Medieval Art

The course is an introduction to medieval art. It is a survey of various styles and artistic media (architecture, painting, manuscript illumination etc) between 4th and 14th century AD. We focus on medieval western art and present in summary stylistic choices and preferences of the byzantine and Islamic world.

Objectives

Prerequisites

No specific requirements needed.

Syllabus

• The terms “Medieval” and “Byzantine”: conception, history and contemporary understanding of the terms. The first centuries after the birth of Christ in Europe. • The proto-byzantine era. The “barbarians” of Europe, 5th – 8th c. • Carolingian Renaissance. • Middle Byzantine period. The birth and spread of Islam. • Ottonian art. • Historical and social changes in Europe at the turn of the millennium. • The Romanesque Style. • The Gothic Style: birth and spread. • Late Medieval Art. • Gothic revivals.