1. 6th – 12th Centuries CE
(500 – 1100 CE)
Early Medieval Art
(The Middle Ages)
2. Medieval Times
• Period of History in Europe between the Collapse of the Roman
Empire and The Renaissance
• Terms Medieval / Middle Ages reflects the view of early historians
who saw this period as an age of ignorance, decline, barbarism
between two “golden ages”
• But, this period is important in the development of Europe
3. The Christian Church
• During the Middle Ages in Europe, the Christian Church was very
powerful and wealthy
• The Christian Church was the main repository of learning and the
arts
• The Christian Church was the primary Patron of the Arts, hiring
artists to make art and architecture
4. Manuscripts
• A manuscript is a handwritten book or document also known as an
“Illuminated Manuscript”
• Manuscripts were made before the invention of the printing press
• Many manuscripts were made by monks
• A scribe is the person who writes in a manuscript and the illuminator
does the drawings
• Most manuscripts during the Middle Ages in Europe told Christian
stories
5. Chi Rho Iota
Chi Rho Iota, Page from
Manuscript (Drawing),
Medieval Art, 800 CE
6. Chi Rho Iota
Chi Rho Iota, Page from
Manuscript (Drawing),
Medieval Art, 800 CE
• Chi Rho Iota are Greek letters which
represent the first three letters of
Christ’s name
• from the Book of Kells, a book made by
monks on an island near Scotland
• Illuminated Manuscript written in Latin
containing the four Gospels of the New
Testament (Bible)
• The ink and colors for the book were
imported from the Near East
•Celtic style (the Celts were a group from
the British isles) – Celtic style uses “knots”
– intertwining / overlapping lines and
shapes – also influenced by Barbarians
• The design also contains images of St.
Matthew, and moths (symbol of Christ)
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11. Matthew the Evangelist
Page with Matthew the
Evangelist, page from
Manuscript (Ink and colors
on vellum), 850 CE
12. Matthew the Evangelist
Page with Matthew the Evangelist, page
from Manuscript (Ink and Colors on Vellum),
850 CE
• An evangelist is someone who
receives messages from God
• Matthew is listening to the
words from God sent from an
angel (upper right hand corner).
•Matthew wrote stories in the Old
Testament (Bible)
• Powerful message – feeling of
wind blowing and “energy”
13. Manuscript Cover
Crucifixion with Angels
and Mourning Figures,
outer cover of Lindau
Gospels (Gold with relief
and Precious Stones /
Pearls), 870 CE
14. Manuscript Cover
• Manuscripts often had
elaborate book covers
• Story of Crucifixion of Christ
(Christ on the Cross / suffering)
• Mourning Figures on both
sides of the Crucifix
• Angels on each side of the
Crucifix on the top and in the
“frame”
• Gold with gemstones and
pearls
• Repousse technique – type of
relief (pushing out from the
back with tools)
Crucifixion with Angels and
Mourning Figures, outer cover
of Lindau Gospels (Gold with
relief and Precious Stones /
Pearls), 870 CE
16. Hinged Clasp
• Decorative Clasp from military
uniform (decorative arts)
• Example of ornate Medieval-style
design
• Found in Sutton Hoo burial site,
Suffolk, England
• Decorated with garnet and blue
checkered glass - technique called
millefiori (“a thousand flowers”)
• Geometric designs, snakes,
overlapping boars, a symbol of
strength and bravery in Anglo-Saxon
culture, inspired by Scandinavian
design
Hinged Clasp, Gold
plaques with inlays of
garnet and millefiori glass,
650 CE, length 12.7 cm
19. Viking Burial Ship
Burial Ship (Oseberg Ship), Norway,
Wood, 815-820 CE
Vikings – Seafaring
culture from Scandanavia
– colonized a vast area of
Europe in 9th
and 10th
Centuries
Ships symbolize dead
warrior’s passage to
Valhalla (afterlife)
Serpent shape (coil
shape with serpant’s head
at the prow)
21. Borgund Stave
Church
• Made from four huge timbers (staves)
that form the structural core
• Viking Style
• Wooden buildings dominated Northern
European landscapes in Medieval Period
(including palaces, assembly halls,
churches, and homes / barns)
• Steep pitched roofs protect the walls
from the rain and snow
• On all the gables, either crosses or
dragon heads protect the church and its
congregation from trolls and demons
Borgund Stave Church
(Norway), 1125 - 1150 CE
23. Church of St. Cyriakus
• Medieval style architecture
often has towers, small
arched windows and
doors, made of stone,
appears “heavy”, simple
decoration
•The Church of St. Cyriakus,
inspired architects in
Europe for at least 300
years after it was built
Church of St. Cyriakus (Germany), Begun
961 CE
