Carolingian and Ottonian Art

Reading,Stokstad, 438-451.

Range:700-1053 CECarolingian and Ottonian

Terms/Concepts:Carolingian, repousse, scriptorium, orthodoxy,

Monument List Equestrian portrait of Charles the

Bald (grandson of Charlemagne)Ninth century.

Interior of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. Aachen, 792-805.

Saint Matthew. Folio 18. Ebbo Gospels, from Hautevillers. c.816-835.

St. Matthew, Coronation Gospels,Carolingian, Early 9th Century

Doors, commissioned by Bishop Bernward for Saint Michael’s, 1015

The growth of the Islamic world (seventh and eighth centuries) came at the cost of the Byzantine Empire.

In 732, the Franks, under the leadership of Charles Martel, stopped the Muslim invasion at Poitiers.

Poitiers

The grandson of Charles Martel is Charlemagne [Charles the Great], and he ruled 768-814.

Art from Charlemagne’s lifetime and for a while afterwards is known as Carolingian art

The word “Carolingian” comes from “Carolus” (Latin for “Charles”)

Charlemagne established his court (seat of government) in Aachen.

Aachen

Passage between palace and chapel

Plan of Charlemagne’s Palace and Chapel, Aachen, 792-805.

Palace Chapel

Restored plan of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805

Cross-section

Restored plan of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. Aachen. 792-805.

Entrance.

Entrance of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. Aachen. 792-805.

Entrance of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. 792-805. Aachen.

Throne, Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen.

Throne, Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805.

Interior of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805.

Throne

Throne, Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen.

Interior of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805.

Throne

Opposite side, Interior of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805

Altar

Throne

Altar

Dome

Christ

Interior of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. Aachen, 792-805.

Interior of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805.

Throne

Restored plan of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. 792-805. Aachen.

Entrance

Throne

Altar (1st floor)

Christ (dome)

Charlemagne visited Ravenna and took away an equestrian statue of an emperor.

Ravenna

Aachen

Restored plan of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805.

Plan of San Vitale. Ravenna, Italy. c.520-547.

Aerial view of San Vitale. c.520-547. Ravenna, Italy.

Clerestory

Reconstructed drawing of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne. Aachen. 792-805.

Clerestory

Saint Matthew. Folio 15. Coronation Gospels, from Aachen. c.800-810.

Saint Matthew. Folio 18. Ebbo Gospels, from Hautevillers. c.816-835.

Saint Matthew. Folio 15. Coronation Gospels, from Aachen. c.800-810.

Saint Matthew. Folio 18. Ebbo Gospels, from Hautevillers. c.816-835.

Angel

St. Matthew Writing His Gospel. Lindisfarne Gospels. From Lindisfarne, England. c.715- 720.

Saint Matthew. Folio 18. Ebbo Gospels, from Hautevillers. c.816-835.

Psalms 43-44. Folio 25. Utrecht Psalter, from Hautevillers. c.825-850.

Saint Matthew. Folio 18. Ebbo Gospels, from Hautevillers. c.816-835.

Equestrian portrait of Charles the Bald (grandson of Charlemagne)Ninth century.

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Roman Imperial, Rome, c.176 CE.

Equestrian portrait of Charles the Bald (grandson of Charlemagne) 9th century.

renovatio imperii Romani

renewal of the Roman empire

Charlemagne visited Ravenna and took away an equestrian statue of an emperor.

Ravenna

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Roman Imperial, Rome, c.176 CE.

Equestrian portrait of Charles the Bald (grandson of Charlemagne) 9th century.

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Roman Imperial, Rome, c.176 CE.

Equestrian portrait of Charles the Bald (grandson of Charlemagne) 9th century.

Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Roman Imperial, Rome, c.176 CE.

Equestrian portrait of Charles the Bald (grandson of Charlemagne) 9th century.

Orb of power

Byzantine emperor receiving

orb of power

Archangel Michael, Constantinople, Byzantine, Early sixth century.

Equestrian portrait of Charles the Bald (grandson of Charlemagne) 9th century.

Plaque reads (in Latin): THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

Crucifixion with angels and mourning figures, front cover of the Lindau Gospels, From Saint Gall, c.870-880

After Charlemagne, his empire split within decades. German-speaking lands were later ruled by three successive emperors, each named Otto.

Ottonian Art

named after the period corresponding to a dynasty begun by

Otto I (ruled 936-973)

Otto II (ruled 973-983)

Otto III (ruled 983-1002)

Saint Michael’s. Hildesheim, Germany. 1001-1031.

New TestamentOld Testament

Doors, commissioned by Bishop Bernward, Abbey Church of St. Michael, Hildesheim, Germany, 1015

Creation of Eve and Adam

God introduces Eve and Adam to each other

Temptation and Fall

Judgment The Blame Game

(Stokstad 14-24)

Expulsion from Garden of Eden

Struggling against the land(Stokstad 14-24)

Offerings by Abel and Cain

Lamb

Grain

Cain slays Abel

Cain

Cain

Abel

Offerings by Abel and Cain

Lamb

Grain

Cain slays Abel

Cain

Cain

Abel

Rebecca and Eliezer at the well. Folio 7 of the Vienna Genesis. Early 6th century.

Continuous Narrative

Offerings by Abel and Cain

Lamb

Grain

Cain slays Abel

Cain

Cain

AbelThe Parting of the Red Sea (Detail), House Synagogue, Dura Europos, Syria, 244-245.

Hand of God

The Annunciation

Mary Gabriel

Nativity

(Stokstad 14-24)

Adoration of the Magi (Wise Men)

Presentation of Christ in Temple

Old Testament New Testament

Judgment of Christ by Pilate

Crucifixion

(Stokstad 14-24)

Three Marys at the Tomb

Ascension

Gero Crucifix commissioned by Archbishop Gero, Cathedral, Cologne, c.970

INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum) – This is the King of the Jews

Gero Crucifix commissioned by Archbishop Gero, Cathedral, Cologne, c.970

Gero Crucifix. Cathedral, Cologne, c. 970.

Crucifixion with angels and mourning figures, front cover of the Lindau Gospels. c.870-880.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. How did Charlemagne present himself as a Roman emperor through his religious and political art?