The Early Middle Ages

1. The Early Middle Ages 7th to the 10th Century Roman Empire Decline German Invasions Affecting Artistic Development and Other Radical Changes in Social &Political Organizations In addition to the German invasions were those from Islam.

2. Islamic Art • Idolatry forbidden • Consisted mainly of abstracts, floral patterns, or other geometric objects • Sculpture almost nonexistent • Abundance of monumental architecture & architectural decorations

3. Mosque: A place to pray and face towards Mecca Sahn: enclosed courtyard that all mosques have. Qibla: prayer wall Mihrab: small nitche to indicate the direction of Mecca. Exterior: Tall minarets Large and elaborate Islamic Art Expressions Hagia Sophia changed into a mosque

4. Islam • Islam means “submission to God’s will” • Founded by the prophet Muhammed • Message is “brotherhood of Man” & equality before God (Allah) • Differs from Christianity • No priesthood, no religious hierarchy, sacraments or requirements of literagy • Does include rulers and leaders in prayer

5. Islamic Instruction • Faithfully conduct their daily lives • Circumcise male infants • Pray to Allah five times a day facing Mecca. • Worship in the mosque on Fridays • Give to the poor, Fast and practice abstinence in the daylight during Ramaden • Allowed multiple wives

6. The Great Mosque, Cordoba • Mosque built in capital city • Striking example of Islamic art • Double arches first used here were duplicated in additions. (11.1,11.2, 11.3 & 11.4) Christians later turned this into a cathedral but it still conveys the original orientation of Islam.

7. Northern European Art • Influenced by the Germanic tribes • New focus on artistic and political activities • No monumental structure, paintings or sculpture was done to the constant invasions • Invaders stimulated a new craft. . . • Metalwork designs and techniques

8. Anglo-Saxon Metalwork • Purse cover from the 17th century. • Found among a pagan ship wreckage treasures suggesting royalty • Is of gold decoration; cloisonne enamel originally on ivory or bone & dark red garnets. • Early Christian intelace designs and Near Eastern motifs SuttonHoo purse cover from East Anglia, England, 630 AD Merging animal forms suggest invasion

9. Beowulf • Earliest surviving European epic • German folklore with strong Christian morality. • A strange king child found adrift Denmark “Scyld Scefing” Famed was this Beowulf: far flew the boast of him,son of Scyld, in the Scandian lands.So becomes it a youth to quit him wellwith his father's friends, by fee and gift,that to aid him, aged, in after days,come warriors willing, should war draw nigh,liegemen loyal: by lauded deedsshall an earl have honor in every clan.

10. Hiberno-Saxon Art • Ireland escaped invasions at this time • St. Patrick spread Christianity throughout Ireland and for years later it became a haven for scholars, missionaries, monasteries, . . • Christian art also prevailed across Ireland. • Style has been called Insular and Hiberno-Saxon (Hiberno is Latin for “Ireland”)

11. Manuscript Illumination • Illuminated manuscripts produced by monks in monasteries. • Illustrated the Word of God; Visual pleasures • Used a strict unity of color and form. • Crisp, clear sometines contrasting colors; flat surfaces; patterning Lion Symbol of St. John, from the Book of Durrow, After AD650. Represents St. John, Evangelist as a lion . . . .later an eagle.

12. Carolingian Period • Book of Kells • Corresponds with the crowning of Charles the Great-Roman empr. • Charlemagne ruled over the Holy Roman Empire and surrounding territories and revived culture. • Network of learning was created • Latin manuscript texts. . .7LibArts 11.7 Tunc Crucifixerant XPI, from the Book of Kells (Matthew 27:38) Then they crucified Christ & with him two thieves

13. Manuscripts • Charlemagne’s rule involved the Roman revival of culture with manuscripts • Manuscripts worked towards development of a practical form of portable artistic and educational communication • They continued after Charlemagne’s death but more apocalyptic approach • Flatter space, figures connected by geometric design rather than landscapes.

14. Revelation & the Four Symbols of Evangelsits • Revelation-last book of the New Testament • Written by St. John • John’s account of Christ’s word in his appearance to him. • Visionary work with scripture, literary tradition and symbols: lion, bull, man, eagle. • Lion: St. Mark; Bull: St. Luke; Man: St. Matthew, Eagle: St. John. 11.8 Four Evangelists, from a Carolingian Gospel Book

15. Monasteries • Each monastery: • School • Network for artists and scholars to communicate. • Religious and Administrative Center for economic functions • Communal living quarters for Monks Plans for monstery of St.Gall, Switzerland; plan placed church in the center; building around in order of importance of education

16. Ottonian Period • Charlemagne’s grandsons were ineffective rulers of the European reign & fell to invaders. • After the Vikings takeover, the Saxons crowned Otto I as Otto the Great, emperor. • Ottonian refers to rulers named Otto who worked to continue Charlemagne’s revival of Classical antiquity.

17. Major Works of the Ottonian Period • Architectural work: • Benedictine abbey church of St. Michael’s • Metalwork at Hildesheim