The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages is the period of time in Europe between the end of antiquity in the fifth century and the Renaissance, or rebirth of classical learning, in the fifteenth century and sixteenth centuries.

Characterizing the Middle Ages as a period of darkness falling between two greater, more intellectually significant periods in history is misleading. The Middle Ages was not a time of ignorance and backwardness, but rather a period during which Christianity flourished in Europe. Christianity, and specifically Catholicism, brought with it new views of life and the world that rejected the traditions and learning of the ancient world.

During this time, the Roman Empire slowly fragmented into many smaller political entities. The geographical boundaries for European countries today were established during the Middle Ages. This was a period that heralded the formation and rise of universities, the establishment of the rule of law, numerous periods of ecclesiastical reform and the birth of the tourism industry. Many works of medieval literature, such as the Canterbury Tales, the Divine Comedy, and The Song of Roland, are widely read and studied today.

The visual arts prospered during Middles Ages, which created its own aesthetic values. The wealthiest and most influential members of society commissioned cathedrals, churches, sculpture, painting, textiles, manuscripts, jewelry and ritual items from artists. Many of these commissions were religious in nature but medieval artists also produced secular art. Few names of artists survive and fewer documents record their business dealings, but they left behind an impressive legacy of art and culture.

Chapter 8 Early Christian (Late Antiquity)

Chapter 8 Quiz Please take out half a sheet of paper. Title Chapter 8 Quiz Clear your desks

1. The lunettes (semicircular frames) at the Catacomb of Saint Peter and Marcellinus contain the key episodes from what? A. Greek mythology B. Roman battles C. The ruler- Constantine’s life D. Biblical story of Jonah

2. A catacomb (as in the Catacomb of Saint Peter and Marcellinus) is? A. a Christian community house. B. a vast underground networks of galleries (passageways) and chambers designed as cemeteries. C. a Christian synagogue. D. a place of worship

3.This image is located in which manuscript? A. Vatican Vergil B. Vienna Genesis C. Rossano Gospels D. Hagios Georgios

4. Santa Sabina was illuminated by what? A. the candles that were lined up row by row along the walls B. the invention of the light bulb C. basilican windows D. clerestory windows

Free Response Question Write 1 or 2 sentences 5. This image portrays what? You must give actually names of people.

STYLISTIC CHARACTERISTICS Combination of Classical naturalism & late antique abstraction from late Roman art Biblical scenes & funerary orant & philosopher Basilica-like churches: plain exterior, east/west orientation, cruciform, apse, clerestory windows, timber roof, central plan Rich interior: Mosaics shallow picture plane halo thin frontal figures Image of Christ changing from beardless youth to bearded mature adult. Illuminated manuscript: text & image, silver lettering, continuous narration

Key Events Two important moments played a critical role in the development of early Christianity: 1. The decision of the Apostle Paul to spread Christianity beyond the Jewish communities of Palestine into the Greco- Roman world. 2. When the Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity and became its patron at the beginning of the fourth century The creation and nature of Christian art were directly impacted by these moments.

Christians, like Jews, used catacombs for burials and funeral ceremonies, not as places of worship.

The Good Shepherd, the story of Jonah, and orants, Flashcard Catacombs Polygonal frame loculi lunettes Orants

Here, the ceiling of a cubiculum is partitioned by a central medallion, or round compartment, and four lunettes, semicircular framed by arches.

At the center is a Good Shepherd, whose pose has roots in Classical sculpture. The semicircular compartments surrounding the Good Shepherd tell the story of Jonah and the sea monster from the Hebrew Bible, in which God caused Jonah to be thrown overboard, swallowed by the monster, and released 3 days later.

Christians reinterpreted this story as a parable of Christ’s death and resurrection- and hence of the everlasting life awaiting true believers.

On the left, Jonah is thrown from the boat; on the right, the monster spits him up; and at the center Jonah reclines in the shade of a vine, a symbol of paradise. Orant figures stand between the lunettes, presumably images of the faithful Christian who were buried here.

Santa Sabina, Rome en.wikipedia.org Gardner’s Art Through the Ages Compare interior to section of Old St. Peter’s

medieval-world/early-christian1/v/basilica- of-santa-sabina-rome-c-432https:// medieval-world/early-christian1/v/basilica- of-santa-sabina-rome-c min. Class Quiz

Manuscripts medieval-world/medieval- europe/v/making-manuscriptshttps:// medieval-world/medieval- europe/v/making-manuscripts medieval-world/medieval- europe/v/manuscriptshttps:// medieval-world/medieval- europe/v/manuscripts medieval-world/medieval- europe/v/structure-medieval-manuscripthttps:// medieval-world/medieval- europe/v/structure-medieval-manuscript

Vienna Genesis Rebecca and Eliezer at the well Flashcard Illuminated manuscripts Continuous narrative Deluge rubens.anu.edu.au/.../survey/00068.html Gardner’s Art Through the Ages Blessing of Ephraim & Manasseh Joseph in prison

medieval-world/early-christian1/v/vienna- genesishttps:// medieval-world/early-christian1/v/vienna- genesis 6 min.

Women at the tomb of Christ and the Ascension of Christ

Rome, 400 CE Ivory 18.7 x 11.5 cm Acquired in 1860 from the Martin von Reider, Bamberg collection

The Roman ivory relief is an early monument of the 4th century emerging Christian art. The meeting of the tomb on Easter morning Christ hurrying women with the angel should remain the usual Easter image of Western art in the 12th century. The tree, whose fruits are birds feed, denotes the grave of the Lord as life- giving place.