THE MEDIEVAL ART

During the medieval period there were four significant artistic styles that were developed; the
early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic

Early Christian Art (A.D. 300-700)

In the contrast to the Romans love of luxury, worldly pleasures thirst for power Chirsttianity
introduced new sense of value with emphasis on spiritual virtues and eternal life. For them, life
on earth was a preparation for another life after death.

Because of this, early Christians were persecuted by Roman emperors. They lived as
fugitives and practiced their religion secretly.

They used religious symbols as codes to identify themselves and to communicate with one
another. The common symbols were the cross, the lamb, and the Greek Letters Chi-Rho,
Alpha, and Omega.

Layer artists portrayed Christ and the saints with halos. The first known Christian Church is
the old Basilica of Saint Peter built in 326 A.D.

Byzantine Art ( A.D. 300-1000)

Byzantine Art existed from the founding of Constantinople by Emperor Constantine in 330
A.D. During this period, the artistic stymie of the classic tradition and Asian style were
merged. The sharpened and flat style two dimensional art of Asian ( C Hines, Persian and
Japanese) was combined with the western three dimensional style.

Romanesque Art
The roman empire collapsed because of their love for luxury, excessive eating and drinking,
overindulge in material things and power. They were noted for their cruel hobby of bloody
spectacles and the amphitheater. This period was often referred to as the Dark Ages.

Gothic Art
It is often associated with the architectural designs of the cathedrals with high, pointed
spires which seem to strive upwards to reach the sky. This vertical structure was the symbol
and expression of faith.