Early Medieval art combines German and late Roman traditions, with influence
from northern Christian art and Islamic art from Spain. "Celtic and Germanic
peoples executed pieces in abstract patterns inherited from the Bronze and Iron
Ages, in a manner known as the animal style" (Stokstad, 182). Metalworking
was important in Anglo-Saxon art, such as the Gummersmark brooch. A purse cover
from the Sutton Hoo burial site is an another example of metalwork in animal
interlace pattern, with cloisonne enamel. Large decorated gospel books, such
as the Book of Kells, contained pages abstract ornament with hidden human and
animal forms. Vikings invaded northern Europe and left examples of their art
such as large rune stones and picture stones.
Medieval Spain was a combination of Christian and Islamic worlds, resulting
in the hybrid Mozarabic style. In France and Germany Charlemagne established
a far-reaching Christian empire. His palace at Aachen, Germany, is influenced
by the art of Rome and Ravenna. The octagonal structure, surrounded by an ambulatory
and gallery, focuses on the verticality of the central area. A westwork, or
monumental entrance section, emphasizes the main facade.The production of books
was important in this region as well. Examples include the Page with Matthew
the Evangelist, from the Ebbo Gospels, and the elaborate Crucifixion scene on
the cover of the Lindau Gospels.
The Ottonian period which followed introduced a style of large wood and bronze
sculpture "that would have a significant influence on later medieval art"
(Stokstad, 190). Drawing on Roman, Byzantine and Carolinian sources, this art
is exemplified in the Doors of Bishop Bernward, Hildesheim, Germany. German
artists from this period also had access to Italian art, which they reinterpreted
to create the Romanesque stlye.Source:
http://www2.students.sbc.edu/hill00/seniorseminar/summary4.html
TERMS
Feudalism
Cloisonné
Hiberno-Saxon
Carolingian
Charlemagne
Ottonian
Westwork - monumental entrance section
Embrasure - 1. The crenels or intervals between the merlons of a battlement.
2. An enlargement of a door or windown opeing at the inside face of the wall
by means of splayed sides.
SLIDES
Purse cover from the Sutton Hoo ship burial, Suffolk, England, c. 655
Symbol of St. Matthew from Echternach Gospels c. 700
The Book of Kells, Dublin, Ireland, late 8th to early 9th century
Chi-rho-iota page, The Birth of Christ 13” x 9 1/2” Tempera on vellum
The eight-circle Cross, St. Matthew’s Gospel
The Scribe Ezra Rewriting the Sacred Records, from the Codex Amiatinus, c. 689
- 719
Cover of the Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram, c. 870
Christ in Majesty, Four Evangelists, and Scenes from the Life of Christ
Cover of the Lindau Gospels, gold, precious stones, pearls c. 870
Schematic plan for a monastery at St. Gall, Switzerland, c.819
Abbey Church of St. Michael, Hildesheim, Germany, c. 1001-1031
Interior Nave
Nave Roof Frescos
Bronze doors 16’6” (Genesis & Life of Christ) 1015
Crucifix commissioned by Archbishop Gero for Cologne Cathedral , Germany Wood,
6’2”,
Cathedral, Cologne, c. 970
The Annunciation to the Shepherds, from the Lectionary of Henry 11, 1002-1014
Gospel Book of Otto III, 997 - 1000
Otto III Enthroned Receiving the Homage of Four Parts of the Empire,
St. Luke
DJB Quick Notes:
DJB In-Depth Notes: