Roman catacomb, 300s CEwall painting over a sarcophagus

Giotto, Enthroned Madonna, 1310

Medieval Art300-1400 CE

From Grottos to Giottos

0-300 CE We begin with the sense of the internal ---secrecy, symbols 500-800-- Dark Ages

By the 5th century, the Roman Empire is

shaken with attacks, Rome falls in 476 CE.The security of the

empire is shattered---enter the “Dark Ages” between the rule of two great emperors, Justinian (500s) and Charlemagne (800s)

Darkness500 CE-----------------800 CE

early Christian church Rome, 350 CE

Roman catacombs, 250 CE

313 CE Emperor Constantine’s decree legalizes Christianity, beginning a long march of political and social power in the name of the Catholic church

Meanwhile, during these shaky times of the “Dark Ages,” Irish monasteries act as keepers of books

IrelandEstablished early Christian monasteries independent from the uncertainties of Romanesque Roman Empire

ILLUMINATIONS – manuscript illustrationsBook of Kells, Ireland, 700-800sTempera on vellumGeometric intricacy and abstraction

What would it take for our contemporary world to turn into chaos?

“That nature is chaotic and that the artist puts order into is is absurd…” Willem de Kooning

“Out of chaos, we make a world, a consequence of art…”Hans Hofmann

Two views of abstract artists who emigrated to New York City after World War II

What values would we protect?Who would “keep the books”?

Warhol, Liberty, silkscreen,1986

(Is it war or is it freedom?)

Charlemagne742-814 CE

(Charles the Great)

• 800 CE, Christmas Day--crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the pope

• Frankish king (Germany)• Seat of power shifts from Mediterranean to the

North---England, France, Germany• Power for Charlemagne but also power for the

pope• Aachen (Germany) becomes cultural center• Restored Latin as primary literary language• Improved education for boys and girls• Restoration of Greco-Roman learning and authority

Although Charlemagne encouraged education for all, he himself was illiterate, signing his name with an X

The term “Romanesque” describes the time period between 800-1100 CE,

when buildings around Europe were constructed in the manner of the

Romans---rounded arches, thick walls, little exterior decoration

Romanesque Illuminations transmit the sense of God without the knowledge of God

Miniator-small scenes

Rubricator—letters and numbers

St. John, the Gospel Book of Abbot Wedricus, 1147

Letter Q, from Evangeliary of Abbey at St. Omer, c. 1000

“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart…Prefer nothing to the love of Christ”

St. Benedict, 6th century

Hildegard von Bingenabbess, poet, visionary--1098-1179wrote songs and created illuminations in praise of God. Her mysticism might have been thought of as heresy if she had lived a little later in the Mid Ages. Migraines or visions?

Receivingher vision

9th-12th centuries: Sensing is IN Knowledge is OUTWhich way are you guided?? Do you like to “know” or “sense”?

Hildegard, Universal Man , 1165In her “Play of the Virtues,” an oratorio for women, the only male part is that of the devil, who cannot sing

Do you think that Leonardo saw this when designing the Vitruvian Man?

Life After Charlemagne• 870--remains of his empire are

ruled by grandsons, Charles the Bald (France) and Louis the German (Germany)

• Weak rule, came under attack• Although empires are collapsing,

Church of Rome remains strong• Increased authority of the pope• Calls itself “Catholic” which means

universal• Much of the art is made in service

to the Church • Normans (from Norway, Vikings)

took control of England, Ireland, Italy

• 962--Otto I, a Saxon king, is crowned emperor, Ottonian Empire

• Holy Roman Empire under German rule

The Catholic church inserts its power----

Crusades begin in 1095 CE,an effort to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims ---lookout if you are the second son….All non-Christians, including Jews, are targets

Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1073-1088• Describes the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror, coming from the coast of

France to England, in 1066 CE• Is actually an embroidery, 2 ft. x 230 ft.• The Normans have shaved heads while the Brits have moustaches• The sad fate of King Harold is a mystery….was it an arrow in the eye? hacking off his legs?

Or a spear in his chest?• Gives historians a true glimpse of costume and armor of the medieval age…now housed in

Bayeux, France

Well, it’s really an embroidery……

Norman William the Conquerorversus British King Harold

Harold’s unfortunate demise…shown in triplicateeye, legs, chest

24 dogs and 194 horses553 birds and mythical creatures

The Bayeux Tapestry is featured in computer game Diablo II as well as the movie, Shrek the Third

Narrative Art ---what’s the meaning of battle and valor?