[Bob Hook]

The Gothic style and especially the High Gothic style opened up the walls of the churches with pointed arches continuing to the Groin Vault and ribs of the ceiling. The addition of flying buttresses did away with the need for interior columns to support the load of the roof. The roof load could be transferred to the outer walls creating a more open area with higher interior ceilings. This architectural advancement allowed for the exterior to appear less like a fortification and more transparent. Walls could be opened, and the spires could take on a structure that seems to be pierced with light traveling through it. The first glass used was called grisaille and was produced in varying shades of gray. There is an excellent example of grisaille in the original glass of the Salisbury Cathedral. Glass from the Victorian era was added later, and it is then that you begin to see not only the brilliant outlines and bright colors but the introduction of religious themes. It is interesting to note that as architectural and artisan techniques were developed they were quickly adopted by the church to convey their message to the people.

[Bob Hook]

I think that some of the rich and nobility sanctioned religion in ways that not only glorified God but glorified themselves. The Book of Hours is an excellent example of the disparity between what the wealthy used and what the lay people had. A religious text that was used to develop a prayer sequence. Thousands of these books were created from 1250 until 1700. The prayers and prayer sequence began with praise for the Virgin Mary and eventually was known as the Hours of the Virgin. Patrons could have the basic model or if they wanted could expand upon the illustration. Supporters were found who wanted to not only support their own religious activities but demonstrate their wealth. It is easy to understand how these economic factors drove the creation of more ornate plates and fonts. They often included images of the family and embellished favorite psalms or saints of the church. The nobility could take great comfort in knowing that their names and efforts were associated with Holy works and words.

[Bob Hook]

I agree with you Laura that the use of these illustrated bibles was used as a physical demonstration of wealth by the nobility. I wonder how many of the nobles were actually able to read or if they were just ornaments of their social position.

[Bob Hook]

I think we also need to remember that the stained windows were a pleasant and beautic=ful source of light. With only candles, torches and fireplaces older churches had to be fairly dark and dismal setting. What a wonderful way to bring beauty inside for the worshippers.

[Bob Hook]

I was so glad to see that at least someone had a sense of humor during these times. It was great to see these images thanks for posting them.

[Bob Hook]

I think the imagery depicted at the entry portal at the Church in Conques, France is a perfect example of the essence of the Bible in a non-literary format. It is scenes from the Last Judgement carved in marble in the semi-circular area above the entrance called the tympanum. Christ is passing judgment on all of us, the living and the dead. The hand of God is above him and below are the Saints and other members of the Holy Family. To his left are those souls on the way to the eternal happiness of heaven and on the right on those souls heading for the chaos of hell.
Interestingly enough there are few guidelines for how to live a righteous life, but there are details of what gets you into hell. Gluttony is out along with being wealthy or having committed suicide by hanging. The images are grotesque, and the demons are many. Satan is also depicted and is even seated on a throne passing out judgment and sentences. The illiterate pilgrim would have no problem determining the lifestyle to avoid to prevent eternal damnation.

[Bob Hook]

Raven: I think you raise a great point about the pilgrims’ travels. I can see how “spiritual tourism” developed into a commercial venture. Complete with food and lodging, travel arrangements, tour guides, and souvenirs. I have never thought to equate these modern concepts to prior times.

[Bob Hook]

The Church of Sainte-Foy, Conques, France c. 1050-1139C.E. is an excellent example of how the design of the church controls not only the traffic but the narrative. It is a pilgrimage church on the route to Santiago de Compostela. It was designed with a cruciform plan with pilgrims entering through the west portal and stylistically through the bottom of the cross. Pilgrims would circumnavigate through the church and would eventually arrive the apse ant the eastern end. The pilgrim passed several radiating chapels and the Reliquary statue of Saint-Foy (Saint Faith) and out the transept or crossing at the south entrance to the church. The church represented just another affirmation of their faith on the pilgrim’s journey for spiritual purification.

[Bob Hook]

Miranda, you raise a great point. Words do impact how we view art and everything else. We are all looking for the quick definition that allows us to form our opinions without necessarily taking the time to evaluate the merit of any particular piece of art or culture.

[Bob Hook]

I think the inclusion of Christ, saints and angels and other religious symbols in the illuminated manuscripts are definitely the influence of Byzantine art. I think you can find Classical influence in the addition of animals and human figures woven in among the pages of the manuscripts. I think The Book of Kells is a prime example of this, with angels, a human head, cats, and mice sharing a host wafer all on the page with the Greeks letters Chi and Rho the first two letters in the name Christ.

[Bob Hook]

Kaitlyn, I agree with you. I think the Christian religion provided the continuity between the Byzantine cultural images and many of the Medieval era. The image of the cross and Christ on a cross are images that are easily identifiable by our society. They are cultural landmarks that we easily recognize.

[Bob Hook]

Initially, I believed that the term Dark Ages was appropriate. Comparing these cultures to the glory days of the Roman Empire it is easy to declare that there is a decline in both art and literature. In reality, it was the loss of the centralized language and centralized governments that give that perception. After reading and reviewing the material in the medieval wing I now realize that culture may have changed but it soon recreated itself and began to move forward. There were changes that brought both innovation and creation of new methods. New techniques of working precious metals were created such as repoussé, chasing, cloisonné, and micro-goldsmithing techniques were developed. Important innovations in writing and copying of the illumination of religious materials were elevated to an art form. Charlemagne was very influential in the literature where the monks within his scriptoriums increased the production of manuscripts. Before Charlemagne, there were an estimated 500 manuscripts that have survived. After the Carolingian period, we have over 7,000 manuscripts and the punctuation we use in writing today. The appropriate phrase may not be the “Dark Ages’ but the era of change and reorganization of western culture.

[Bob Hook]

Great concept Jessi. I had not considered the fact if they kept the paintings less humanlike than it is easier to deny that they are actual images of the Gods. What I do find interesting that this occurred throughout the timeframe assigned to this era. Almost a thousand years with very little innovation or change. It seems to me that some citizen would have wanted more than just another icon to enlighten their lives.

[Bob Hook]

There is definitely a change in the subject matter and the style of artists during the Byzantine Era. I am amazed at the focus that was placed on Christian religious Imagery. Gone is the Humanist movement of the Greeks. I did a search for secular Byzantine art and I found very little. There were some Islamic images from late in the period and there were some non-religious scenes carved in elephant ivory panels. The article I found stated that ivory was not used to depict religious scenes and I saw more realistic looking relief carvings that depicted chariot races and celebrations. Gone were the depictions of peasants and everyday life. It was replaced with a flattened stylized depiction of saints and angels with details that were indicative of their holiness.

[Bob Hook]

I think it is very interesting that Byzantine art is mostly religious in nature and contains images of people and saints who were considered very close to their religious figurehead. I understand this and it loosely is in compliance issue of the Second Commandment. However, by the time we get the end of the period we have Andrei Rublev’s, Holy Trinity, 1411-25 CE. These three figures actually represent God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. To me, this represents an image of God in all possible forms, and it may have been worshipped just because it was placed within a church. This seems to be in direct opposition to the Second Commandment. Yet in 1551, the Russian Orthodox Church, “Council of the Hundred Chapters’, declared that this was “the ideal medieval painting of its type and the model for all Orthodox Russian artists.

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