AP Art History
Early Medieval Art
INTRODUCTION:There were two important events that led to the development of Medieval Europe. One was the Christianization of the Germanic tribes and the second was the unification of Western Europe by Charlemagne.
British and Irish Style
Introduction-The original settlers of the region, the Celts found themselves being ruled by the Romans from c55 BC until the region was finally abandoned by Rome in 406 AD. Subsequently, the area was taken over by the Jutes, Angles, and the Saxons. The resulting Anglo-Saxon was primarily pagan, but gradually the people were Christianized, especially in Ireland.
Manuscript Illumination
- Gospel Book of Durrow, page with lion from Book of Mark, (fig. ), c675 AD
- Chi Rho Iota, Book of Matthew, Book of Kells, late 8th early 9th century AD
Carolingian Period
Introduction-Charlemagne devoted his energies to conquest. Through his efforts much of western Europe was united under the Christian religion. Charlemagne's reign is often referred to as the Carolingian Renaissance.
Architecture-Charlemagne encouraged the revival of classical forms in many of the building projects that he sponsored.
- Abbey Church of Saint Riquier
- Palace Chapel at Aachen
Manuscript Illumination-Charlemagne believed that education was vital to the success of his empire. He continually promoted learning especially among the clergy. During his reign, Charlemagne brought many Early Christian manuscripts from Rome to be copied by the monks at the Abbey Church of Saint Riquier.
- Mark the Evangelist, Book of Mark, from the Godeseaic Evangelistary, 781-83 AD
- St. Matthew the Evangelist, Book of Matthew, Ebbo Gospels, c816-40 AD
The Ottonian Period
Introduction-Charlemagne's empire only survived for thirty years after his death. After the empire;s collapse, a series of invasion further weakened the continent. Finally in the mid-10th century, a new line of saxon kings gained control of the eastern portion of the old empire. The time period is historically referred to as the Ottonian Period, after three of the most important rulers. Otto I, Otto II and Otto III.
Architecture and Sculpture
- Abbey Church of Saint Michael, (fig. ), Hildesheim, Germany, c1001-1031 AD
- Bishop Bernward, The Temptation, from the bronze doors from the Abbey Church of Saint Michael
- Bishop Bernward, The The crucifixion, from the bronze doors from the Abbey Church of Saint Michael
Manuscript Illumination
- The Annunciation of the Shephards, (fig. ), from the Lectionary of Henry II
- Otto III Enthroned, from the Luther Gospels
- Otto III Entroned Receiving Homage of the Four Parts of the World, from the Gospel Books of Otto III
