| Key to Art History |
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1. The term "Middle Ages" was used as a derogatory term by Renaissance writers to refer to the time between the collapse of the Roman Empire in the fifth century and their own time...the Renaissance. 2. Constantine, the first Christian Roman emperor, moved his court to Constantinople early in the fourth century, and a stylized form of Christian religious art developed in Byzantium. This style influenced art throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. Some historians believe that the images were borrowed from the ancient Greeks. Phidias’ Zeus may have been the model for Jesus. 3. In the West, invading tribes practiced arts more in keeping with their nomadic, military life. 4. During the "Dark Ages" there was no centralized government. A system of social control know as Seignorialism evolved from the agricultural systems of the Roman Empire. While this system survived into the 18th and 19th century, the dominant form of social control during the Middle Ages was know as Feudalism. 5. As invading tribes became more Christianized, a style of art and architecture developed known as Romanesque. This style reflected the unsettled nature of life in the early Middle Ages. Thick walls and narrow windows created fortress-like churches. 6. During the 9th century, the Frankish Emperor, Charlemagne, unified much of Europe. This period is known as the Carolingian Renaissance. Soon Europe was entirely Christianized and churches were no longer subject to destruction by invading forces. The new Gothic churches featured soaring vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses , immense stained glass windows and monumental sculptural friezes for exterior decoration. 7. The Gothic style signaled the end of the Middle Ages and the birth of the Renaissance. Yet, elements of superstition, fear and paranoia lingered into the 1500’s.
[ Middle Ages Overview
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