The Middle Ages – c. The Middle Ages – c. 814814

Middle Ages EraMiddle Ages Era 481 CE – First Catholic King Clovis unites 481 CE – First Catholic King Clovis unites

the Franks – forms Frankish Kingdom in the Franks – forms Frankish Kingdom in Gaul – establishes the Merovingian Gaul – establishes the Merovingian DynastyDynasty

66thth century CE – Pope Gregory the Great century CE – Pope Gregory the Great implements chant as the standard form implements chant as the standard form of church music – calls it plainchant of church music – calls it plainchant (later called Gregorian Chant)(later called Gregorian Chant)

600 – 1050 CE – Period called the Early 600 – 1050 CE – Period called the Early Middle AgesMiddle Ages

750 CE – The first English Epic poem – 750 CE – The first English Epic poem – Beowulf – is writtenBeowulf – is written

750 CE – Irish monks produce the Book 750 CE – Irish monks produce the Book of Kellsof Kells

Middle Ages EraMiddle Ages Era 800 CE – Charlemagne is crowned Holy 800 CE – Charlemagne is crowned Holy

Roman Emperor by Pope on Christmas Roman Emperor by Pope on Christmas Day – start of Holy Roman EmpireDay – start of Holy Roman Empire

871 CE – Alfred the Great unifies 871 CE – Alfred the Great unifies England and writes first code of laws England and writes first code of laws for English peoplefor English people

1111thth century CE – Song of Roland is century CE – Song of Roland is written in France – one of earliest written in France – one of earliest French written poems – national epic French written poems – national epic of Franceof France

1050 – 1200 CE – Medieval Era also 1050 – 1200 CE – Medieval Era also called Romanesque Era in Art Historycalled Romanesque Era in Art History

Romanesque EraRomanesque Era 1111thth – 14 – 14thth century CE – Troubadours appear century CE – Troubadours appear

in Provence (southern France) and spread in Provence (southern France) and spread through Europe – singing songs and telling through Europe – singing songs and telling stories of epic romances and chivalry (Holy stories of epic romances and chivalry (Holy Grail, etc)Grail, etc)

1066 CE – William the Conqueror invades and 1066 CE – William the Conqueror invades and conquers England from Normandy (France)conquers England from Normandy (France)

1079 CE – Scholasticism develops as new 1079 CE – Scholasticism develops as new form of philosophy combining Aristotle with form of philosophy combining Aristotle with Medieval thoughtMedieval thought

1212thth century CE – pilgrimage routes are century CE – pilgrimage routes are established throughout Europe and the Holy established throughout Europe and the Holy Land for people to visit Holy sights and relicsLand for people to visit Holy sights and relics

Middle Ages Art Middle Ages Art CharacteristicsCharacteristics Decayed styleDecayed style Faulty proportions (arms, legs, Faulty proportions (arms, legs,

head too large)head too large) Focus on symbol not styleFocus on symbol not style Focus on the power of the ChurchFocus on the power of the Church Religious themes (mainly Religious themes (mainly

Christian)Christian)

Barbarian ArtBarbarian Art

Frankish (Merovingian) Looped Fibula

6th - 7th Centuries

France

Craftwork

silver gilt worked in filigree with inlays of garnets and other stones4 in. long

Merovingian art is a combination of French and German styles

Briton/Dane ArtBriton/Dane Art

Purse CoverPurse Cover 77thth century CE century CE Sutton Hoo, EnglandSutton Hoo, England CraftworkCraftwork Animal patternAnimal pattern Man with animals on Man with animals on

either side and birds either side and birds in middlein middle

Ivory background with Ivory background with garnet, gold and garnet, gold and enamelenamel

Sutton Hoo Ship Burial Sutton Hoo Ship Burial and Artifactsand Artifacts

Burial Ship

ca. 825

Oseberg, Norway

Sculpturewood75 1/2 ft. long

Viking rulers were usually buried in their ships

Animal-Head Post

ca. 825Oseberg, Norway

Sculptureapproximately 5 in. high

Intricate woodwork is typical of Norse art

Cross and Carpet page from Lindisfarne Gospels

ca. 698 – 721

Northumbria, England

Illuminated manuscript

Artist: Eadfrith

Intertwining so intricate almost impossible to tell that some of the shapes are animalsSort of a sacred riddle

Chi-rho-iota page

800 CEIona, Scotland

Illuminated Manuscript

From the Book of KellsCreated on Scottish island by Irish monksConsidered the masterpiece of illuminated manuscripts

High Cross of Muiredach

ca. 923

Monasterboice, Ireland

Sculpture16 ft. high

Typical of Celtic weaving patterns

Considered masterpiece of Celtic stonework

Middle Ages ArtMiddle Ages Art

Interior of Palace Interior of Palace ChapelChapel

792 – 805 CE792 – 805 CE Aachen, GermanyAachen, Germany ArchitectureArchitecture Artist: Odo of MetzArtist: Odo of Metz Palace of Palace of

CharlemagneCharlemagne Built on plans of Built on plans of

Constantine’s Lateran Constantine’s Lateran Basilica to show Basilica to show Charlemagne’s power Charlemagne’s power and attachment to and attachment to RomeRome

Palace Chapel of Palace Chapel of CharlemagneCharlemagne

Equestrian portrait of Charlemagne(?)

early 9th century

Metz, France

Sculpture

bronze, originally gilt9 1/2 in. high

Gold has worn off

St. Matthew from Coronation Gospels

ca. 800-810

Aachen, Germany

Illuminated Manuscript

12 3/4 x 10 in.

This Bible was made to commemorate Charlemagne’s coronation as Holy Roman Emperor

Saint Matthew from Ebbo Gospels

ca. 816 – 835

Hautvillers, France

Illuminated Manuscript

10 1/4 x 8 3/4 in.

Almost modern art like as compared to Coronation Gospels created less than 10 years earlier

Middle Ages ArtMiddle Ages Art St. John St. John 800 – 810 CE800 – 810 CE Aachen, GermanyAachen, Germany Illuminated Illuminated

ManuscriptManuscript Sense of Roman style Sense of Roman style

still appearsstill appears From Charlemagne’s From Charlemagne’s

Coronation GospelCoronation Gospel

Saint John from Ebbo Gospels

ca. 816 – 835

Hautvillers, France

Illuminated manuscript10 1/4 x 8 3/4 in.

Less than 10 years difference but totally different in style and skill from Coronation Gospels

Psalm 44 of the Utrecht Psalter

ca. 820 – 835

Hautvillers, France (near Reims)

Illuminated Manuscript1 ft. 1 in. x 9 7/8 in.

Hautvillers was the most prolific scriptorium in Europe

Masterwork of Carolingian manuscripts

Middle Ages ArtMiddle Ages ArtPlan of a monasteryPlan of a monastery

Middle Ages ArtMiddle Ages Art

Front Cover from Front Cover from Lindau GospelsLindau Gospels

870 CE870 CE Lindau, GermanyLindau, Germany CraftworkCraftwork Also made at Reims Also made at Reims

scriptoriumscriptorium Gold work with Gold work with

encrusted jewelsencrusted jewels Masterpiece of gold Masterpiece of gold

workwork

Torhalle (gatehouse)

9th century

Lorsch, Germany

Architecture

Typical Carolingian style architecture

Abbey Church of St. Michael’s

ca. 1001-1031

Hildesheim, Germany

Architecture

Interior is considered masterpiece of Ottonian Art

Abbey Church of St. Michael’s - Interior

ca. 1001-1031

Hildesheim, Germany

Typical basilica plan – painted roof is exceptional

Gero Crucifix

ca. 970

Cologne Cathedral, Germany Sculpture

commissioned by Archbishop Gero

6 ft. 2 in. high

Considered early middle ages sculptural masterpiece

The end ….The end ….

Next lecture … RomanesqueNext lecture … Romanesque