Middle Ages Art

Iconic vs Narrative

Iconic represents an idea or concept, Narrative tells a story

Byzantium

The artistic and architectural styles developed during the Byzantine Empire

Mosaic

Decorative art form created by piecing together small pieces of colored materials like glass, stone, or tile, into a pattern or a picture

Tesserae

Small pieces of stone, glass, ceramic, or other materials used in Mosaic art to create designs or images

Plan

Composition or arrangement of a structure

Elevation

Height of a building or architectural structure above the surrounding ground level; ie. domes and vaults

Iconic Image

Refers to a visual representation that holds significant cultural, historical, or symbolic meaning that are often recognized across time and cultures (i.e. the Mona Lisa)

Narrative Image

Refers to artwork that tells a story or conveys a message through a sequence of visual elements, often depicting events, characters, and themes

Niche

Small recess in a wall

Name and Culture

Justinian & Attendants; Byzantine

Genre

Category of art that depicts scenes of everyday life, often featuring ordinary people engaged in common activities

Minbar

A pulpit in a mosque where the prayer leader (Imam) delivers sermons

Mihrab

Semi-circular niche that indicates the direction of Mecca

Arabesques

Style of decoration characterized by intertwining plants and abstract curvilinear motifs

Horseshoe Arch

Arch with a rounded shape

Luxury Arts

Arts in Cosmopolitan Islamic societies; Wealthy people commissioned works in metal, ivory, precious stones, and glass + Sumptuous books

Minaret

Architectural feature in Islamic religious architecture, usually a tall tower connected to a mosque from which the call to prayer (adhan) is announced

Illuminated manuscript

Handwritten book that has been decorated with gold, silver, and vibrant colors, often featuring elaborate designs and miniature illustrations

Khufic Script

Early form of Arabic calligraphy, used to write the Qur’an

Name and Culture/Age

Plate w/ Khufic Border; Khurasan

Name & Culture/Age

Tile Mosaic Mihrab; Iran

Name & Culture/Age

Illuminated Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent; Turkey

Name & Culture/Age

The Seduction of Yusuf; Afghanistan

Artist

Kamal un-din

Carpet page

Decorative page in illuminated manuscripts

Scriptorium

A designated space within a monastery where monks would copy, transcribe, and create illuminated manuscripts

Cloister

Covered walkway or corridor in monastic settings

Ambulatory

Covered walkway or corridor in romanesque and gothic architecture

Buttresses

Architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall to provide support and stability

Crossing/transept

Significant architectural features in cruciform churches in the Romanesque and gothic traditions. Crossing is where the nave and transept intersect; the transept is the rectangular area that crosses the main axis giving it a cross shape that separates the main area from an apse at the end

Tympanum

Semi-circular or triangular decorative panel located above a doorway, often adorned with intricate sculptures and relief carvings, particularly prominent in Romanesque and Gothic architecture

Mandorla

An almond-shaped aureole of light that surrounds the figure of a holy person in religious art like Jesus and the Virgin Mary

Tapestry

Woven decorative fabric

Embroidery

Decorating fabric using a needle to stitch thread or yarn

Name &Culture/Age

Last Judgement at Autun; Romanesque

Artist

Gislebertus

Name & Culture/Age

Creation & Fall of Adam & Eve; Romanesque

Artist

Wiligelmo

Name & Culture/age

Christ in Majesty; Romanesque

Stained Glass

Colored glass used in decorative windows and other objects, colored using metallic oxides during the manufacturing process

Rose window

Circular window often adorned with intricate stained glass found in Gothic architecture, symbolizing divine light and unity

Lancet

Pointed arch that resembles the tip of a lance used in Gothic architecture

Flying Buttress

Architectural structure that extends from the upper part of a wall to a detached pier allowing for greater support and stability found in gothic architecture

Rib Vaulting

Architectural innovation used in Gothic architecture characterized by a framework of intersecting stone ribs that form a skeletal structure, with thinner stone panels filling the spaces between the ribs. Allows for even distribution of weight

Pointed Arch

Architectural element characterized by a sharp apex found in gothic architecture that allows greater height and larger windows

Book of Hours

Prayer book that blends religious devotion and artistic expression popular in the Middle Ages

Egg Tempera

Painting technique that uses egg yolk mixed with powdered pigments and a small amount of water to create a fast-drying medium

Fresco

Mural painting technique that involves applying water-based pigments onto freshly laid wet plaster, creating vibrant and durable works

Historiated Capital

type of capital that has figures or scenes that depict historical or narrative content

Cental Plan

An architectural design that is organized around a central point, often allowing for a symmetrical and harmonious layout.

Longitudinal Plan

Building developed along a horizontal axis

Name & Culture/Age

Flight into Egypt; Gothic

Name & Culture/Age & Material

Rose window and Lancets, Chartres Cathedral; Gothic; Stained and painted glass

Name & Age/Location

Cathedral of Notre Dame; Paris, France; Gothic

Name & Culture/Age

Virgin and Child Enthroned; Italo-Byzantine; Early Renaissance

Artist

Cimabue

Qibla

The direction towards the Kaaba in Mecca indicated by the mihrab