The Medieval Art

Charact erist ics of Medieval art

Religious based

Similarity in subjects

Symbolism rather than realism

Story telling

Size(bigger means more important)

The Christ ian Art
Christianity (from the Greek word Khristos, "Christ", literally "anointed one") is a
monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Main beliefs of Christianity

* belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Spirit
* the death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ
* the holiness of the Church and the communion of saints
* Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgment and salvation of the faithful.
* The Ten Commandments
Brief hist ory
A major turning point in Christian history occurred when the Roman Emperor Constantine
converted to Christianity. Whether this conversion was sincere or politically motivated,
historians can only speculate. But the result was the end of persecution of Christians and
the beginning of Christendom.

The Edict of Milan was issued by Emperor Constantine I in A.D. 313. It declared the Roman
Empire's new found policy of tolerance toward worship of Christianity. Christians were
subsequently allowed to worship their religion in public places, and had all relics and
properties that had been taken by the Romans returned to them.
What is it about Christ ian art t hat is so special t o us?
Christian art bring us continual peace, quiet joy and timeless inspiration.

We treasure Christian art because it expresses all of the emotions that we feel in
our Christian life. It portrays the truth of the Bible and takes us all the way back
to the times of the Bible to "see" how it might have been.

Christian art is defined by every Bible subject from Jesus to angels. The
selection is never ending and we are blessed with the opportunity to fill our
home and hearts with the Bible portrayed in beautiful Christian art.
Cat acombs

One of the first forms of Christian art.

The catacombs are the ancient underground cemeteries, used by the Christian
and the Jewish communities, above all at Rome. For Christians, burial is just a
temporary moment while they wait for the final resurrection.
There are two categories of images painted on walls and ceilings and
carved in the Christian catacombs. In one category, we find scenes
depicting stories from scripture. That, of course, does not surprise us.
However, in the second category, there are many images which are
unrelated to specific bible stories. In fact, these images are shared, both in
design and in meaning.
The Last Supper
Leonardo Da Vinci
You can see that every single
element of the painting directs
one's attention straight to the
midpoint of the composition,
Christ's head. It's arguably the
greatest example of one point
perspective ever created.
The Byzantine Art
The Byzantine Empire or Eastern Roman Empire, was the Roman Empire
during the Middle Ages, centered on the capital of Constantinople, and ruled by
Emperors. It was called the Roman Empire by its inhabitants and its neighbors,
and was also known as Romania

Constantine the Great wanted this city to be built from scratch as the center
of the Christian world. He and his following emperors made Constantinople
into one of the most elaborate and civilized cities in the world.
Characteristics of Byzantine Art
Byzantine paintings and mosaics
are characterized by rich use of color
And figures which seem flat and stiff
The figures also tend to appear to be
floating, and to have large eyes.
Backgrounds tend to be solidly golden or toned.
Byzantine architects favored the central
plan covered by a huge dome.
Don't use perspective
Images are not friendly, they look at the
front
Not naturalistic and full of
Conventionalism
Deformations and too stylized features
colors are flat w/o shades or differences
of tonality
Images are limited by thick black lines
to give impression of deepness they
draw parallel lines
Iconography is the branch of art history which studies the identification, description, and the
interpretation of the content of images. The word iconography literally means "image writing",

Iconography

Icon creates reverence in worship and serves as an existential link to God.

Icon has been called prayer, hymn, sermon in form and color. It's used as an
object or veneration in Orthodox churches and private homes.

Learn how to identify the saints in medieval and renaissance

art.

Read the stories that the paintings refer to.

Romanesque Art

The art of the Romanesque period was characterized by an important revival of

monumental forms, notably sculpture and fresco painting, which developed in
close association with architectural decoration and exhibited a forceful and often
severely structural quality. At the same time an element of realism, which parallels
the first flowering of vernacular literature, came to the fore. It was expressed in
terms of a direct and naive observation of certain details drawn from daily life
and a heightened emphasis on emotion and fantasy.

Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular,
symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of simplicity has
clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that
the overall appearance is one of simplicity
Characteristics of Romanesque Architecture
* harmonious proportions
* stone barrel vault or groin vault
* thick and heavy walls
* thick and heavy pillars
* small windows
* round arches supporting the roof
* round "blind arches" used extensively for decoration inside and out
* nave with side aisles
* Darker simplistic interiors
* a transept
* an ambulatory (often with radiating chapels) around the apse
* multiple towers, usually at the west end and over the transept crossing
* sculptured decoration on portals, capitals and other surfaces
* painted decoration throughout the interior )
GothicArt

The word "Gothic" for art was initially used as a synonym for "Barbaric", and was
therefore used as a negative term of opprobrium: this type of Medieval art was
considered as unrefined and barbaric, too remote from the aesthetic proportions
and shapes

Primary media in the Gothic period included sculpture, panel painting, stained glass,
fresco and illuminated manuscript.

The paintings were at least half shrouded in darkness as if to revere the harsh
past, and led to the light of Christianity and naturalism.
Characteristics of GothicArchitecture
*Pointed Arch
*Flying Buttresses
*Stained Glass windows and Rose type of windows
*Elaborate,ornate interior
*Taller more airy, lots of light
*Lavish sculpture-larger than life
*Gargoyles- began as a water sprout
-people add them for beauty,protection and water diversion some
people believe that they keep evil spirits from buildings by scaring
them away