(EECA) Art Gallery

Art Gallery

This review has been designed to help you narrow down the most important works of art covered in this module. It is NOT meant to be a replacement for reading the text or other class activities, but to serve as a supplement. You are responsible for keeping up with the reading in your text as well as provided supplemental readings/websites.

Early Christian Art

In the fourth century, Christianity became the official religion of Rome. The Roman style was adapted to the new faith, but eventually classicism seems to have proved incompatible with Christian subject matter. Classical art expressed physical attributes and the earthly world whereas Christian art stressed the spiritual and the anticipation of a heavenly realm. Christian art moves gradually away from the naturalism and illusionism to the creation of otherworldly realms. In mosaic, this glimmering heavenly world was depicted in tiny, glimmering tiles. Mosaics covered the walls and ceilings of basilica style churches, an adaptation of the Imperial Roman basilica, as well as centrally planned mausoleums. Life-size sculptural figures are few due to fear of idol worship and the connection to the worship of "pagan" deities.

Images of Jesus Christ do not appear regularly in the beginnings of Early Christian art. This was due to the need to hide the practices of Christian worship in fear of persecution and death. Christ often is depicted in allegorical symbolism. One of the most popular symbols of Christ in this period was as the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd motif comes from the Gospel parables of the lost sheep, and of the shepherd who gives his life for his flock. Christ is depicted as a youthful, beardless protector of the Christian flock. After Christianity became the official state religion of the Empire, the images of Christ take on more imperial attributes. It becomes common to see Christ with a halo, a purple robe, and seated on a throne, which denoted kingship. Christ is depicted with a mature beard, unlike the youthful imagery of early Christian art.

Major Characteristics of Early Christian Art

• Time of Persecution (up to the year 323), which resulted in the construction of catacombs, and portable art, which could be hidden from authorities.
• Time of Recognition (after Constantine the Great recognized Christianity), which resulted in the active construction of churches, mosaics, and the rise of books.
• Sculpture was demoted to works in relief only (worry of "graven images").

Byzantine Art

Emperor Constantine I moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople around A.D. 330. The Roman Empire in the West fell one hundred years later. The Roman Empire in the East, however, survived, and it became known as the Byzantine Empire. Although the Turks destroyed much of Constantinople in the 15th century, enough artwork survives in other regions to fully understand Byzantine art. The period was centered on the Orthodox Church and featured painted icons, and decorative churches with mosaics and frescoes. The Byzantine style grew out of Early Christian traditional designs such as depictions of Jesus Christ, saints, and Bible stories. The period is known best for its mosaics and icons, which do not seem to be based on naturalism as the human figures are unnaturally long, the emotions are formal and still, and the facial expressions are conventional, serious, and emotionless. The political structure of the period revolved around the emperor, who was accepted as divinely appointed. Art played a large role in visualizing his power and authority. 

Major Characteristics of Byzantine Art

• Art made primarily for the Orthodox Church. The separation of church and state did not exist.
• Art becomes more abstract and symbolic.
• Little attempt was made for realism in the painting and mosaic depictions. One's outward appearance becomes unimportant. The condition of one's soul is emphasized instead.
• Depth becomes shallow in paintings or mosaics. Strict symmetry is often present.
• Painting took the form of icons; sacred religious works depicting holy persons of the Bible. These are characterized by gold backgrounds, solemn expressions of the persons depicted, long and narrow faces with almond shaped eyes.
• Architecture becomes complicated and domes become major concerns in design.
• Sculpture was largely confined to ivory plaques (called diptychs) carved in low relief.

The Art of Islam

In the seventh and eighth centuries, Islam spread through the Near East, North Africa, and into parts of Southern Europe. Islam remains today one of the world's major religions, with believers on all continents. The worship of Islam has brought a wonderful tradition to the history of world art and architecture. Muslim architects built large mosques, mausoleums, and palaces, each variously decorated with mosaics, tiles, and relief carvings. Decorative forms include stylized plant motifs and abstract geometrical shapes (arabesques) arranged in ornamental patterns. Characteristically, no animals or human figures appear in ornamental or pictorial spaces in sacred buildings. For that reason, Islamic art is very different than the art of Christianity, or other religions.

The mosque is the major architectural structure in the study of the art of Islam. Muhammad was a wealthy merchant of Mecca, who after experiencing a series of revelations, began to preach a new faith. His revelations are contained in the Koran. In 622, Muhammad made his flight (hijra) to the city of Medina. A community of believers began to worship in Muhammad's house compound. The common prayers in this simple setting—an enclosed oblong courtyard with huts (the houses of Muhammad's wives) along one sidewall and a rough portico established the typical mosque form. Mosques, in general, repeat the plan of Muhammad's house.

Major Characteristics of Islamic Art

• The use of calligraphy (art of beautiful writing).
• A preference for covering surfaces with patterns composed of geometric or natural elements (such as the arabesque).
• Figurative art is excluded from the decoration of religious monuments. This is attributed to an Islamic antipathy toward anything that might be mistaken for idolatry.

Medieval and Romanesque Art

Medieval art refers to the art of native Celts of Ireland and Britain from about the 5th century to the 12th century, the Anglo-Saxons creating what is called the Hiberno-Saxon style, and the Viking influences along the coasts of Europe. The Migration Period art describes the movement of Germanic peoples and how their influence blended with Christian art, as well as the characteristics of the "animal style" and interlacing. Pre-Romanesque art is the period from the crowning of Charlemagne in 800 to the start of the Romanesque period in the 12th century. This period includes Carolingian art and Ottonian art (Germany). During this period Roman classical influences are actively researched, rediscovered, and absorbed. Carolingian art becomes the seed from which Romanesque will grow.

The term Romanesque refers to a style that was "Roman-like or in the Roman style." The architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries copied the same thick stonewalls, rounded arches, and the vaults used by Romans.

Characteristics of Romanesque Architecture

• Cut stone became the preferred medium.
• Use of concrete is essentially lost in this period.
• Rejection of wooden structures or structural elements due to fire hazards.
• East end of church the focus for liturgical services, and the west end for the entrance.
• Church doorways serve as "billboards" for scripture or elements of faith.
• Cruciform plans.
• Nave and transept at right angles to one another.
• The church becomes a metaphor for heaven.
• Elevation of churches is based on the basilica form, but the nave is higher than side aisles.  
• Bays divide the nave into compartments.
• Rounded arches are the standard.
• Exterior buttresses to support the walls.

Review the Early Europe and Colonial America I works in the Art Gallery presentation below.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION