Gothic / Medieval Art
Main Ideas
Dates: Gothic - 1100 - 1500
Medieval - 1066 - 1485
Gothic art was mostly centered around building, and it first appeared in architecture.
During the Medieval period, art was restricted to be religious based (Christian based), using illuminated manuscripts, mosaics and fresco paintings in churches.
Gothic architecture was similar in many ways to the earlier style of art, Romanesque.
In Medieval art there were no portrait paintings.
Main People/Locations
Gothic
Master Honroe
Duccio di Buaninsegna
Cimabue
Places
Throughout Europe
Medieval
Donatello
Giotto
Lorenzo Ghiberti
Head of King David
During the french revolution statues of kings were decapitated and destroyed , This sculpture of king Davids head is the last surviving king statue from this time period, it was made from local limestone and his eyes were inlaid with lead. 1145
The Adoration of the Shepherds
Late 14th century, tempera on wood, gold ground, arched top, made in Siena, shows the adoration of the Christ Child and the Annunciation Byzantine tradition of representing the adoration of a cave with the Western iconography of a stable. Bartolo di Fredi.
Altar Frontal
Late 14th century, silk on linen, related in style and technique to the embroideries from the covent at Wieshausen, a wealthy Cistercian establishment in Lower saxony in North Central Germany. represents a religious theme.
Gothic Art Facts
- Many paintings and sculptures were religious based, due to the domination of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Many artists were telling stories about what was going on around them in their paintings, such as using a representation of death while the black plague was spreading.
- Many Gothic Structures contain traits from Roman and Greek architecture.
Medieval Art Facts
- Nuns created illuminated manuscripts for the church.
- Animals represented majesty and humor and they were seen in the Bible and gospel books, they enlivened the sacred text.
- Carved stone was used for theological ideas, Biblical tales and whimsical creatures.