Sound & Vision

Ars Nova

Literally 'New Art.' Used to describe the French music of the 14th century.

Canon (Polykleitos)

Treatise by Polykleitos which set out his mathematical basis of an idealized male body shape.

Genre

A style or category of art, music, or literature.

Guido of Arezzo

11th century musical theorist; considered the inventor of modern staff notation.

Guillaume de Machaut

French composer and poet who was the central figure of the ars nova style in late medieval music.

Harp

Stringed instrument in which the resonator, or belly, is perpendicular to the plane of the strings.

Hildegard von Bingen

German Benedictine abbess and composer during the High Middle Ages; known for sacred monophony.

Humanism

Renaissance cultural movement which turned away from medieval scholasticism and revived interest in ancient Greek and Roman thought.

Lute

The simplest of musical textures, consisting of a melody typically sung by a single singer or played by a single instrument.

Monophony

Musical texture of a single voice or line, without accompaniment of any kind.

Plainchant

Also known as Gregorian chant; forms the core of the musical repertoire of the Roman Catholic Church.

Polykleitos

5th century BCE Greek sculptor who devised a canon concerning ideal proportions of the human body.

Psalter

A copy of the biblical Psalms, especially for liturgical use.

Pythagoras

Greek philosopher who may have devised the doctrine of musica universalis, coordinating music and the cosmos with mathematical ratios.

Register

In music, a particular part of the range of a voice or instrument; in art, the level on which motifs are placed.

Stele

An upright stone slab or column typically bearing a commemorative inscription or relief design.

Troubadour

Wandering minstrels, often poets, composers, and performers, active in 12th and 13th century France.

Ur

A Sumerian city-state in ancient Mesopotamia.

Music and the Fountain of Pleasure

A work from De Sphaera, it explores the intersection of music and cosmology. It emphasizes the emotional and spiritual effects of music. The work reflects Renaissance ideas about harmony in nature and the universe, it links music theory to astronomy, it influenced Renaissance thinkers by integrating music with mathematical and philosophical ideas.

Renaissance Music Theory

A field that integrates mathematical principles with musical composition. It was heavily influenced by ancient Greek concepts and the study of harmony. Key figures include Gioseffo Zarlino and Giovanni Gabrieli, who advanced polyphonic techniques.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry

A famous illuminated manuscript created in the early 15th century, renowned for its exquisite miniatures and rich detail. It serves as a crucial example of Gothic art and is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of medieval manuscript illumination. The work reflects the social and cultural life of the time, capturing various aspects of daily life, seasons, and religious events.

Magnus Liber Organi

A 13th-century manuscript. It shows 3 levels of music: music of the spheres, musica humana and of someone trying to create it, marine blue was royal in medieval

The Seikilos Stele

An ancient Greek tombstone from the 2nd century; it is the oldest known complete musical composition with notated music and lyrics, inscribed on the stele itself. The lyrics express themes of love, life, and mortality, reflecting philosophical ideas of the time. Its discovery provides significant insights into ancient Greek culture, music, and funerary practices.

Douris Cup

A red-figure cup from early 5th century BCE Athens. It showcases the artistry of Attic pottery. The cup is attributed to the painter Douris, known for his innovative techniques and contributions to the red-figure style, which allowed for greater detail and realism compared to earlier black-figure pottery. Furthermore, it reflects the cultural and historical context of Athens during its Golden Age, emphasizing themes of mythology and narrative in art.

Standard of Ur

A Sumerian artifact from around 2500 BCE, showcasing the duality of war and peace. It is a rectangular box made of wood, inlaid with lapis lazuli, shell, and red limestone. The narrative scenes depict war victories and peaceful celebrations, illustrating social hierarchy, showcasing the duality of war and peace. The narrative scenes depict war victories and peaceful celebrations, illustrating social hierarchy, and it provides insights into early Mesopotamian civilization, particularly in politics and culture. Additionally, it is considered a masterpiece of Sumerian art and reflects the technological advancements in craftsmanship of the time.