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AP Unit Sheet #10 – Early Medieval Chapter 11

Works of Art Date Page 800 -1100 CE 11 -3: Purse cove, from the ship burial c. 625 309 11 -4: Animal Head post from Viking Ship Burial c. 825 310 Hiberno -Saxon Art: 600 CE – 800 CE 11 -1: Book of Kells : Chi -rho -iota , Various Gospel Pages c. 800 307 11 -6: Book of Durrow (St. Matthew) c. 660 -680 312 11 -7 & 11 -8: : Cross Carpet Page , St. Matthew folio c. 698 -721 313 Carolingian Artworks c 800 CE: 11 -12: Equestrian Statue of Charlemagne 9th century 317 11 -13: St. Matthew from the Coronation Gospel ca. 800 -810 318 11 -16: Landau Gospel Crucifixion book cover c. 870 320 11 -18: Plataine Chapel 792 -805 321 Ottonian Artworks: c. 1000 CE 11 -22: St. Michael, Hildensheim 1001 -1031 325 11 -24: Bronze doors of St. Michael’s 1015 326 11 -28: Gero Crucifix c. 970 329

Preview: This chapter surveys the art of in the period between 410, the Fall of , and 1024, the conclusion of the Ottonion period. The art of the medieval period is the result of a mix of three primary cultural influences: the classical traditions of Rome’s northern provinces, the practices of non-Roman people in central and , and Christianity. From the 5 th to the middle of the 8 th century—the period of the “warrior lords”—surviving artworks are primarily portable objects such as weapons and items of personal adornment that reflect the decorative traditions of non-Roman groups such as the Huns, Merovingians, , Goths, and Vikings. Between the 7 th and 11 th centuries most of Europe became Christianized, but the decorative abstract patterns and intertwining animal forms established in pre- Christian times continue to appear in art throughout the Early . This is particularly the case with Hiberno- Saxon artists in Ireland and Britain, who produced elaborately decorated Christian illuminated manuscripts in the 7 th and 8th centuries. In the Carolingian period (768-877) in , artists developed unique styles of manuscript illumination and established the twin-tower westwork of church architecture. 10 th century Ottonion artists revived the art of monumental and produced small-scale works exhibiting clear Byzantine influence, while architects introduced the alternate-support system and galleries to the naves of basilicas.

Migratory/ Early Northern Context: Fall of the – Roman Traditions diminish in importance and influence as northern European ethnic groups reassert and conflicts between emerging national groups Impermanence/ Mobility – nomadic traditions of northern European peoples and Viking marauders threaten stability of northern Europe (no significant architecture or large scale sculpture) Craft Traditions – portable art objects have value and “currency” especially jewelry and gold, leather goods, wood carving Rise of Monasticism and the Benedictine Order – founded in 529, with the emphasis on work – manual labor, and religious study. Irish monks (missionaries to the “barbarian” north) known for copying of the gospels and Bible by hand in scriptoria in monasteries on islands of Lindisfarne and Iona Viking Art - 800 – 1100 CE Viking sailors controlled the coast line areas of northern Europe and the after becoming Christians, eventually became “Normans” Christianity and pagan beliefs developed side-by-side Craft guilds – medieval organizations of lay artists began to develop Vocabulary: animal style, serpentine, zoomorphic cloisonné, filigree, zoomorphic 1

AP Art History Unit Sheet #10 – Early Medieval Chapter 11

Hiberno-Saxon Art: 600 CE – 800 CE “Golden Age” of . Ireland never part of Roman Empire – readily accepted isolation and Christianity dominated by monasteries which were learned and artistic communities, with scriptoria Irish Monks became missionaries throughout the European continent. Vocabulary: manuscript, illumination, carpet page, folio, Interlacing, vellum, scriptoria Carolingian Context: 1. Charlemagne and the -768: begins rule and unites Holy Roman Empire Pope Leo III Charlemagne (King of the Franks) First Holy Roman Emperor in Old St. Peter’s in Rome on Christmas Day 800 CE revival of ideals of Roman Empire and Early Christian Rome Charlemagne stops at on his way back from Rome in 800. 2. Monasticism - Benedictine Order (begun in 6 th century by St. Benedict) -scriptoria – copying of text, especially the Bible 3. and the rise of monarchies 4. Appropriation - Charlemagne a revival of classical forms in architecture and painting

Vocabulary: “classical revival”, appropriation, reprousse, scriptorium

Ottonian Context: Charlemagne’s empire breaks up soon after he dies, 100 years of discord follows Saxon line eventually gaining control for three generations – called the Ottonians Bernward patron of the art

Migratory (northern Europe) Byzantine (eastern Mediterranean)

Ornamental Art > Decorative Iconic Art > Symbolic • Interlacing pattern and complex design • Icon = image symbolic of an idea • Visual experience of the work of art • Conceptual experience of the work of art • Complex pattern composed of a single • Simplification of an image into an easily line which overlaps and intertwines recognizable • Organic and animals forms simplified • Move towards , but not exactly and abstracted into geometric patterns representation of visual reality • Decorative elements can dominated • Clarity of purpose – unambiguous image decorative • Geometric organization with extreme elements secondary to central image or icon complexity in design and elements • Simplification and stylization • Miniaturist sensibility – extremely fine work

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