➿European Art and Civilization Before 1400 Unit 1 – European Art & Civilization pre-1400: Intro

Key Historical Context

• European art and civilization before 1400 spans from the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the 14th century
• Encompasses the Early Middle Ages (5th-10th centuries) characterized by the rise of Christianity, the Byzantine Empire, and the Carolingian Renaissance
• Followed by the High Middle Ages (11th-13th centuries) marked by the growth of cities, the Crusades, and the Gothic style
• Feudalism emerged as the dominant social and economic system during this period
  • Hierarchical structure with the king at the top, followed by nobles, knights, and peasants
  • Land was granted by the king to nobles in exchange for military service and loyalty
• The Catholic Church played a central role in medieval society as the primary source of education, healthcare, and social services
• The Crusades (1095-1291) were a series of religious wars launched by the Latin Church to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule
  • Significantly impacted art and architecture through the introduction of new styles and techniques from the East

Major Artistic Periods and Styles

• Early Christian art (4th-6th centuries) focused on religious themes and symbolism, often found in catacombs and early churches
• Byzantine art (6th-15th centuries) developed in the Eastern Roman Empire, characterized by its use of gold, mosaics, and iconic representations of religious figures
  • Influenced by classical Greek and Roman art, as well as Eastern styles
  • Notable examples include the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and the mosaics of Ravenna
• Romanesque art (10th-12th centuries) emerged in Western Europe, featuring thick walls, rounded arches, and robust sculptures
  • Characterized by its use of stylized figures and decorative patterns
  • Exemplified in the architecture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy
• Gothic art (12th-15th centuries) originated in France and spread throughout Europe, distinguished by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and large stained-glass windows
  • Emphasized verticality and light, symbolizing the aspiration towards the divine
  • Iconic examples include the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Chartres Cathedral

Influential Artists and Their Works

• Gislebertus (12th century) was a French sculptor known for his expressive and dynamic figures, as seen in the tympanum of the Cathedral of Saint-Lazare in Autun
• Giotto di Bondone (1266-1337) was an Italian painter and architect credited with initiating the Renaissance style
  • His frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua showcase his innovative use of perspective and emotional depth
• Simone Martini (1284-1344) was an Italian painter and a major figure in the Sienese school
  • His Maestà altarpiece in the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena exemplifies the elegant and refined style of Sienese art
• Jan van Eyck (1390-1441) was a Flemish painter and a pioneer of the Northern Renaissance
  • His Ghent Altarpiece is a masterpiece of early Netherlandish painting, renowned for its intricate details and use of oil paint
• The Limbourg brothers (early 15th century) were Dutch miniature painters known for their work on the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, a lavishly illuminated book of hours

Religious and Cultural Influences

• Christianity was the dominant religion in medieval Europe, shaping art and architecture through its emphasis on religious themes and symbolism
  • Biblical stories and the lives of saints were common subjects in painting, sculpture, and illuminated manuscripts
  • The Church commissioned many of the most significant works of art during this period
• The cult of the Virgin Mary gained prominence in the 12th and 13th centuries, leading to an increase in Marian imagery and devotional art
• The Crusades exposed European artists to Islamic art and culture, resulting in the incorporation of new motifs and techniques (arabesque patterns, pointed arches)
• The rise of courtly love in the 12th century influenced secular art, particularly in the depiction of chivalry and romance
  • Arthurian legends and the troubadour tradition inspired illuminated manuscripts, tapestries, and ivory carvings
• The Black Death (1347-1351) had a profound impact on art and society, leading to a preoccupation with death and the afterlife
  • Macabre themes, such as the Dance of Death and the Triumph of Death, became popular in the late Middle Ages

Technological Advancements in Art

• The development of the pointed arch and ribbed vault in the 12th century allowed for taller, more spacious churches with larger windows
  • Enabled the construction of Gothic cathedrals, which became the pinnacle of medieval architecture
• The invention of oil paint in the early 15th century revolutionized painting techniques
  • Allowed for greater detail, luminosity, and depth compared to traditional tempera paint
  • Exemplified in the works of Jan van Eyck and other Northern Renaissance artists
• The use of perspective in painting and drawing became more sophisticated during the 14th and 15th centuries
  • Linear perspective, developed by Italian artists such as Giotto and Brunelleschi, created the illusion of depth on a flat surface
• The printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, facilitated the mass production and dissemination of books and images
  • Woodblock printing and engraving techniques allowed for the reproduction of artworks and the spread of artistic styles

Symbolism and Iconography

• Medieval art relied heavily on symbolism and iconography to convey religious and moral messages
  • Colors, numbers, and animals often held symbolic meanings (white for purity, three for the Trinity, the lion for Christ)
  • Attributes and poses of figures were used to identify saints and biblical characters
• The halo, or nimbus, was used to signify the holiness and divinity of religious figures
  • Different types of halos (cruciform, triangular, square) were used to distinguish Christ, the Trinity, and saints
• The use of typology, or the interpretation of the Old Testament as prefiguring the New Testament, was common in medieval art
  • The sacrifice of Isaac was seen as a prefiguration of the crucifixion of Christ
• Iconoclasm, or the destruction of religious images, was a recurring issue in medieval art
  • The Byzantine Iconoclasm (726-843) led to the destruction of many icons and the development of a more abstract style in Eastern art

Impact on Later European Art

• The Gothic style continued to influence European architecture well into the 16th century, even as the Renaissance style emerged
  • The Palace of Westminster in London and the Cathedral of Milan are notable examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the 19th century
• The Renaissance artists of the 15th and 16th centuries drew inspiration from the classical art of Greece and Rome, which had been rediscovered during the Middle Ages
  • The sculptures of Nicola Pisano and the frescoes of Masaccio show the influence of classical models on early Renaissance art
• The Northern Renaissance artists of the 15th and 16th centuries built upon the innovations of their medieval predecessors
  • The use of oil paint and the attention to detail in the works of artists like Albrecht Dürer and Hans Holbein the Younger can be traced back to the techniques developed by Jan van Eyck and other medieval masters
• The Romantic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries revived interest in medieval art and culture
  • The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in England sought to emulate the sincerity and craftsmanship of medieval art
  • The Gothic Revival in architecture and the Arts and Crafts movement in decorative arts were inspired by medieval aesthetics and values

Key Takeaways and Significance

• European art and civilization before 1400 laid the foundation for the development of Western art and culture
• The medieval period saw the rise of Christianity as the dominant cultural force, shaping art and architecture through its emphasis on religious themes and symbolism
• The Romanesque and Gothic styles emerged as distinctive artistic movements, characterized by their innovative use of space, light, and decoration
• The Crusades and the growth of trade exposed European artists to new influences from the Islamic world and the East
• Technological advancements, such as the pointed arch, oil paint, and the printing press, transformed the production and dissemination of art
• Medieval art relied heavily on symbolism and iconography to convey religious and moral messages
• The rediscovery of classical art during the Middle Ages paved the way for the Renaissance, while the innovations of medieval artists influenced the Northern Renaissance and later movements
• The study of medieval art and civilization provides insight into the cultural, social, and religious values of the time, as well as the technical and aesthetic achievements of its artists