Early Christian & Early Medieval Art in Western Europe

Periods and Regions Covered

• Early Christian/Early Medieval Art
• Focus on Western Europe: Present-day Britain, France, Germany
• Comparison with Byzantine Art (Eastern Europe)

Historical Context

• 5th-10th Century: Time of the Warrior Lords
  • Harsh climate and geography influence social and economic systems
  • Spread of Christian faith to British Isles
  • Viking culture dominant in Scandinavian countries
  • Warrior culture: obedience to chieftains, hardship
  • Art features battle imagery, mythical animal figures

Artifacts & Techniques

Fibula

• Functional decorative pin for garments (simpler for common people, elaborate for elites)
• Materials: silver, gold (guilt or guild work), semi-precious stones, cloisonné work

Cloisonné Work

• Enameling technique with gold or copper base
• Filled with liquid enamel, fired in a kiln
• Examples: Brooch, Purse cover of Sutton Hoo
  • Animal interlace, sinuous S-curve patterns
  • Use of semi-precious stones, glass, and enamel
  • Confronting and flanking composite figures

Viking Art

• Unique art style featuring animal interlace
• Examples: Prow of a burial ship, excavated ship remains
• Cultural elements: Viking poetry, symbolism of animals

Manuscripts & Christian Art

Book of Durrow (St. Matthew)

• Ink and tempera on vellum
• Characteristics: twisted perspective, geometric patterns, animal interlace border

Lindisfarne Gospels

• Carpet Page: elaborate, similar to Persian rugs
• Tempera on vellum
• International stylistic influences, angelic figures, semi-grounded perspective

Book of Kells (Cairo symbol)

• Initial letters of Christ's name in Greek (X and P)
• Minute details, animal interlacing, compass usage for circles and patterns

Sculptures and Architecture

High Cross of Muiredach

• Irish cemetery sculpture, 18 feet high
• Sandstone, Bible stories in low relief
• Serve as visual storytelling for an illiterate audience

Charlemagne's Art & Architecture

• Intertwine church and state, renewed interest in Greco-Roman antiquity
• Coronation Gospel: Palace style, realistic rendering of St. Matthew
• Ebo Gospel: expressive, stylized, painterly
• Lindau Gospel Cover: Cloisonné, repoussé (pushed-out gold), semi-precious stones

Palatine Chapel (Aachen)

• Octagonal plan, Byzantine influence
• Variegated stone (Islamic influence)
• Charlemagne's throne, 3-level elevation

Abbey Church Designs

• Westwork: Independent façade marking west entrance, symbolic of control
• St. Michael’s at Hildesheim: Basilican plan, double transept, variegated stone

Bronze Doors (Hildesheim)

• Narrative panels of Old and New Testament
• Expulsion of Adam and Eve: representation of God the Father, bronze relief

Otto's Era & Examples

Otto's Portrait

• Ottonian abstraction, symbolic scale, royal elements
• Combination of church and secular power

Gero Crucifix

• Painted wood, life-size, commissioned for Archbishop of Cologne
• Realistic carving and painting, halo part of cross