The Middle Ages in Western Europe

Chapter 14 Lessons One and Two

Early Middle Ages:Early Christian:  200 AD – 550Dark Ages:  550-750Carolingian and Ottonian:  750-1000

Romanesque:  1000-1150Gothic:

High Gothic:  1150-1400Late Gothic:  1300-1500

The Middle Ages in Western Europe:

The Medieval ChurchDevils and DivisionVisions of Heaven and

HellDivision of clergy into

secular and cloistered

Dark Ages a.k.a. The Age of Faith

Charlemagne:  The Roman Ideal"Charles the Great" – semiliterate

All of Western part of the old Roman Empire except Britain, Spain, southern Italy, and Africa.

Revived art and learningWelcomed Jewish immigration and trade throughout the Mediterranean

Carolingian and Ottonian: Charlemagne's Empire

PaintingTangible expression of faithMade the rites of the church more vivid

Illustrate Church Doctrine and history

Art of the Early Middle Ages

Illuminated ManuscriptsChange to codex format from scrolls

Influence of Irish art on Greco-Roman prototypes

flat, ornamental, precisely rendered, highlight & shadow, few colors, figures outlined

Art of the Early Middle Ages

SculptureA minor or small scale artProhibition of graven images by Old Testament

Gero Crucifix is a contrast to Christus Rex typeSuffering Christ vs. Risen and Glorious Christ

Art of the Early Middle Ages

Gero Crucifix Christus Rex

Purpose: DefenseEliminated possibility of windows

Three styles: Motte-and-bailey: a high mound (motte) of earth on which sat a wooden tower overlooking a courtyard (bailey). Both the Motte and bailey surrounded by a moat.

Romanesque : Castles

Corfe Castle

Restormel Castle

Stone keep: 3 or 4-story story castle. Square with square towers at each corner and a carefully defended entrance at ground level

Romanesque : Castles (cont.)

Concentric Castle: two rings of walls for protection. Inner wall higher than outer wall

Romanesque : Castles (cont.)

Layout: Thick walls with narrow slits for archers

Steep Stairs, dark and narrow passageways

Drafty rooms sparsely furnished

Romanesque : Castles (cont.)

Layout (cont.): Tapestries sometimes adorned walls to keep dampness out.Tapestries: textile wall hangings that were woven, painted, or embroidered with colorful scenes

Romanesque: Castles (cont.)

At the center of EVERY townExemplified the power and wealth of the ChurchRichly decorated stone Roman cross ground plan, side aisles, larger size (carryover of Carolingian design)

Romanesque: Churches

Apse

Aisle

Nave

Transept

Aisle

Aisle

Aisle

Bays Ambulato

ry

Size of Churches increased to accommodate PilgrimagesNave and Transept extendedAdded an aisle on each side of the Nave

Added ambulatorywalking space curving around the main altar

Romanesque: Churches (cont.)

Added altars in small curved chapels built along the transept and ambulatoryTo accommodate the necessary additional priests

Romanesque: Churches (cont.)

Stone vaulted roof used a system of vaults, transverse arches and bays to create an open, high central spacetransverse arch: pointed arches

bay: any of a number of similar major vertical divisions of a large interior, a.k.a. a wall

Romanesque: Churches (cont.)

Relief SculpturePurpose: to teach the faith

Capital decorationBiblical scenes, human figures, birds, animals

Revival of Sculpture and Painting

Tympanum: half-round panel that fills the space between the lintel and the arch over a doorway of the churchLarge figure at center, with smaller figures on either side.

The Last Judgment was a popular theme

Revival of Sculpture and Painting(cont.)

PaintingsChurch Wall paintings and Manuscript Illumination

Common FeaturesPurpose: create easy-to-understand religious symbols

Reality NOT importantFlat, colorful shapes, bold use of line

Revival of Sculpture and Painting (cont.)