Early Medieval Art

(The Middle Ages)

6th – 12th Centuries CE

(500 – 1100 CE)
 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

 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
 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
Chi Rho Iota

Chi Rho Iota, Page from

Manuscript (Drawing),
Medieval Art, 800 CE
Chi Rho Iota • 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.
Chi Rho Iota, Page from Matthew, and moths (symbol of Christ)
Manuscript (Drawing),
Medieval Art, 800 CE
Matthew the Evangelist

Page with Matthew the

Evangelist, page from
Manuscript (Ink and colors
on vellum), 850 CE
 Matthew the Evangelist

• 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”

Page with Matthew the Evangelist, page

from Manuscript (Ink and Colors on Vellum),
850 CE
Manuscript Cover

Crucifixion with Angels

and Mourning Figures,
outer cover of Lindau
Gospels (Gold with relief
and Precious Stones /
Pearls), 870 CE
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 Crucifixion with Angels and

pearls
• Repousse technique – type of
relief (pushing out from the
back with tools)
Mourning Figures, outer cover
of Lindau Gospels (Gold with
relief and Precious Stones /
Pearls), 870 CE
Hinged Clasp
 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, Hinged Clasp, Gold
overlapping boars, a symbol of plaques with inlays of
strength and bravery in Anglo-Saxon garnet and millefiori glass,
culture, inspired by Scandinavian 650 CE, length 12.7 cm
design
Viking Burial Ship
Bow of Viking
Burial Ship
Viking Burial Ship
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)
Burial Ship (Oseberg Ship), Norway,
Wood, 815-820 CE
Borgund
Stave
Church
• Made from four huge timbers (staves) Borgund Stave
that form the structural core
Church
• 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 Borgund Stave Church
congregation from trolls and demons (Norway), 1125 - 1150 CE
Church of St. Cyriakus
 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