What Achievements Were Established in Art Literature in the Late 1800s

The Medieval Art menstruum covers an immense range of time and place, as it incorporates over 1000 years of art history inside Europe. Having said to brainstorm with the autumn of the Roman Empire and coming to a close by the early 14^th century, Medieval Art was an incredibly influential menses of Western art culture at the fourth dimension. Due to its sheer span of time, many innovations and unique artifacts were made during the Medieval Art move, with this artistic influence reaching Western asia and Northern Africa equally well.

Table of Contents

1 What Is Medieval Art?
two A History of Medieval Fine art
3 Early on Medieval Art
4 Master Divisions of Middle Ages Art
- 4.1 Early Christian Period
- four.ii Byzantine Flow
- 4.3 Romanesque Period
- iv.4 Gothic Flow
v Medieval Architecture
half-dozen Characteristics of Medieval Fine art
- 6.1 Medieval Paintings
- 6.2 Medieval Sculptures
- vi.iii Illuminated Manuscripts
- 6.4 Stained Glass
7 Famous Medieval Artworks
- 7.1 Hagia Sophia (built in 537 A.D.)
- 7.2 The Lindisfarne Gospels (written between 715 – 720 A.D.)
- 7.3 Palatine Chapel (built between 790 – 805 A.D.)
- 7.four Notre Dame de Paris (congenital between 1163 – 1345 A.D.)
viii Literature from Middle Ages Art

What Is Medieval Art?

Originating in Northern Europe after the Roman Empire collapsed, Medieval Art included some of the nearly major art movements and periods known to develop within art history. Influenced by the artistic heritage of the previous Roman era and the iconographic community of the early Christian Church building, the Medieval menstruum existed every bit an amalgamation of these artistic heritages.

Due to this fusion of styles, Medieval Art essentially went on to produce some incredibly iconic artworks due to the singled-out creative style that developed.

Due to the vastness of the Medieval Art period, the movement can generally be divided into a number of distinct periods and styles. These art phases have come to be seen as Early Christian Art, Byzantine art, Pre-Romanesque and Romanesque art, and Gothic art. In addition to these various styles, each region within Europe exhibited an artistic style in a very distinct way, meaning that some Medieval Art pieces varied profoundly from region to region despite being created within the same fourth dimension menses.

Painted wooden ceiling of the Oude Kerk (church) in Amsterdam; Hans A. Rosbach/CC-BY-SA three.0, CC Past-SA iii.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Medieval Art was fabricated upwardly of various artistic mediums, such as sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, tapestries, mosaics, and metalworks. Numerous artworks were made using these dissimilar styles, which went on to have a higher survival rate than other mediums like fresco wall paintings. Notwithstanding, in the early Medieval art period, works that were more decorative and made use of things similar precious metals, ivory carvings, enamel, and embroidery were thought to be more than valuable than traditional paintings and sculptures.

Artworks created in the Medieval era became renowned for their use of valuable and precious materials, which went on to go a constant feature of the period. The Medieval Fine art era eventually came to an end with the emergence of the Renaissance period of fine art, which saw a recovery of the skills and values associated with classical fine art that had been scorned for some centuries.

Due to the achievements of the Medieval catamenia, information technology has come to be regarded as an enormous developmental phase for hereafter Western art forms that subsequently emerged.

A History of Medieval Art

Medieval Art within Northern Europe grew out of the artful heritage left by the Roman Empire. After its dissolution in 476 A.D., the period leading up to the emergence of Medieval Art was seen as an incredibly formative time in the continent's artistic history. Lasting until the early stages of the Renaissance in the fourteen^th century, Medieval Fine art encompassed many diverse forms of media. Thus, the history of Medieval Art is said to exist very expansive every bit the movement lasted for numerous centuries and covered a wide range of genres.

Prominent in European regions, as well equally the Center East and North Africa, the Medieval Art menses produced some artworks which are considered to be the world's virtually valuable pieces today. These artworks were predominantly featured in churches, cathedrals, and other sacred doctrines and places of worship. Artworks using gilded, such as gold foliage in religious manuscripts, was popular during the Medieval era, equally the movement was profoundly influenced by the early stages of Christian fine art and the "barbarian" culture of Northern Europe.

Book comprehend of the Coronation Evangeliar, part of the Regal Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE), by Hans von Reutlingen, c. 1500;Hans von Reutlingen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The development of Medieval Art produced a various range of artistic styles and periods, as the dissimilar artworks created were based on their location within Europe. Due to the multifariousness of styles emerging, the Eye Ages art menstruation can generally be divided up into 3 distinct phases. These are the Byzantine Fine art era, the Romanesque Fine art era, and the Gothic Fine art era.

The majority of the art produced during the Medieval period was religious in nature and made use of Catholic subjects and themes.

Also referred to as the Middle Ages, the Medieval period was dominated by feudalism within society. Feudalism existed as the dominant social structure in Medieval lodge at the time, where nobles effectively held command over and ruled all of the lands. Order was made up of the richest members and peasants, who were forced to answer to the nobles controlling their land.

The daily lives between these two social groups were thus vastly different, as the upper-form experienced wealth, ability, and status, while the lower class were expected to serve others. Due to this, a distinction existed between the two, which was only bridged by the presence of religion. This was why many individuals of the early Middle Ages were priests and monks in addition to being artists, equally religion played a major part in daily life within the Medieval period.

The Apocalypse Tapestry is the oldest surviving ready of tapestries of this size, 100m (328ft). It was deputed in 1375 past Louis I, Knuckles of Anjou and blood brother of Male monarch Charles V. The tapestry took seven years to make and is made entirely of wool. Each piece starts with a major effigy followed by two rows of seven scenes between a strip of heaven and strip of earth;Dennis Jarvis from Halifax, Canada, CC Past-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The early Medieval art pieces that were created were used as the main method of communicating accounts of a Biblical nature to society, as a rise in illiteracy during this time flow was experienced. This resulted in the necessity for art to express complicated narratives and symbolism in a way that was accessible to all of society. Every bit a result of this, Medieval Art pieces became more than stylized, as the genre lost the classical naturalism associated with the Graeco-Roman times for about of the movement.

Due to this lack of literacy, printed materials became increasingly available to monks and nuns who began to re-create illuminated manuscripts so as to communicate with the masses, with these manuscripts becoming art forms themselves. Narratives of a Biblical nature were predominantly favored, as focus shifted from producing naturalistic images to being able to express circuitous stories. This also influenced the way of the movement as a whole, which began to lean towards the inclusion of abstracted figures within much of early Medieval Fine art.

Therefore, art produced within the Medieval flow consisted mainly of architectural designs of churches, castles, and monasteries, in improver to paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts.

Medieval artists worked alongside accomplished craftsmen such as carpenters, woodcarvers, masons, metal workers, sculptors, and painters when applying ornamental features to their artworks. These works influenced artisans of bottom-known arts, like blacksmiths, locksmiths, shoemakers, and weavers, who imitated the Medieval style in the objects they manufactured.

Reliquary Plaque of an Evangelist.This bas-relief engraved plaque depicts an evangelist seated within an arcade. It was role of the 13th-century redecoration of the 11th-century "Saint Amandus Shrine";Walters Fine art Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

What made the Medieval Art period and then important was that it was not purely aesthetic, but it too existed as a symbol that declared one's status, identity, educational activity, and culture. Thus, the major societal, cultural, and artistic changes that occurred in Europe equally the Medieval period developed went on to further define the artworks produced during that fourth dimension. While the motility neither began nor ended at a precise date, the end of Medieval Art was idea to be signaled past the changes in art that accompanied the start of the Renaissance catamenia.

Equally the flow generated a big quantity of art that was seen to be historically significant, the Medieval era continues to exist a meaning expanse of study for fine art critics, students, and collectors. The accomplishments of artists during the movement have gone on to greatly influence the evolution of modern genres of Western fine art that have since emerged.

Thus, it tin can be said that the Medieval Fine art menses exists as one of the most significant art movements in history.

Early Medieval Fine art

The catamenia of time that has been classified every bit early Medieval Art is quite complicated, equally it includes artworks that range from the 5^th century CE all the mode through to 1000 CE. In add-on to this, early Medieval artworks demonstrate a diverse cultural influence, which combined archetype Greek and Roman artistic components with Christian subject area matter and decorative designs taken from the pagan North.

At the time of the emergence of early Medieval Art, the Catholic church and other wealthy patrons began to commission projects for particular social and religious ceremonies. Medieval artists were required to create artworks that featured Biblical tales and classical themes for churches, while the insides were intricately adorned with Roman mosaics, elaborate paintings, and marble incrustations. Due to the religious influence, many of the oldest examples of early Medieval Art remain in Roman catacombs or burials beneath cities.

Fresco of a Christian Agape feast showing the fractio panis , the breaking of the bread during the repast of Holy Communion. Greek chapel, Catacombe di Priscilla, Rome. second – 4th century;Unknown author Unknown writer. Lensman: André Held, akg-images., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Many artistic styles that existed before the emergence of early on Medieval Art continued to be referred back to for inspiration. A popular art grade that was used as the Medieval menstruum progressed was the creation of relief sculptures. These sculptures were influential, every bit they stood out from their backgrounds to create a three-dimensional result. Medieval artists used ivory as their primary medium and sculpted complex designs on book covers, caskets, panels, doors, and devotional items.

Some other artistic class that artists continued to conserve were frescoes and mosaics, which were used to decorate churches and palaces. Both of these mediums were intricately designed and were used to portray Christian saints and scenes, such as the Blessed Virgin Mary and the ascension of Jesus. A vast lack of realism accompanied these creations, with fresco paintings actualization to exist specially flat in fashion with incredibly somber subjects.

Duomo di Siena (Siena Cathedral), a medieval church in Siena, Italy, defended from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church building, and now dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta (Holy Mary, Our Lady of the Supposition);Chenspec, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Churches and palaces that were busy using both relief sculptures, frescoes, and mosaics became a mutual sight in the early Medieval Art globe. While the design of these buildings remained predominantly Roman, the artistic style had a definitive Christian influence.

However, while early Medieval Fine art preserved some forms and techniques from the past, such as stylistic elements taken from the Classical globe, the motility also began to develop new forms and styles that went on to permanently change the art world.

Principal Divisions of Center Ages Fine art

The Medieval Art menstruum lasted for ten centuries and covered an enormous scope of fourth dimension and place, which meant that many different styles and forms of fine art were experimented with and included. As religion and faith were seen as the manner of life during the Centre Ages, artworks that were created expressed various social, political, and historical events through the edifice of churches in well-nigh European towns.

Generally, Medieval Art is divided up according to the singled-out types of artworks that were created, which were expressed differently in different regions and at different times. These split art periods have collectively been agreed on to be the Early Christian menstruation, the Byzantine period, the Romanesque period, and the Gothic menses.

Early Christian Period

As early Medieval Fine art began to develop, faith and Christianity proved to be major influences of the movement. The majority of the artworks contained holy and spiritual references, as the bailiwick matter tended to portray Biblical scenes. To some extent, countries bordering the Eastern Mediterranean region helped the Early Christian period of fine art in its development. Yet, the chief area where this menstruation of art emerged was fundamental Italy.

Particular of the Aureate Madonna of Essen, 990 A.D.; Martin Engelbrecht, CC BY-SA iii.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Early Christian art forms adult after the Roman Empire officially adopted Christianity as their ruling faith. Around the four^th century, Christian art grew in popularity as pictures of Christ became more mutual. Concerns existed around creating images of the Deity began to abound, with more than Medieval artists beginning to create scenes that depicted Jesus and other religious figures.

Sadly, equally the Early Christian art menstruum appeared at the kickoff of the Medieval Fine art era, very few sacred artworks and designs accept managed to survive the first three centuries of Christian art. Nearly of the Early Christian artworks that exist today, such as iconic paintings, come from catacombs. Despite this, some examples of Early Christian compages remain, equally numerous churches were constructed during this period of art.

Byzantine Period

Developing in Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire at the time, was the Byzantine menstruation of art. The start of the Medieval era was considered to be the Night Ages, with Byzantine art existing as the primary blazon of fine art used past artists from the Eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantine art catamenia is often considered to make upwardly the best artworks that were created during the Heart Ages due to the impeccable craftsmanship and quality of materials used.

Cambrai Madonna (c. 1340);Cambrai Cathedral, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Byzantine art, which was made upward of a combination of Roman and Oriental arts, was characterized past its complete lack of realism. Artists did not try to brand their paintings seem realistic, equally they instead concentrated on the symbolism that was nowadays in their artworks. Thus, the paintings produced were incredibly apartment with no shadows, with subjects that appeared to be very serious and grim.

The majority of the subjects inside Byzantine fine art were religious, with many Medieval paintings beingness depicted of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Compages during the Byzantine period was typically grandiose and dazzling, as buildings demonstrated the wealth and intellectual prowess of their designers, artists, and builders. This is why churches built during the Byzantine period were magnificent, as they represented the dominating religion of Christianity in addition to these qualities. Unfortunately, nearly of the artwork created during this period has since been destroyed, along with the exquisite mosaics and fresco paintings that adorned the churches.

Romanesque Period

Kickoff with a phase that was known as pre-Romanesque art, the Romanesque period developed effectually chiliad A.D. and was influenced by both the Romans and Byzantine fine art. The Romanesque period placed its focus on organized religion and Christianity, with these influences being seen in the artworks that were created. Typical Romanesque art pieces included stained glass pieces, engravings on buildings and columns, large murals on walls and domed ceilings, illuminated manuscripts, and sculptures.

Bayeux Tapestry (1070s), scene 32 – men staring at Halley's Comet;Myrabella, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Romanesque buildings were enormous, powerful, and foreboding in appearance, but were characterized by their simple surface adornments that showcased the simplistic way of life of the artists. Structural forms during this period were based on artists' bones interpretations of Roman compages, as the elements and characteristics present in this art period were taken specifically from aboriginal Rome. This stylistic influence was why the era was dubbed the "Romanesque" catamenia.

The styles utilized by the Romanesque period were developed in French republic before they spread to other Western regions such as Kingdom of spain, Germany, and Italian republic. It existed as the foremost fine art style to disperse throughout Europe, which demonstrated the increasing affluence of European cities and the authority of church monasteries. The Romanesque mode eventually fabricated its fashion over to England where information technology became known equally Norman art and connected to develop until the emergence of the Gothic Art menstruum.

Gothic Period

The last period of late Medieval Art was the Gothic art catamenia, which began developing in the 12^th century. Growing out of Romanesque art, the Gothic period emerged when the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis in French republic was being renovated. The style began to abound in popularity and spread all over Europe, eventually replacing Romanesque fine art entirely.

Gothic art was characterized past the use of brighter colors, dimensions, and perspective, as it demonstrated a pointed motility back towards realism.

Artists began to use more than shadows and light in their artworks and experimented with broad and new subject matters. Religion was dropped every bit the most important chemical element within art, as these new subject matters included animals and mythic scenes. Figures depicted within the Gothic period made employ of more realism, as paintings became more than lifelike.

St. Aegidius and the Hindu (c. 1500) by Primary of St. Aegidius;National Gallery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As cities began to expand, the rise in universities, trade, and creation led to the formation of an entirely new class who could of a sudden afford artistic commissions. This ultimately allowed Medieval artists to explore more earthly and not-religious themes and subject matters in their artworks. Gothic architecture presented some revolutionary structural advancements to buildings, which were used to create taller and lighter buildings.

Similarly, sculpture within this era borrowed elements from architecture and was mainly used to decorate the facade of cathedrals and other religious buildings. Gothic art somewhen morphed into the Renaissance period, as elements began to mix together as the creative period changed.

Medieval Architecture

During the Medieval Art menstruation, compages formed an important part of the artistic developments. The Middle Ages was an era where political order was practically non-existent, which left many mutual individuals with no hope in their lives and very little to alive for. The but certainty that existed was the promise of peace in sky, where happiness and hope would finally be experienced.

The cathedral, side, Cologne, the Rhine, Frg;See folio for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The influence of faith led to churches being designed by members of the public equally opposed to the clergy, which immune these holy places to run across the requirements of the daily lives of its members. Thus, churches during the Medieval era took on the office of libraries, museums, and picture galleries in addition to being places of worship.

This led to churches becoming the center of town life within the Medieval catamenia. The architectural designs of this fourth dimension illustrate the deep passion and idealism of the Christian and Catholic faith, which was represented in the churches congenital.

These buildings existed every bit a direct expression of the spirituality of society at the time, with the interior décor demonstrating the eager annunciation of the deep religious organized religion of the people during the Eye Ages.

Characteristics of Medieval Art

Due to the vastness of the Medieval period, many different types of mediums were experimented with. The artworks that still remain in large quantities include sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, tapestries, metalwork, stained glass, and mosaics. These art forms were all said to have college survival rates than fresco wall paintings and works made out of precious metals, despite them beingness extremely popular during Medieval Art. Below, we will talk about some of the well-nigh meaning mediums of Medieval Art and their characteristics.

La Dame à la licorne(The Lady and the Unicorn), also called the Tapestry Cycle, is the title of a serial of half-dozen Flemish tapestries depicting the senses. They are estimated to have been woven in the belatedly 15th century in the mode of mille-fleurs;Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Medieval Paintings

During the Middle Ages, faith went on to go a prevalent theme in the majority of the artworks that were produced. Vibrant paintings that featured famous icons, such as Jesus and the Virgin Mary, were common during the early on stages of the Medieval period. Ane of the almost iconic religious paintings created during this time was Last Supper by Giotto di Bondone, painted in 1306. This painting portrayed Jesus surrounded by his apostles, which went on to go the most depicted religious scene in art history.

Terminal Supper (1304-1306) by Giotto di Bondone;Giotto di Bondone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nevertheless, by the time the Gothic art menstruum came around, artists began to stray away from the inclusion of typical religious themes in their artworks. This meant that the subject matter began to modify, along with the fine art style, as paintings started to focus on mythology, animals, and various other themes that differed from the norm. I particular artistic element that artists began to prefer within their artworks was realism, which became an important characteristic in the paintings created during the Medieval phase.

Medieval Sculptures

The inclusion of realism also featured inside the Medieval sculptures that were created. Prior to the autumn of the Roman Empire, sculptures were traditionally stylized in their features. Afterwards the empire collapsed, realism was ushered in by the Ottonians and Carolingians, who emphasized the utilize of realistic aesthetics over the apathetic expressions that were used in periods such as the Byzantine era.

Virgin and Child, ivory, first half of the 14th century; Vassil, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This transition into realism began a significant menstruum of cultural revival within Medieval Art. Exquisite ivory carvings began to re-emerge, along with bronze castings that had three-dimensional details. These sculptures were influenced by classical realism that had exceeded previous fine art movements and had found expression during the Medieval phase.

Due to the vastness of Medieval Fine art, many styles and types of sculpture came and left, which accounted for the different architectural sculptures constitute within the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

Prominent Medieval sculptures included the figures that decorated the exterior of famous churches, besides as carvings of the Virgin Mary. The size of sculptures also denoted the wealth of individuals, with full-scale alabaster tombs existing as signs of excessive abundance, while smaller ivory sculptures were seen as merely devotional objects.

Illuminated Manuscripts

An fine art form that rose in popularity during the Medieval era was illuminated manuscripts, which featured documents of adorning text and ornamental objects. In the art archives today, the majority of the surviving illuminated manuscripts come from the Medieval phase of art.

The creation of illuminated manuscripts was an expensive and complicated process, equally it began with writing the text onto sheets of parchment newspaper. Once this was completed, a lengthy stage of planning began, whereby the blank spaces within the layout were used for decoration. Within the last step, stunning figures were painted onto these pages and often made use of gold, which was a favored color in the earliest manuscripts that were created.

Epistles of St Paul with Gloss (c. 1150), illumination on parchment;Bodleian Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Due to the vast evolution of illuminated manuscripts, a unique style that emerged was the creation of the historiated letter. This was an enlarged, oft busy letter used at the offset of a paragraph and other sections of text that typically contained a picture. This was first seen in Insular Art before becoming increasingly pop during the Romanesque period.

The production of illuminated manuscripts had a bang-up influence on the evolution of fine art, with these decorative initials being seen in antique-inspired books of myths and legends today.

Stained Glass

Another stunning type of art that was prevalent during the Medieval era was the art of stained drinking glass. This fine art form was created past mixing sand and wood ash together before melting it into a liquid so that it molded into a glass. Before the glass had hardened, powdered metals were added which created the beautiful colors seen in the glassworks that later busy great cathedrals.

The colors, while incredibly vibrant, depended on the type of stain and ingredients used simply no matter the mixture, breathtaking scenes of wonder were e'er guaranteed. These stained-drinking glass masterpieces were incredibly time-consuming, equally different pieces of glass were carefully arranged together before deciding on the final blueprint and design.

Artists then added final details past hand before putting together the finished artwork and attaching it into a window. Religion was also an of import theme within the cosmos of these stained-glass designs, every bit they were essentially used to adorn the windows of churches and cathedrals with beloved icons from the Bible.

The stained glass window with the Stories of San Giacomo Maggiore, past Corrado de 'Mochis from 1554-1564. It was commissioned past Pius IV of the Medici di Marignano;Carlo Dell'Orto, CC By-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Famous Medieval Artworks

As the Medieval Art period was one of the oldest fine art periods to occur, many early Medieval art and their artists remain unknown to us. The artworks that have survived throughout the centuries, most notably sculptures and architecture, belong to artists who produced what was considered to be late Medieval art. Additionally, the nearly notable artists that are spoken about today lived during the latter role of the Medieval catamenia and are thought to overlap with the beginning of the Renaissance.

As most of the fresco paintings did non survive subsequently the cease of the Medieval era, nosotros volition be exploring some of the most notable architectural structures to come up from this menses of artistic creation.

Hagia Sophia (built in 537 A.D.)

Built at the starting time of the Byzantine period inside Medieval Art, under the direction of Roman emperor Justinian I, the Hagia Sophia was the largest Christian church in existence within the Eastern Roman Empire. Originally built as a Greek Orthodox Christian church, the Hagia Sophie was converted into a mosque in 1453 later the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire. Today, the Hagia Sophia exists as a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.

A photograph of the Hagia Sophia, built in 537 A.D.;Ali Rıza Paşa, -1907, photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Due to its structural blueprint, the Hagia Sophia is believed to exist the epitome of Byzantine compages, as information technology is also ane of the greatest surviving architectural examples from this period. At the time of its structure, it was considered to be the world'south tallest building and was well-known for its distinctive and massive dome, as information technology was the first church to ever make use of a fully penetrative dome.

The interior of the structure was originally decorated with rich mosaics and marble pillars that held great creative value. Beingness seen as a great achievement of late antiquity, its architectural and eucharistic influence spread throughout both Eastern and Western Christianity and Islam. Today, the Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Lindisfarne Gospels (written betwixt 715 – 720 A.D.)

Existing as one of the greatest examples of Insular Art, the Lindisfarne Gospels is an illuminated manuscript gospel book that was written in a monastery in Lindisfarne in North East England. This manuscript, which blends Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Mediterranean elements, is fabricated up of the four Christian gospels, Matthew, Luke, Marker, and John.

Folio 27r from the Lindisfarne Gospels, incipit to the Gospel of Matthew. The main text contains the outset sentence of the Gospel According to Saint Matthew: "Liber generationis Iesu Christi filii David filii Abraham" ("The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham");Eadfrith of Lindisfarne (presumed), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Supposedly mimicking St. Jerome's Latin translation of the Bible, the Gospels recount the life and teachings of Christ. The manuscript is seen as a nifty case of Medieval European bookmaking, as it was richly illustrated and originally encased in a fine leather bounding that was covered with precious jewels and metals.

Palatine Chapel (built between 790 – 805 A.D.)

Located in Germany, the Palatine Chapel was a Medieval chapel that was consecrated by Pope Leo Three in 805 A.D. to honor the Virgin Mary. It existed as the outstanding piece of Charlemagne's Palace of Aachen. While this palace no longer exists today, the preserved chapel now forms office of the Aachen Cathedral. Seen as an early example of Classical, Byzantine, and Pre-Romanesque art, as the architecture combined elements of all three periods, the Palatine Chapel is an exemplary vision of Middle Ages fine art.

A photo of the exterior of Capella Palatina. Palermo, Italia;Liilia Moroz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The edifice was made upwardly of a dome chapel with a square alcove and two basilican structures that are only known through archeology, as the original structures have sadly been destroyed. The structure of the dome, which resembled an octagonal curtilage vault, borrowed heavily from the Roman menstruation of fine art through its techniques. Similar other structures created in the Medieval period, the Palatine Chapel was designated as a UNESCO Earth Heritage Site, as information technology also now forms function of the Aachen Cathedral.

Notre Dame de Paris (built between 1163 – 1345 A.D.)

Perhaps the about well-known Gothic cathedral in existence is the iconic Notre-Matriarch de Paris, which took over 100 years to exist fully completed. At the start of the Medieval era, Notre Dame was considered to be an incredibly expensive commission of architecture. Artworks of this magnitude were only accessibly to big institutions at the time, such equally the church, or past the wealthiest of patrons. This late Medieval art structure was declared a UNESCO Earth Heritage Site in 1991.

Translated to mean "Our Lady of Paris", Notre-Dame was sanctified and dedicated to Virgin Mary. The cathedral is as well seen every bit the finest example of Gothic architecture, every bit the cathedral pioneered the use of flying buttresses and rib vaults, in add-on to its beautiful stained-glass windows and iconic sculptural elements. Notre Dame differed significantly from the Romanesque way that appeared before it due to its distinct style and design.

A view of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, on the Ile de la Cité in Paris, 1855;Chocolate-brown University Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The cathedral, which was the site of Napoleon I'due south coronation, gained notoriety in gild, as interest in the cathedral sparked later on Victor Hugo's 1831 publication of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. While it was also adjusted into many movies, the most notable adaption came from Walt Disney Pictures in 1996.

Since the cathedral'due south original construction, it has suffered major damage and dilapidation in the centuries that have gone by. The most recent destruction occurred in 2019 when a massive fire broke out in the attic of the cathedral and destroyed the 19th-century spire. Two years since this destruction, restorations to rebuild the spire remain underway.

Literature from Middle Ages Fine art

In addition to artworks, some iconic pieces of literature were likewise produced during the Medieval period. The bulk of the literature coming from the Middle Ages was written by monks and religious leaders, every bit very few other people know how to read and write. Due to this, the bachelor literature was incredibly religious, equally hymns and songs about God were mostly written. However, some leaders wrote philosophical documents almost faith, which differed slightly from the typical hymns.

Saint Marina the Monk presented to the monastery, from Jacobus de Voragine's Legenda aurea (Golden Legend), 14th century, France;Richard de Montbaston, from Jacobus de Voragine, Legenda aurea (traduction de Jean de Vignay), France, Paris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most notable books coming from the Medieval era, which told stories about Saints during this time period, was the Golden Legend. The volume was written by the archbishop of Genoa, Jacobus de Voragine, between 1259 and 1266. Some other secular books were written as well, but the more religious literature pieces proved to exist more popular.

While organized religion influenced the majority of the literature produced, some famous non-religious literary works were also written. Some of these works include The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer and The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri to name a few. These literary masterpieces, which are yet spoken about today, have managed to withstand the test of time and exist as some of the most iconic writings that were produced during the Medieval Fine art period.

The beginning of the Renaissance period signaled an end to Medieval Art and saw a return to the values of classical art and a renewed understanding of the features within the Middle Ages fine art. While the Medieval era was generally thought of every bit a dark period in history, its contribution has influenced the many different art styles that be today. Due to its all-encompassing time frame, Medieval Art experimented with a multifariousness of genres that helped augment its range, which has allowed the movement to stand as evidence to the progression of fine art.

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