Medieval, Gothic, and Renaissance Art

Medieval Art

There were eight artistic movements: Byzantine, Islamic, Viking, Carolingian, Celtic, Ottonian, Romanesque, and Gothic art. Medieval art represents the popularity of Christianity. Since the Bible prohibited graven images, artists avoided sculptures that could be viewed from all around and tended toward one dimensional art. Islamic art was known for tessellated patterns, depiction of heaven as a flowering place, geometric forms, and calligraphy. The vikings excelled in wood and metal work , and golden brooches were common. During the Carolingian period, many extravagant churches with luxuries were created. Contrary to Byzantine art, Carolingian art used human forms. Illuminated manuscripts of religious texts were common for artists to embellish in. Celtic art was influenced by geometry and animal depictions. Ottonian art took on a Germanic style. Romanesque architecture gained popularity by 1000 AD. Frescos and reliefs were common on church walls. Inspired by painter Giotto, Gothic art was more realistic than its predecessors. Key change in architecture was incorporation of sculptures as architectural elements. 

Gothic Art

From France, Gothic art made cathedrals and stained glass windows larger than ever before. It strayed from imitations of classical Roman art. Gothic style was influenced by Romanesque style; however, Gothic cathedrals were very high unlike the short and wide ones in Romanesque. Distinctive traits of Gothic art were the ribbed vault, flying buttress, and pointed arch. Architectures competed to build cathedrals taller and taller. The French cathedral of Saint Denis is the best known model of Gothic cathedrals. It served as burial place for kings. The naturalistic style remained dominant. Stained glass window in Gothic design was known as the rose window. Illuminated manuscripts were highly decorated with intricate borders, and the most famous artists of these were the Limbourg brothers, known for painting Jean de France's Book of Hours. Christ was always symbolized as the lamb in these books. Calligraphy remained predominant in all Gothic art. 

Renaissance Art

Devalued the dark medieval traditions in favor for renewal of ancient Greco-Roman culture. Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci were among the most famous Renaissance artists. A complete shift from medieval ideas, the Renaissance valued personal responsibility and knowledge. Major features of Renaissance art were realistic scenery, linear perspective, and chiaroscuro, contrast between light and dark paints. With the new concept of perspective, once flat images could be mathematically positioned and allow for more dimension and depth. Masaccio's Holy Trinity was the first to use perspective to accurately represent a space. The Church and the Medici family in Italy patronized artists to replace Byzantine mosaics with lively mythological and biblical sculptures and paintings. Masaccio, Donatello, da Vinci, and Michelangelo were patronized by the Medicis. One of the most famous paintings in the world is da Vinci's Last Supper. Michelangelo created the famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A rival sculptor, Raphael, decorated the walls of the Vatican Library, featuring the School of Athens. 

Pre-Colombian Mesoamerica Podcast Q&A

1. How does the speaker define the area that is "Mesoamerica"?

Mesoamerica is defined by the speaker as the Mexico and Central America region. 

2. How did the topography of Mesoamerica impact civilizations?

Mesoamerica was a high plateau with mountains and slopes to sea level areas. This was important because the different landscape produced different resources and facilitated trade. 

3. What goods were produced in the highlands and lowlands?

The higher area in the center produce obsidian while the sloping lowlands produced seashells and feathers. 

4. Why was is so difficult to move goods in Mesoamerica?

There were few navigable rivers and no domesticated animals to carry goods by land. Goods were slowly moved by men or canoes. 

5. What accomplishments can we credit the Olmecs with?

The Olmecs carved huge stone heads and were the first to build ceremonial complexes for worship and pyramids. They invented the first ball game. They (not the Mayans) also invented the calendar and writing.  

6. Describe the Olmec calendar system.

There were two calendars, one solar of 365 days and one lunar of 260 days. Every 52 years, the first days of each calendar coincided. 

7. What was the purpose of Olmec pyramids?

Their pyramids were used for places of worship. 

8. How were Mayan pyramids different than Olmec pyramids?

They looked different from Olmec pyramids because they were steep and very narrow. 

9. Why was Mayan history "lost" at the time of contact?

After their collapse in the classical era, the Mayans abandoned their cities, but still existed. When the Spanish arrived, much of the Mayan writing could not be deciphered even by the Mayans themselves. So, we'll never fully understand their history. 

10. How does she say that the Aztecs were different than other mesoamericans?

The Aztecs were different because they were successful expansionists and aggressive tribute collectors. Though human sacrifice existed in all of the Mesoamerican civilizations, the Aztecs took that to an unprecedented scale.  

11. What was the purpose of the tribute systems of the Aztecs?

Their land could not produce enough food to support the growing Aztec civilization, so tribute systems were put into effect to collect food and money-making resources. 

12. Describe the Aztec creation myth.  

The Aztecs believed in this myth that said the world was created and destroyed four times and recreated by the sun god for the fifth time. The gods met together to create the world; one god was asked to throw himself in the fire to create the world, but he refused. Then, a lesser god threw himself into the fire. The other god was embarrassed to be shown up by a lesser god and threw himself into the fire as well. The two gods did not immediately create the sun and the moon because they waited for sacrifice. So, one by one, the gods had to each sacrifice themselves to make the sun and the moon rise. Sacrifice was essential to keep the world going.  

13. How was sacrifice of women different than men?

Men were sacrificed at the top of the pyramid and having their hearts cut out alive. Women, on the other hand, would dance at the base of the pyramid and be beheaded.