Art In The Middle Ages

Art In The Middle Ages

By Madison Nef

Art during the Middle Ages varied widely depending on the location in Europe and also the time period the art was made during. However, art from this time period in general could be divided into 3 different categories: Byzantine Art, Romanesque Art, and Gothic Art.  Most of this art was religious art, inspired by Catholic subjects and themes. The different styles of art included painting, sculpture, metal work, engraving, stained glass windows, and manuscripts. The end of the Middle Ages is often represented by the vast change of art at the start of the Renaissance Period.

Byzantine Art
The start of the Middle Ages is often called the Dark Ages. This is the period of time from 500 to 1000 AD. The main form of art during that time was Byzantine art produced by artists from the Eastern Roman Empire, also called Byzantium. This style of art was defined by the lack of reality in each work. The artists set aside realism in their work and focused instead on the symbolism of their art and the inspiration behind every work.

Paintings were often times flat with no shadows, and all subjects were serious, somber, and almost sorrowful. The majority of these paintings were religious pieces, the most common being paintings of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Romanesque Art
The period of Romanesque Art started around 1000 AD and lasted to around 1300 with the beginning of the Gothic Art period. Art prior to that is called pre-Romanesque. Romanesque art was influenced by both the Romans and Byzantine Art. Its focus (much like Byzantine Art) was on religion and Christianity. Where it differed from Byzantine Art was how it was displayed- rather than just paintings, it included architectural details like stained glass art, large murals on walls and domed ceilings, and carvings on buildings and columns. It also included illuminated manuscript art and sculpture.

Gothic Art
Gothic art grew out of Romanesque art. Gothic artists began to use brighter colors, dimensions and perspective, and moved toward more realism. They also began to use more shadows and light in their art and tried out new subject matters beyond the norm of using religious figures- venturing out into animals in mythic and colorful settings.

Artists of the Middle Ages

Many of the artists from the early Middle Ages are still unknown to us. The more famous (and some of the most well-known and acclaimed artists known today) got their fame in the late Middle Ages and most are considered to be Early Renaissance artists. However, the following artists got their name in the late Middle Ages:

• Donatello - An Italian sculpture known for his statues of David, Mary Magdalene, and the Madonna.
• Giotto - Italian artist from the 13th century famous for his frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy.
• Benvenuto di Giuseppe - Also called Cimabue, this Italian artist from Florence was known for his paintings and mosaics.
• Ambrogio Lorenzetti - An Italian painter of the Gothic movement, he is famous for his frescoes, the Allegory of Good Government and the Allegory of Bad Government.

In all… some of the most amazing art pieces were created during the Middle Ages and they are still being appreciated today. It is amazing that people who have been dead for centuries have left such an impact on our world through art… I bet at the time they created these pieces, they didn’t expect them to be famous and still being viewed centuries later. I would never have guessed… would you?

Maddie