By

Brentd

455 - 1485

Archangel Michael -This panel of art is only one-half of a diptych (which means the other part is lost), a hinged two-leaved tablet. The marks of three holes on the left border indicate the points at which the two panels were connected.  This diptych was a book cover, whose illustration reflects the waning influence of classicism giving way to the simplistic medieval style.

Early Christian Art

Pyxis - The Pyxis

features scenes from the tragic martyrdom of the fourth century Egyptian saint, Menas. The Pyxis was perhaps used to hold incense, or relics.  The Pyxis has lost its cover and base, lock and hinge. 

Early Christian Art

The Condemnation of Christ and the Denial of Saint Peter -

A  continuous account of the events surrounding Christ's condemnation are squeezed into a narrow space: Pilate washes his hands to the left, Christ carries the cross in the center, and Peter, with rooster perched above him, denies Christ, a woman pointing accusingly at him. The art is one of four panels showing religious themes.

Early Christian Art

The Death of Judas

and Crucifixion of Christ - This panel contains one of the earliest known depictions of the crucifixion.  Mary and John stand to the left of the cross, a Roman soldier to the right. On the far left of the panel, Judas hangs himself. This piece of art is also one of the four panels showing religious themes.

Early Christian Art

Top - Apse

mosic.St

Catherine's

Monastery, Sinai.

Bottom - The

Transfiguration,

c. 565/6. Apse

mosic.St

Catherine's

Monastery, Sinai.

Early Christian Art / Byzantine Art

Charlemagne- The way Charlemagne is represented on this tenth /eleventh century statuette was directly inspired by and actually copied from the equestrian statue of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The original statue is still standing in Rome and continuing to serve as a model for equestrian statues of rulers and victorious warriors. 

Romanesque art

Peasant Carrying a Bundle of Hay (left) Mower Sharpening his Scythe (right)

The original peices of

these panels are situated

on the Door of the Virgin

on the west front of the

Cathedral of Notre Dame

in Paris.  The jambs on

the Door are composed

of panels which

represent the signs of

the Zodiac and the

Labors of the Months of

the year.  The left panel

represents June and the

right represents

Romanesque art

455 - 1485

The main theme during this period is the introduction and absorption of classical Mediterranean and Christian forms with Germanic ones creating innovative new forms.

The Pre-Romanesque art would bring rise to the Romanesque art in the 11th century fairly quickly.

*Pre-Romanesque

Church of Saint

Donatus in Zadar, from

the Ninth Century.

(right)

* Saint Frutuoso

Chapel in Braga,

Portugal. (left)

Pre-Romanesque art and architecture

Characterized by semi-circular arches and pointed arches.

Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of simplicity when compared with the Gothic buildings that were to follow.

•South transept of

Tournai Cathedral,

Belgium, 12th

century. (right)

•Facade of

Angouleme

Cathedral, France.

(left)

Romanesque Architecture

Known for having the style of architecture for many of the great Cathedrals.

This is also the architecture of many castles, palaces, town halls, guild halls, and universities.

The gothic style of architecture is most powerfully expressed with its characteristics lending themselves to appeal to the emotions.

The western

façade of Reims

Cathedral,

France. (right)

Interior of San

Zanipolo, Venice,

Italy. (left)

Gothic Architecture