arhi final w pictures
ISLAMIC ART
General:
7th c
Features in common with Judaism and Christianity
Monotheistic (Allah)
United some middle eastern countries
Art is mostly made of vegetal patterns, geometry, arabesques, and calligraphy
Terms: aniconic- they do not represent holy people in images for fear of Idolatry
DOME OF THE ROCK, 7th Century
- Built on the site of the second Jewish temple
o Destroyed by Titus in 70 AD
- Meant to rival other domes in Rome
- Modeled on Byzantine churches
o Golden and glowing inside, like San vitale
o Muslims learned how to do mosaics from the Byzantines
§ Mosaics of vegetations were intended to invoke the perfect garden of eden
- Holy to all three religions (Christianity, Judaism, islam)
- Not a ritual building- commemorative statue
o Considered sacred- connected to apocalyptic prophesies
Stone Significance
- Built on the rock where:
o God created the world
o Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac
o Solomon built his temple
o Muhammed ascends to heaven
o God manifests his presence
KAABA, MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA, 7th C
- Cube shaped structure, draped in a silk and cotton veil
o Houses a black stone thought to be gifted to Abraham from Gabriel
o Constructed by Abraham and Ismail (his son)
- Birthplace of Muhammed
Significance: 1. Where prayer is directed (where they must face when praying)
2. where you must perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in your life
3. symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth (see Abraham and Gabriel)
4. holiest shrine in Islam
TERM: Hajj: a procession to the mecca where they will devote themselves to God by submitting and unifying their relationship
DECORATION
- No images because its anionic
- Text is important because god is shown as a calligrapher
Sacred Geometry: designs based on shapes: square, circle, octagon, star, or polygons repeated and intertwined to form complex patterns
· None of them are exactly the same which invokes God’s infinite capability to create
· Geometry is the language of God
Tessellations: mathematical pattern that covers a surface without gaps or overlaps
Arabesques: meaning arab-like, intertwined flowing lines
SACRED BUILDING: MOSQUE
· Islamic place of worship
o Also gathering places
· Large buildings with a hall, for gathering arranged around a central courtyard
· The QUIBLA is the wall closest to Mecca often has a Mihrab
a. Mihrab: a niche that points to the exact location of Mecca so they know which way to face when praying
Minaret: prayer towers, detached from the main building during the early days, later they are attached
i. Spiraled- based on Mesopotamian ziggurats
GREAT MOSQUE IN CORDOBA, SPAIN 8Th C
§ Spain was conquered in the 8th C, cordoba was the capital
§ Stripped the stone work in the arches (inspired by the Dome of the Rock)
§ Turned into a Christian church after Spain was retaken
§ Two arches (horseshoe arch and upper round arch) give it more height
Dome before Mihrab (NEW FEATURE)
o Very complex dome
o Represents paradise
o First cross-arched dome
§ Dome with 8 intersecting arches created by ribs that make an octagon
· 8 is used because it represents paradise
o Used a 6 pointed star
§ 6 was used to represent the 6 articles of faith
o The light coming through the dome determined the time of prayer
*new type of vaulting invented in Seljuks
- muqarnas- honey combed patterns in a curved vault
EARLY MIDDLE AGES 5th C
- Barbarian tribes swept through Europe and created the first permanent settlements
o Othrogoths + lombards- Italy
o Visigoths- spain
o Huns- hungary
o Franks- France
o angles + Saxons joined with the Celts- england
- Not a strong figurative tradition or naturalistic tradition
o We see different kinds of art because of their nomadic lifestyle
VIKING ART
- Scandinavians ( Norway, Denmark, Sweden)
- Complex social structure
o Woman had a lot of comparative power
- Traveled a lot to raid places
- Very big on ships
o Modeled them after creatures and used them for war and burials
SUTTON HOO, ca. 700 AD, England
- Intact ship burial
o Whole ship was buried with the body and all the grave goods inside
o The imprint of the ship remains but the ship decayed
- Irish, Sweden, Christian, and byzantine objects and influenced can be seen
o Military gear is Swedish
o Belt buckle is Christian
o Shoulder clasps are irish
§ They are gold and feature cloisonne
o Silver baptismal spoons are Byzantine
- These influences suggest Raewald (king of east Anglia) was buried at this site
o He was Swedish and military gear is passed through one’s lineage (he was Christian)
The Great Belt Buckle
- Meant to hold a relic
- Made of gold and black enamel
- Features zoomorphic interlace
1. Purse Lid: Characteristics of European nomadic art:
§ shows many features of European nomadic art
· features cloisonne and interlace
§ the art is part of a functional and easily carried object
· so nomads wouldn’t have to carry additional artwork
Terms:
Cloisonné- enameling technique where cells are made with wire and then liquid glass is poured into them
zoomorphic interlace – interlace that terminates at the animal head
INTERLACE: ribbons that intertwine into complex patterns
§ supposed to trap evil by confusing it and trapping it inside
HIBERNO-SAXON, ca. 800 AD
- combines Celtic and roman influences
Terms: Hiberno-Saxon- referring to a style of art and the characteristics of the piece being both Irish and English
Evangelists and their symbols (list): symbols are prominently featured in manuscripts
- mark- lion
- matthew- man/angel
- luke- ox
- john- eagle
Manuscript: a book hand written on Vellum
Vellum/Parchment: writing surface used for manuscripts, made of calf skin
Illumination: a picture in a manuscript
Diminuendo (art historical meaning): the technique used in illuminated manuscripts where a large letter is followed by gradually smaller letters until the desired size is reached
1. Book of Durrow (Gospel):
§ The colophon (page in a book telling of its production) tells it was written by St. Columba (probably false)
§ Had a metal cover (cumdah)- didn’t survive
§ Called the book of Durrow because it was founded there but it is unknown where it was made
Layout
- Evangelist symbol, carpet page, initial page
Evangelist Symbols
- Depiction of animals is inspired by metalwork and cloisonne
Initial Page
- Decoration of large initials
- Uses diminuendo
- Text is not meant to be legible
- Texts and images are the seen as the same, so the letter is super decorated
o New thing- prior to this text, the concept of images didn’t exist
o God made the word and the word was made flesh in christ so you have to mix them to honor him
Carpet Pages
- First known carpet page
- Inspired by metalwork
- Resembles Persian carpets (unrelated though)
- Interlace traps evil so this page is used to protect the text
- The creation of the patterns is meditative to the monks who make it
LINDISFARNE GOSPELS: 7th C
- Pastel colors used- how to identify this one
Carpet Pages:
- Much more detailed than Durrow
- Uses zoomorphic and regular (very fine) interlace
- Alternating colors to confuse the evil
Matthew Evangelist Portrait:
- First time the evangelists are shown with their symbols
- Only use of “imago” to describe an evangelist portrait
- Inspired by the Codex Amiatinus
o Compare to Codex Amiatinus, Ezra
§ Copies the image of Ezra
§ Same perspective, colors, pose, bench, etc
§ The Lindisfarne gospel adds text, evangelist symbol, and the guy peaking from behind the curtain (could be Christ)
Initial Page:
- MUCH MORE DETAILED
o Starts a trend of increasing detail in medieval manuscripts
o More color because of bigger initials
o Pastel colors show influence from English church
Book of Kells (Gospel) 8th C
- National symbol of Ireland
- Unfinished
Features:
- Harmony pages:
o Shows the 4 evangelists arranged around a cross
§ Demonstrates that all gospels are telling the same story of Christ’s life despite the differences
- Canon Tables:
o Concordances divided into four columns for each evangelist
o shows where the same events can be found in each gospel
§ placed into the columns to make it easier to navigate
- Full page illuminations:
o Ex: Virgin and Child- Mary and Christ is also on the altar
§ Opens the whole book
§ Angels are fanning them with flabellum (used to keep flies off the Eucharist)
o Ex: The Arrest of Christ
§ Christ’s arms are put into a cross shape to place the main theme of the manuscript (the crucifixion, reenacted in the Eucharist)
§ The grapes above Christ represent the wine turned into his blood
o Tunc Cruciferant ( and then they crucified him)
§ Letters on the page are arranged into a cross
- Theme: the crucifixion and the body of christ
- Only one initial page in this one because they are so complex they can function as carpet pages
Chi Rho Initial page
- Introduces the genealogy in the gospel of Matthew which begins with Christ’s name
- No difference between images and words was fully realized
- Nothing like this exists before Hiberno-Saxon manuscripts
- Angels, mice, cats, and other animals are hidden in the image
- A celebration of the word made flesh, giving form to christ
CAROLINGIAN, ca. 800 AD
Charlemagne’s Goals:
- wanted to re-establish the Holy Roman Empire
- was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope (connects church and state)
- art and architecture were inspired by HRE and Constantine
Constantine wanted an educated, Christian population and to establish good examples of sound grammatical practice. Invented modern script
-revised bible
- invited scholars from all over europe
- Regularized worship
- preserved classical Christian texts
- most monestaries couldn’t read each others hand writing so he regularizsed the script so Charlemagne could communicate with the empire
Aachen Palace Complex (Plan)
Palace Chapel
- only part that survives
Inspiration : San Vitale
- centrally planned in the shape of an octagon
- columns and marble stones from San Vitale inside of it and the relic of a roman Soldier
- By basing his palace shapel on San Vitale, Charlemagne was able to visually link himself to the HRE
o Because San Vitale was at Ravenna and sponsered by Justinian
New Feature : Westwork
o Two story narthex flanked by two towers
o Used in pretty much all churches during Gothic period
Interior Dome: features Christ in Majesty surrounded by 24 elders ( described in relevations)
o Inspired by the Council Hall in the Lateran
§ Built by Pope Leo 3 and was the place Charlemagne was crowned
§ Lateran was inspired by St Paul’s (church) outside the walls
St. Riquier, Centula (France), monastic church
- Charlemagne ordered it to be rebuilt
o Original church is greatly altered
- Layout is the same as St. Peter’s in Rome (inspired by it)
o The transept
o Same proportions just 3x smaller
o Has an atrium and a narthex
o Revival of the Roman basilica
NEW FEATURES:
- Groin vault- vault formed when 2 tunnel vaults intersect
o Appears as an x on floor plans
o Innovative
o Standard in romanesque and gothic churches
- Choir- a space where monks got together to sing the psalms
o Became a standard for European churches
- Multiplication of tall towers
o Early Christian churches were low and blended in
o Made the structure visible to signify its importance
o Brought it closer to heaven
o One was a bell tower
MANUSCRIPTS:
- Influenced by Hiberno-Saxon traditions
o Decorated intitals
- Return to italo-byzantine traditions
o Illusionistic images, refined interlace, ecploration of the figure and landscapes
Coronation Gospels 8th C:
- Discovered in Charlemagnes tomb
- Used for coronations services in later empires
- Lavish purple died vellum, script in gold, EXPENSIVE
- Matthew evangelist portrait has similarities to the Godescalc lectionary and the Lindisfarne gospels
- More naturalistic
o Drapery reveals anatomy underneath in a way that makes sense
o Attempt at atmospheric perspective
Ebbo Gospels 8th C:
- Gospel book with four author portraits
- Very expressive but still naturalistic
o Naturalistic proportions and atmospheric perspective
- Short lines that show movement, thing lines suggest a spiritual frenzy while writing it
- Initial page is classical and controlled, more legible
Godescalc Lectionary:
- Read from during mass
- Commemorates the baptism of Charlemagne and family
- Matthew evangelist portrait inspired by the Lindisfarne gospels
OTTONIAN ca. 1000 AD
- Influenced by the Roman and Carolingian empires
- Next HRE
- All 3 rulers named Otto
Ottonian Emperors’ Goals: to continue the vision of the HRE and Charlemagne
St. Cyriakus in Genrode
- A church that is part of a convent
Plan:
- Basilica consisting of two apses (unusual)
o Main apse has a choir
- Has a nave and transept
- Inspired by Carolingian architecture
NEW FEATURES:
- crypt: feature of ottonian architecture
- choir and apse are raised which allowed Gero (builder) to be sponsored there
- allowed pilgrims to be close to relics and sarcophagi
- Gallery between the clerestory and nave arcafe in the interior
- made the structure taller
- kept woman from the altar because they weren’t allowed to see the rituals
St. Michaels, in Hildesheim
- stripped stonework arches inspired by the Great Mosque in Cordoba
o exclusively decorative
a) Bronze Doors with scenes from Old and New Testaments
- Conceived by Bishop Bernward
o Rediscovered directions for large scale bronze casting (previously lost)
- Inspired by the large wooden doors at Santa Sabina
- Cast in a full piece
- Relates back to the temple of Solomon which also had bronze doors
- Left door: old testament, read from top to bottom, symbolizes the fall of man
- Right door: new testament, read from bottom to top, symbolizes christ ascending to heaven
§ The scenes on the door are linked to the ones they are across from
· Crucifixion (salvation) is next to adam and eve eating the apple (caused the need for salvation)
- Revival of ancient roman techniques reflects desires to recreate the HRE
b) Bronze column
- Solomon’s temple was said to have a column in front of the altar so bernward did the samed
- Inspirations: Spiraling narrative mirrors Trajan’s column
- Freestanding column depicting scenes from the life of Christ
o This one is bronze though
NEW FEATURES:
-Stringcourse: long thin line of stone on the wall
- marks the module (specified length) on which the whole building is based
-Stringcourse and second feature: basing a structure on a module creates a building that feels like it makes sense
Gero Crucifix, Cologne Cathedral 10th C
- Made to hang above the altar in the Cologne Cathedral
- Used to open a recess in the back where the Eucharist is kept
- Shows Christ actually dead on the cross
- His halo is embedded with gemstones to demonstrate his divinity
o Common to mix medias
- Very innovative
o Large scale 3D sculptures didn’t really exist before this
§ For fear of idolatry
§ Christ looks for real dead
§ PROFOUND EFFECT ON LATER GERMAN ART
§ REALISM
§ Must kneel to see his eyes are open
· Like Daphni
· Ottonian experiments with physical interaction is inspired by Byzantines same experiments
Liuthar Gospels
- These were made ONLY for Otto 3
o No one else could look at it because there were scandalous materials in it
o Made as a gift from Liuthar
- Shows the Apotheosis of Otto 3: he is shown as Christ
o Enthroned on a mandorla (full body halo) surrounded by the evangelists, a composition derived from Christ as Majesty
§ Veil dividing Otto in 2: acting as the firmament between heaven and earth
§ Two natures mimics the two natures of christ (insane statement honestly)
§ Images of king as christ attests to Byzantine influence (San Vitale altar mosaics)
o First known manuscript with illustrations from the life of Christ
Cross of Lothair
- Probably made for otto 3
- Named this because it has a crystal cameo of Lothair
- A jeweled processional cross with two cameos
- Profiles:
o Augustus in the center, Lothair on the bottom with the crystal
o On the back is the crucifixion with god giving christ a crown
§ Flanking the arms of the cross are personifications of the sun and moon
§ Around the base is a serpent (devil)
- Links to the HRE
o Constantine raised a huge gold cross like this on Golgotha (location of the crucifixion)
o References to Charlemagne, augustus, and Constantine
o Created a visual genealogy that connects these people
o Otto 3 is connected to all aspects of the HRE
§ Forging a false imperial genealogy
o First portrayl of the trinity-dove-wreath
§ Presence of wreath suggests divine origin to Otto 3’s rule
· A sign of crown and triumph
· Otto 3 is presented as Christ himself (insane)