MEDIEVAL ART

Art during the Middle Ages saw many changes up to the emergence of the early
Renaissance period. Early art subjects were initially restricted to the production of Pietistic
painting (religious art or Christian art) in the form of illuminated manuscripts, mosaics and
fresco paintings in churches. There were no portrait paintings in the art of the Middle Ages.
The colors were generally somewhat muted.
Christian art and religious iconography began, about two centuries after the death of
Jesus Christ. Christian art and religious iconography was originally based on the classical art
styles and imagery used by the Ancient Greeks and the Ancient Romans. In the period
encompassing Medieval art iconography began to be standardised and to relate more
closely to the texts found in the Bible.

Byzantine Art
The capitol of the Roman Empire was Byzantium which was renamed as
Constantinople. The Roman Empire was spit into two sections - the Eastern and Western
part of the Roman Empire. The Western part of the Roman Empire disintegrated but the
Eastern, or Byzantium Empire, stayed intact. Early Medieval Art reflect the differences
between the development of the Catholic religion in the west and the Byzantium Empire of
the east. Byzantine Art was the name given to the style of art used in very early years of this
era or period. This period was also known as the Dark Ages ( 410 AD - 1066 AD ). The Dark
Ages were followed by the Medieval times of the Middle Ages (1066 - 1485) and changes
which saw the emergence of the early Renaissance Art.

Byzantine Art Style

The Byzantine art style of the Dark Ages or early Medieval Art was created largely for the
Eastern Orthodox Church. The style of Byzantium Art was characterised by:
 Byzantine Art was totally flat - one dimensional. There was no perspective
 There were no shadows
 Figures in Byzantine Art were generally depicted front-facing
 Byzantine Art featured long, narrow and solemn faces
 There was no attempt to portray realism in sombre Byzantine Art
 Pietistic painting (Christian art)
 Artists were members of religious houses such as monasteries
 There were no sculptures as these were looked upon as a form of idolatry
 Sombre tones were used

Romanesque Art
The Western Empire (Europe) was dominated by warring factions and their quest for
conquest and power . Early Medieval Art was initially restricted to the production of Pietistic
painting (religious Christian art) in the form of illuminated manuscripts, mosaics and fresco
paintings in churches. There were no portrait paintings. The colors were generally muted.
The Romanesque art style of the Dark Ages or early Medieval Religious Art was
created largely for the Christian Catholic Church in the European lands which were part of
the western Roman empire. Christian art and religious iconography began, about two
hundred years after the death of Christ. Western Christian art and religious iconography was
originally based on the classical art styles and imagery used by the Ancient Romans. In the
period encompassing Medieval art iconography began to be standardised and to relate more
closely to the texts found in the Bible.

Romanesque Art Style

The Romanesque art style of the middle was created largely for the Western Christian
Church which became known as the Catholic church. The style of Romanesque Art was
characterised by:
 The production of Pietistic painting (religious Christian art) in the form of illuminated
manuscripts, mosaics and fresco paintings in churches
 Medieval art in the form of brightly colored stained glass windows
 Illuminated manuscripts
 The colors in the art of this period were generally muted except those used in
manuscripts and stained glass windows
 Figures in Romanesque Art often varied in size in relation to their importance
 Religious shrines and caskets were decorated with fine metals, gilt work and enamel
 Romanesque embroidery including the Bayeux Tapestry
 Large, stone, figurative sculptures
 Small Ivory Carvings
 Murals

Medieval Gothic Art - Advances of Art in Medieval Times

The Medieval period of the late Middle Ages saw the emergence of Gothic Art and
great advances in art techniques in Medieval Times. During this period artists broke away
from the influences of the Byzantine Art and Romanesque art styles. Gothic art was a
Medieval art movement that lasted about two hundred years of the 12th and 14th centuries.
By the late 14th century Gothic art had evolved towards a more secular and natural style
known as International Gothic. The Gothic artists and painters were founders of the
movement towards greater realism which culminated in the Renaissance art style.

Gothic art saw changes which included:

 Brighter colors
 Move towards realism
 The development of perspective and proportion in Gothic art
 The use of shadows and light
 New ideals of naturalism
 Creation of a sense of pictorial space
 The use of symmetry in Gothic art
 Changes in subject matter including the depiction of animals and mythological
scenes