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Castles, Cathedrals and Manuscripts
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Early Medieval ArtCastles, Cathedrals and Manuscripts
Background - Where did we leave off?
after the center of Roman power is moved to Byzantium, by the 5th Century, the Eastern portion of the empire is successful, now known as the Byzantine Empire—and continues on for almost a 1000 years
meanwhile, the Western Roman empire weakens and falls victim to Barbarian invaders and is virtually powerless by the end of the 5th century
often called the “Dark Ages”, this period in Western Europe saw the rise of common law, universities, present-day languages and national states
during these trying times the Church ruled as it was the only stable institution remaining
everyone lived their lives in service to the Church as preparation for eternity
The so-called Dark Ages?
Charlemagne was crowned Emperor on Christmas day in the year 800 and became the first Holy Roman Emperor
his domain grew to include all of the former Roman territory except Britain, Spain, Southern Italy and Africa
Charlemagneout of the chaos arises the Carolingian dynasty, stable for 150 years
one of its greatest leaders was Charles the Great (aka Charlemagne), King of the Franks
he ordered every monastery and abbey to establish a school where students could learn arithmetic, grammar and psalms
preserved ancient manuscripts
hired scholars from England and Ireland to rewrite old texts and make new ones
center of empire was Aix-la-Chapelle (present day Aachen)
Palace chapel of Charlemagne
Aachen, Germany.
792-805 CE
strong government ended after his death in 814
again western Europe is in shambles
weak central government and the need for protection leads to the formation of Feudalism (land is the source of wealth and power)
Post-Charlemagne
in this system, weak noblemen give up their land for powerful lords in return for protection and remain on the land as administrators
• the serfs, or poor peasants, remained to work the land (for payment of protection) and were allowed to keep only enough food to feed themselves
• groups of monks lived and studied behind the protected walls of monasteries
• many early monasteries were built of wood and did not survive
Village Church, Ujue, Spain
11th Century
Monastery of San Juan de la Pena, Spain c. 922
Codex format (like the books we know today) invented as early as the 3rd Century BCE
papyrus scrolls still common up to 1st Century
until the development of the printing press in the 15th Century, Western books (Codices) were made by hand
The Codex
most people were illiterate
this was the work of monks who took pride in this work
symbols used to identify the four Evangelists (Matthew-angel, Mark – lion, Luke – bull, John – eagle)
focus was on inner expressive qualities, feelings and ideas rather than formal and literal renderings
often decorated with miniature paintings done with silver, gold and rich colours
portrayed information in beautiful and complex ways
books written in Latin using beautifully designed letters
Franco-Saxon Gospels, c. 850
St. John
Flat Space with few to no shadows
Complex, precise celtic knotwork used as a
border
Dramatic lines in robes
St. John - Detail*Note the Bright Colours...
Carolingian Manuscript
from the Gospel Book of Archbishop Ebbo of Reims
c. 830
St. Matthew
Even more Dramatic Drapery Lines!
Awkward Perspective and Some
background, but not realistic
c. 870, gold and semiprecious stones
Lindau Gospels - Back
Cover
Extremely Expensive - not for the general
public!
Incredibly Ornate Knotwork
The AnnunciationLeaf from a
Breviary or MissalGerman
12th CenturyColours and gold
leaf on vellum
*few shadows, reduced depth, symbolism
by 11th Century, Romanesque style accepted throughout most of Western Europe
Feudal system reaches its peak during this period
constant disputes and open conflict as lords, noblemen and kings were constantly fighting each other to protect or add more land
Romanesque Art
fortification of dwellings begins
by 12th Century the stone castle emerges as the symbol of authority
Castle of Penafiel, Spain c. 14th Century
Romanesque Architecture
thick outer walls eliminated windows
drafty rooms sparsely furnished and lacked decoration
stairs were steep and passageways dark and narrow making movement difficult
occasionally tapestries were hung to keep dampness out
the great hall was where meals were served
only warmth came from fireplaces
growth of trade and industry in the 13th Century brought about an economy based on money rather than land
cities sprang up, and castles became more and more obsolete
City WallsCity WallsRiver Adaja, SpainRiver Adaja, Spain
11th Century11th Century
2.4 km long2.4 km long8 towers8 towers9 gates9 gates
Shift to Fortified Cities
unsettling times still necessitated the use of protective walls
as towns expanded in population, these walls forced buildings to become higher (as high as several stories)buildings also were built out over the foundations below
at the center of every town stood a church
entire community joined in when a new church was needed
Church of Santa Maria, Spain12th to 13th centuries
Church of Santiago de Compostela,
Spain11th to 13th centuries
• worshippers would embark on a difficult journey to
pilgrimage churches which were built larger and larger
• people believed that praying for a saint would assure plentiful harvests,
cures for diseases, and the promise of eternal salvation• soon churches and shelters were built along these routes
Radiating Chapels
larger number of clergy involved led to construction of more altars
these chapels projected out from the buildings near the apse and were a common element of Romanesque structures
Santillana del Mar Collegiate Church, Apse exterior
• the need for stone roofs led to rebirth of this Roman building technique: barrel vaults• the thick walls and lack of windows led to the term “fortresses of God”
The Barrel Vault
Romanesque Church
San Sernin, Toulouse, France
c. 1080-1120
• inside is spacious but dark and gloomy• no surprises; nave, side aisles, transept and apse are quickly
identified• not fancy or ornate• feels like a stone
castlePlan of
Romanesque Church
• relief sculptures were commonly found on the tympanum (half round panel over the doorway of the church) and the capitals of the columns inside
West portal and tympanum, Leyre Monastery, Spain, 12th Century
Romanesque brought about a revival of the sculptor’s craft• churches used relief sculptures as a way to teach the illiterate
• position of tympanum was ideal for worshippers gaze• shape of tympanum demanded larger figures
towards the center and smaller ones to the sides• popular subjects like the last judgment were well-
suited
Last Judgment, Church of Santa Maria, Spain
Can you figure out which side is heaven and hell?
Santa Maria façade,Spain
12th to 13th centuries
*multiple stories flank the facade
Santa Maria façade detail
Capital carvings from the cloister
Cathedral at PamplonaSpain
12th to 13th Centuries
*compact relief designs and vivid
narratives
Cathedral at Pamplona
Christ in MajestyWall painting from San
ClementeTahull, Spain, 12th Century
large paintings were also used to decorate churches during this period
paintings often designed to fit architectural elements
broad bands of colour for background