The Effects of Politics and Culture on Medieval Christian Art

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document in english

arts and art history

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published 03/06/2008

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Summary

While Christianity could be argued to have started somewhere between the years 1 and 33 AD, it was not the official religion of the Roman Empire until the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, though by then it had extended throughout the empire and its social structure, thus necessitating the official conversion. So during its early years, it had to practiced in secret, and its art created in secret, independent of any stylistic influences of the time. As it became more established, there was a reaction against the pagan art of the Romans, and Christian art intentionally continued in a different style in order to differentiate itself. While Greco-Roman art was very idealized and aesthetically pleasing, medieval Christian art leaned away from realistic depictions and instead relied on subject matter and symbolism, and therefore concept as its basis. Figures became more abstracted in sculpture and painting, though not for lack of skill on the part of the artists. As the third dimension was denied, the art was more spiritualized, and was meant to be understood as a picture, rather than a direct representation.

Christian Art.
1. Early Christian art was already emerging by the second century AD and could be found in cemeteries and catacombs.
2. The stylistic differences between classical forms and the new Christian style continued into portraiture.
3. With the legalization of Christianity and its establishment as the official state religion, churches were needed to hold all the new worshippers.
Migration Art.
1. The artistic tradition of the migration tribes was therefore completely unrelated to that of the Romans and their classical artistic forms.
2. The Crown of Recceswinth from the 7th century AD in Spain shows the degree of intricacy typical of Migration metalwork and jewelry.
3. An effect of the influence of Migration art on early Christian art can be seen in the Maiestas Domini altar from 731-744 AD in Italy.
Hiberno-Saxon Art
1. Another page from the Book of Durrow is titled the Symbol of Saint Matthew.
2. Hiberno-Saxon art is characterized by flat picture planes and abstracted images that border on the unrecognizable.
Carolingian Art
1. The Equestrian Portrait of a Carolingian Emperor, assumed to be Charlemagne, from the 9th century AD, illustrates the slow reemergence of classical styles.
2. No longer is the primary figure floating on a background of flat color.
3. Carolingian art was remarkable for its time as it formed a resurgence of classical styles applied to Christian subjects.
Charlemagne
1. Charlemagne was born around the year 748.
2. Charlemagne's kingdom encapsulated much of Central Europe, stretching from the border between modern-day Spain and France, and east across France and to Germany.
3. In 813 AD Charlemagne crowned his only surviving legitimate son, Louis the Pious, as emperor.