Download
1 / 29
300 likes | 458 Views
Byzantine & Romanesque. The Middle Ages: 3 Major Shifts. Three major shifts occurred that had far reaching effects on Western civilization: Cultural leadership moved north from the Mediterranean to France, Germany and the British Isles. The Middle Ages: 3 major shifts.
E N D
The Middle Ages: 3 Major Shifts • Three major shifts occurred that had far reaching effects on Western civilization: • Cultural leadership moved north from the Mediterranean to France, Germany and the British Isles.
The Middle Ages: 3 major shifts • Christianity triumphed over paganism and barbarism • Emphasis shifted from the here-and-now to the hereafter (heaven). The body began to be viewed as corrupt rather than beautiful.
Byzantine Art • Byzantine refers to eastern Mediterranean art from A.D. 330 when Constantine transferred the seat of the Roman empire from Rome to Constantinople (also called Byzantium)
Byzantine Art • Constantinople became the center of civilization for early Christian art combined with Greek ornamental style which was rich in color and decoration
Byzantine Art: Mosaics • Characterized by sumptuous grandeur, halos spotlighting sacred figures and shimmering gold backgrounds.
Byzantine Art: Mosaics • Flat, stiff human figures were symmetrically placed, seeming to float as if hung from pegs. • Tall, slim with almond shaped faces, huge eyes and solemn expressions gazed straight ahead without the least hint of movement
Byzantine Art: Haga Sophia • Haga Sophia was nearly 3 football fields long • Combined Roman rectangular basilica layout with a huge central dome
Byzantine Art: Haga Sophia • Pendentives: 4 arches forming a square supported the weight of the dome • 40 arched windows encircle the base of the dome so that it appears to rest on a halo of light
Romanesque Art: • Builders borrowed from Roman architecture creating churches with rounded arches and columns • Layout of churches was in cruciform, symbolizing the body of Christ on the cross
Romanesque Art: • Romaneque churches were plain on the outside except for sculptural reflief by the main door. • Most church-goers were illiterate so the scenes were telling stories in stone.
Romanesque Art: • Manuscripts were sacred objects created by monks and nuns. • Lavishly decorated to reflect their sublime, heavenly content. • Studded with gems and gold.
