The Early Middle Ages

7th to the 10th Century

Roman Empire DeclineGerman Invasions Affecting Artistic

Development and Other

Radical Changes in Social &Political Organizations

In addition to the German invasions were those from Islam.

Islamic Art

Idolatry forbidden Consisted mainly of abstracts, floral patterns,

or other geometric objects Sculpture almost nonexistent Abundance of monumental architecture &

architectural decorations

Islamic Art Expressions

Mosque: A place to pray and face

towards Mecca Sahn: enclosed

courtyard that all mosques have.

Qibla: prayer wall Mihrab: small nitche to

indicate the direction of Mecca.

Exterior: Tall minarets Large and elaborate

Hagia Sophia changed into a mosque

Islam

Islam means “submission to God’s will” Founded by the prophet Muhammed Message is “brotherhood of Man” & equality before

God (Allah) Differs from Christianity

No priesthood, no religious hierarchy, sacraments or requirements of literagy

Does include rulers and leaders in prayer

Islamic Instruction

Faithfully conduct their daily lives Circumcise male infants Pray to Allah five times a day facing Mecca. Worship in the mosque on Fridays Give to the poor, Fast and practice

abstinence in the daylight during Ramaden Allowed multiple wives

The Great Mosque, Cordoba

Mosque built in capital city Striking example of Islamic art Double arches first used here

were duplicated in additions. (11.1,11.2, 11.3 & 11.4)

Christians later turned this into a cathedral but it still conveys the original orientation of Islam.

Northern European Art

Influenced by the Germanic tribes New focus on artistic and political activities No monumental structure, paintings or

sculpture was done to the constant invasions Invaders stimulated a new craft. . .

Metalwork designs and techniques

Anglo-Saxon Metalwork

Purse cover from the 17th century.

Found among a pagan ship wreckage treasures suggesting royalty

Is of gold decoration; cloisonne enamel originally on ivory or bone & dark red garnets.

Early Christian intelace designs and Near Eastern motifs

SuttonHoo purse cover from East Anglia, England, 630 AD

Merging animal forms suggest invasion

Beowulf

Earliest surviving European epic

German folklore with strong Christian morality.

A strange king child found adrift Denmark “Scyld Scefing”

Famed was this Beowulf: far flew the boast of him,

son of Scyld, in the Scandian lands.So becomes it a youth

to quit him wellwith his father's friends,

by fee and gift,that to aid him, aged, in after days,

come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,

liegemen loyal: by lauded deedsshall an earl have honor

in every clan.

Hiberno-Saxon Art

Ireland escaped invasions at this time St. Patrick spread Christianity throughout

Ireland and for years later it became a haven for scholars, missionaries, monasteries, . .

Christian art also prevailed across Ireland. Style has been called Insular and Hiberno-Saxon

(Hiberno is Latin for “Ireland”)

Manuscript Illumination

Illuminated manuscripts produced by monks in monasteries.

Illustrated the Word of God; Visual pleasures

Used a strict unity of color and form.

Crisp, clear sometines contrasting colors; flat surfaces; patterning

Lion Symbol of St. John, from the Book of Durrow, After AD650. Represents St. John, Evangelist as a lion . . . .later an eagle.

Carolingian Period

Book of Kells Corresponds with the crowning of

Charles the Great-Roman empr. Charlemagne ruled over the

Holy Roman Empire and surrounding territories and revived culture.

Network of learning was created Latin manuscript texts. . .7LibArts

11.7 Tunc Crucifixerant XPI, from the Book of Kells (Matthew 27:38) Then they crucified Christ & with him two thieves

Manuscripts

Charlemagne’s rule involved the Roman revival of culture with manuscripts

Manuscripts worked towards development of a practical form of portable artistic and educational communication

They continued after Charlemagne’s death but more apocalyptic approach Flatter space, figures connected by geometric design

rather than landscapes.

Revelation & the Four Symbols of Evangelsits

Revelation-last book of the New Testament

Written by St. John John’s account of Christ’s word

in his appearance to him. Visionary work with scripture,

literary tradition and symbols: lion, bull, man, eagle.

Lion: St. Mark; Bull: St. Luke; Man: St. Matthew, Eagle: St. John.

11.8 Four Evangelists, from a Carolingian Gospel Book

Monasteries

Each monastery: School Network for artists and

scholars to communicate.

Religious and Administrative Center for economic functions

Communal living quarters for Monks

Plans for monstery of St.Gall, Switzerland; plan placed church in the center; building around in order of importance of education

Ottonian Period

Charlemagne’s grandsons were ineffective rulers of the European reign & fell to invaders.

After the Vikings takeover, the Saxons crowned Otto I as Otto the Great, emperor.

Ottonian refers to rulers named Otto who worked to continue Charlemagne’s revival of Classical antiquity.

Major Works of the Ottonian Period

Architectural work: Benedictine abbey

church of St. Michael’s

Metalwork at Hildesheim