church
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Meanwhile, during these shaky times of the Dark
Ages, Irish monasteries act as keepers of books
ILLUMINATIONS manuscript illustrations Book of
Kells, Ireland, 700-800s Tempera on
vellum Geometric intricacy and abstraction
Ireland Established early Christian monasteries
independent from the uncertainties of Romanesque
Roman Empire
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What would it take for our contemporary world to
turn into chaos?
Out of chaos, we make a world, a consequence of
art Hans Hofmann
That nature is chaotic and that the artist puts
order into is is absurd Willem de Kooning
Two views of abstract artists who emigrated to
New York City after World War II
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What values would we protect?Who would keep
the books?
(Is it war or is it freedom?)
Warhol, Liberty, silkscreen,1986
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Charlemagne742-814 CE(Charles the Great)

• 800 CE, Christmas Day--crowned Holy Roman Emperor
  by the pope
• Frankish king (Germany)
• Seat of power shifts from Mediterranean to the
  North---England, France, Germany
• Power for Charlemagne but also power for the pope
• Aachen (Germany) becomes cultural center
• Restored Latin as primary literary language
• Improved education for boys and girls
• Restoration of Greco-Roman learning and authority

Although Charlemagne encouraged education for
all, he himself was illiterate, signing his name
with an X
The term Romanesque describes the time period
between 800-1100 CE, when buildings around Europe
were constructed in the manner of the
Romans---rounded arches, thick walls, little
exterior decoration
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Romanesque Illuminations transmit the sense of
God without the knowledge of God
Miniator- small scenes
Rubricator letters and numbers
Listen and attend with the ear of your
heart Prefer nothing to the love of Christ St.
Benedict, 6th century
St. John, the Gospel Book of Abbot Wedricus, 1147
Letter Q, from Evangeliary of Abbey at St. Omer,
c. 1000
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9th-12th centuries Sensing is IN
Knowledge is OUT Which way are you guided?? Do
you like to know or sense?
Hildegard, Universal Man , 1165 In her Play of
the Virtues, an oratorio for women, the only
male part is that of the devil, who cannot sing
Receiving her vision
Do you think that Leonardo saw this when
designing the Vitruvian Man?
Hildegard von Bingenabbess, poet,
visionary--1098-1179 wrote songs and created
illuminations in praise of God. Her mysticism
might have been thought of as heresy if she had
lived a little later in the Mid Ages. Migraines
or visions?
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Life After Charlemagne

• 870--remains of his empire are ruled by
  grandsons, Charles the Bald (France) and Louis
  the German (Germany)
• Weak rule, came under attack
• Although empires are collapsing, Church of Rome
  remains strong
• Increased authority of the pope
• Calls itself Catholic which means universal
• Much of the art is made in service to the Church
• Normans (from Norway, Vikings) took control of
  England, Ireland, Italy
• 962--Otto I, a Saxon king, is crowned emperor,
  Ottonian Empire
• Holy Roman Empire under German rule

The Catholic church inserts its
power---- Crusades begin in 1095 CE, an effort to
reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims ---lookout
if you are the second son. All non-Christians,
including Jews, are targets
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Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1073-1088

• Describes the Norman invasion of William the
  Conqueror, coming from the coast of France to
  England, in 1066 CE
• Is actually an embroidery, 2 ft. x 230 ft.
• The Normans have shaved heads while the Brits
  have moustaches
• The sad fate of King Harold is a mystery.was it
  an arrow in the eye? hacking off his legs? Or a
  spear in his chest?
• Gives historians a true glimpse of costume and
  armor of the medieval agenow housed in Bayeux,
  France

Well, its really an embroidery
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Norman William the Conquerorversus British King
Harold
Harolds unfortunate demiseshown in
triplicate eye, legs, chest
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24 dogs and 194 horses553 birds and mythical
creatures
The Bayeux Tapestry is featured in computer game
Diablo II as well as the movie, Shrek the Third
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Narrative Art ---whats the meaning of battle
and valor?