Cyrus Francis G.

Gibraltar BSMT-1 Overhand Knot

Medieval Art

CHARACTERISTICS
Byzantine art (4th - 15th century CE) is
generally characterized by a move away from
the naturalism of the Classical tradition
towards the more abstract and universal, there
is a definite preference for two-dimensional
Byzantine Art representations, and those artworks which
contain a religious message predominate.
Byzantine art preferred stylized imagery to
naturalistic depictions. The aim of their art was
to inspire a sense of wonder and admiration for
the church. In this way, their use of graceful,
floating figures, and golden tesserae
emphasized the otherworldliness of the
religious subjects.
Romanesque art is characterized by a massiveness
of scale, reflecting the greater social stability of the
new Millennium, and the growing confidence of the
Christian Church in Rome, a Church whose
expansionism set in motion the Crusades to free the
Holy Land from the grip of Islam. Later, the success
Romanesque Art of the Crusaders and their acquisition of Holy Relics
stimulated further construction of new churches
across Europe in the fully-fledged Romanesque
style of architecture (Norman architecture in Britain
and Ireland). In turn, this building program
produced a huge demand for decorative religious
art, including sculpture, stained glass and
ecclesiastical metalwork of all types. By the 12th
century, certain architects and sculptors had
become highly sought-after by ecclesiastical and
secular patrons
 Gothic art refers to the style of European
architecture, sculpture (and minor arts) which
linked medieval Romanesque art with the Early
Renaissance. The period is divided into Early Gothic
(1150-1250), High Gothic (1250-1375), and
International Gothic (1375-1450). Primarily a public
Medieval Gothic Art form of Christian art, it flourished initially in the Ile
de France and surrounding region in the period
1150- 1250, and then spread throughout northern
Europe. Its main form of expression was
architecture exemplified by the great Gothic
cathedrals of Northern France. Gothic art style can
vary according to location, age, and type of
building, it is often characterized by 5 key
architectural elements: large stained glass windows,
pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and
ornate decoration