Art History

About the first few pages of the text (pages 198-200), I am excited to see that the work on Saint Denis was written down. We haven’t seen a lot of that through this art history book. It’s interesting to me to read about how the church looks through another persons eyes, even if this person lived so many years ago. Saint Denis on the Manuscript page from the Life of Saint Denis was depicted bigger than the other characters on the piece of art. This emphasizes his importance. This reminded me of many of the other chapters in the text (the Egyptians and Greeks, if I can remember correctly) and also I noticed gold around the edges, which just goes with the theme of royalty/higher power.

Okay the stained glass windows on pages 202 in the text, 213, and 217 are AMAZING! So beautiful. They remind me of this church I went to once. It was about 10:00 am, and there were these beautiful stained glass windows lining a tall wood paneled wall. The sun came through them so delicately, it was magnificent. Reading about them is interesting to me, because stained class windows are so curious. Being in an empty church with tall ceilings and a sight of stained glass windows is almost whimsical, or I suppose spiritual would be the right world. According to the text, colored glass is formed by mixing metallic oxides with molten glass or fusing colored glass with clear glass. Next, the artist will cut the glass to whatever shapes he is trying to create. Once all of the pieces have been fitted on a piece of wood or paper, details are added in black enamel. To go with what I mentioned earlier, about a church room with stained glass feeling spiritual, the text mentions that Saint Denis reflects Suger’s intention to convey God’s presence through the display of the stained glass with it’s light and color. No wonder!

Towns in Northern France began competing to build cathedrals with the Gothic style. Cathedrals by definition, according to the text, are a seat of the bishop. Kathedra in Greek means ‘seat’ or ‘throne’. And cathedrals were built in more urban areas. This makes sense to me, because if I look out of my window here in Dubuque, I can see a church with a Gothic style steeple. I’ve taken pictures of it before, and it’s in fact my favorite church to photograph through all of my years of living here. The text says (page 204) that cathedrals being urbanized helped the local economy, because cathedral schools and universities were connected, and the thousands of pilgrims and visiting traffic provided great stimulation in the area. 

On page 206, looking at the Perspective Diagram and cross section of the Chartres Cathedral (figure 13.12), I can imagine how patient the workers must have been while building these cathedrals. There are a lot of details put into this work, and it’s not just as simple as making columns, like the Greeks or Romans. This is tough work! The results are so beautiful though (page 207-213). The Tympanum, lintel, and archivolts of the central portal in the Chartres Cathedral made me reflect back on the Romanesque portals on pages 189 and 190 in the text! In fact, the Tympanum in figure 13.15 is extremely similar to the Last Jugement tympanum of west portal, in Sainte-foy, Conques (figure 12.8). They both have Jesus in the center with his right hand up, and lots of symbolism and important people around him.

I want to experience the overwhelming sensation that occurs when entering the Chartres Cathedral! The text says that’s what happens when you look at the nave. It looks so AMAZING! Figure 13.18.

I feel like I’m going to pass out looking at the West facade, Reims Cathedral in France. I’m actually really jealous too, because my mom and brother are going on a trip to France, and this is the kind of stuff they’ll be looking at! The high Gothic style is so rich and elegant looking. The cathedral designs were becoming progressively elongated according to the text (page 212). The arches at Reims are taller and thinner than the ones at Chartres. There are more sculptures in Reims, and they are more naturalistic. The nave on figure 13.14 (in Sainte-Chapelle, Paris), just wow. This High Gothic style is definitely more rich and elegant looking, just like I said! The Sainte-Chapelle was commissioned by King Louis IX.

The Gothic style spread from England to Germany (although in Italy it was short lived, as the Renaissance style was beginning to emerge). The Salisbury Cathedral in England is so gorgeous, just look at that huge tree in the courtyard! (Figure 13.26 on page 219) and those windows in the Vault, chapter house, figure 13.28, again, WOW. We know they did this on purpose to allow for a lot of light, since that is important to have in cathedrals (for Christianity and whatnot). The Cologne Cathedral (13.29 on page 220) is MASSIVE. And the nave (13.31 page 221) is so…awe inspiring? Is that the right word for it? Definitely on my bucket list now, is to travel around the world and see the different churches and cathedrals built. I want to do this so that I can feel that overwhelming awe like the text said, and I can experience the spiritual feelings that their builders intended. 

Roman architecture had such a big influence on Europe! Which I’m glad it did, because it’s beautiful. It really says something about the people of that time, who were so dedicated to making seemingly perfectionist architecture, which has lasted through all these years and continues to inspire to this day. The term Romanesque means “Roman-like”. According to the text on page 184, France is where a lot of this Romanesque art has been created and has survived. 

WOW THE ARCHITECTURE! The details of the Sainte-Foy in France are breath taking. It looks like something European, or more specifically German or Dutch (on pages 186 - 189 in the text) So beautiful! (The scene of the Last Judgement in the Sainte-Foy: WOW! Again, wow.) I would absolutely love to visit this place in person. It’s weird to me how peaceful these churches seem. Is it because of their architecture? Is it the duty of the landscapers and upkeep to maintain a kind of peace and over all look to these churches? Or is it God’s nature that just brings some kind of feeling in these buildings? Examining the architecture of churches in this art history book makes me wonder these things. Can you imagine the view off of the belfry on top of the Sainte-Foy? (p. 186)

Gold is used once again to represent royalty or someone of higher power/standard (page 187 in the text) Reliquary statue of a saint. Just thought I would note that really quick!. Another note really quick, there’s even more gold used on page 192 in the text, with the Stavelot Triptych. 

Something interesting I thought of while reading about the Stavelot Reliquary Triptych is that Constantine became a really big deal. Back when we first read about Constantine in chapter 10, it did not sound like this big ordeal. It seemed fairly simply, that he had a vision and became a Christian. But it seems that religion took it further and focused on it a lot more than it seemingly needed to. This is something similar to what I said about the Venus of Willendorf. Maybe the sculptor who carved it hadn’t really put too much effort into it? Maybe things like these take on a snowball effect and become bigger over the years? And maybe the artwork creates a bigger story?

We know that art always tells a story, especially when it’s a colorful manuscript, like the New Testament initial L and Saint Matthew, figure 12.13 on page 193 in the text. Even the Initial T from the sacramentary of Saint-Saveur de Figeac on page 194 or the Mary and Christ with Two Angels on page 195 have a story to tell. Can I also just make notice that the same coloring seems to be used on these three pieces of art I just mentioned? Blue, red, orange, and green stand out to me the most. The paintings were usually fresco secco, according to the text. (By the way, I just figured out how to italicize my writing and I’m pretty excited about it.)

The early Middle Ages was a very interesting chapter to read about. In school, we are talking about some of the topics mentioned in this chapter such as Islamic beliefs and the the starting of Christianity, so reading this chapter really helped me better comprehend and make ties to what we are learning in my World Cultures class.

Some of the Islamic art that was considered in this chapter included the mosques that were built. The mosques were a place for Muslims could come to pray while facing Mecca, which was the birthplace of Muhammad who founded Islam. Mosques all a sahn (enclosed courtyard), and a qibla (prayer wall). One of the mosques that was constructed in the Middle Ages was The Great Mosque, Córdoba. Córdoba had a unique structure and design. I found it interesting that the columns were not as tall as what may seem from the pictures. They were 9 feet, 9 inches tall. The red and white arches are different from what I had ever seen before. Their is magnificent beauty in both the architecture of the columns and intricately detailed ceilings in this mosque.

The chapter went on to explain that because of invasions of different groups, Islamic influence shown in art lessened and new designs and new artistic and political focuses that is seen from new groups of cultures. Metalwork was more commonly seen in art and one example of this is Sutton Hoo purse cover. When it was found in a ship burial with gold coins inside. So it was inferred it was for royal person since this was a “high-end” product so to speak. The purse is decorated with valuable materials such as gold, cloisonné enamel and red garnets. The geometric designs on the purse cover were also fascinating. The purse cover was also symmetrical which I thought displayed both creativity and time and effort on the part of the Anglo-Saxons.

Another tie that I found in my World Cultures class and what I read here is the discussion about Charlemagne. Charlemagne played a major role in the spreading and enforcing of Christianity. Some of the changes Charelamane made was  that he expanded monostary’s ability to understand Latin. He also wanted to bring back some aspects of past Roman culture. For instance, he based political organizations on ancient Rome. He also created many positive influences such as building libraries, making sure he had laws set out for the people to follow, and encouraging new and improved educational reforms. In Northern European art, Christianity was commonly displayed and we can see this through art in various pieces. Manuscripts were one important way that Christianity was conveyed and spread. One manuscript mentioned in the book that especially caught my eye was Four Evangelists. In this image, there is depicted the 4 men who wrote the four Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Also shown is symbol for each writer. The animals represent how they were viewed likely in their version of the Bible or how others thought of them.

In conclusion, chapter 11 was quite interesting to read about and now I have not only gained more information that I’ll be able to use for this class, but I’ll also information I can carry back with me and use in my classes in school.

Early Christian and Byzantine art are exactly what it sounds like.  Christian religion – a religion that most Americans are familiar with – find its way into the artistic world.  An increase in popularity of Christian religion in the first century A.D. dominated Western art, and it would for centuries to follow.  

Rome served as a hub for Christian-themed art and architecture.  The emperor Constantine became a prominent figure in the popularity of Christianity in Rome, so this time is often referenced to as the “Constantinian period”.  When I think of this period, I imagine the births of marvelous churches and realistic oil paintings of Christ and His many followers.  I also imagine marble statues of strong, religious figures representing things that may have taken place within the Christian religion.  A popular technique in Christian art was to use the Christ figure in series of different expressions and poses to convey different elements of the religion.  

One thing I notice in studying Christian religion is that after it became legal to practice, it flourished like nothing the world has ever seen before.  It was accepted almost everywhere.  Most of Christian and Byzantine art is much like Greek and Roman art in the sense that it depicts religious stories such as tales about “Jonah and the Whale” as well as “John the Baptist”.  

The Justinian and Byzantine style emerged during the fifth century when the western part of the Roman Empire was overrun by Germanic tribes from northern Europe.  The Ostrogoths overtook the Italian city of Ravenna until it was recaptured by Byzantine emperor Justinian in A.D. 540.  Eastern Europe then rose to political and artistic prominence.  The art style during this time was very similar to that of Christian art.  There is a pattern in painting depictions of religious figures and tales in order to communicate the religion.  Also, churches and other architectural points were erected for religious reasons.  In Justinian and Byzantine art, mosaics were very popular.  In this practice, artists would arrange colored pebbles on the floor in order to create images.

The Justinian and Byzantine Empire was situated in most of the land surrounding the Mediterranean, so it is safe to say that this was a popular religion at the time of A.D. 550.  Similar to how the United States has portraits of each president the country has had, the Justinian and Byzantine Empire has had painted portraits of important members of the church such as Saint Peter.  

The Balkan Peninsula was the southernmost peninsula of Europe.  This area included most of Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, continental Greece, Bulgaria, European Turkey, and southeast Romania.  These “states” were all a part of the Ottoman Empire.  There were great differences between religion and races, which created an interesting combination of art styles.  The art styles that derived from the Ottoman Empire relate closely to Ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empire.  

Something I found interesting the first minute I was reading the text, was the similarities with the Etruscans and the Greeks. Greece was a lot of the inspiration for the art, architecture, and social customs in Etruria. Not only that, but we lost a lot of potentially important and well written history, that being, the writings of the Etruscans, which was written from right to left. Hopefully from their artwork, architecture, and buried tombs, we can still decipher just what the Etruscans had to say.

The first pieces of artwork that stand out to me are the Wounded Chimera, and the Capitoline Wolf (p. 118, and 119) Both animals are made out of bronze, and are very characteristic in my opinion. They have elements of looking realistic, but then they kind of look like, how should I put it…Like a cartoon, or maybe an illustration? I question if the artist meant it to be that way. The babies, Romulus and Remus, look very realistic underneath the wolf. Very neat depictions though, I must say. 

About the Etruscan women, I’m glad to hear that they had more freedom than the women in Ancient Greece. They were literate, and women in higher ranks wore elaborate jewelry. What a fancy mirror on page 20 (the Mirror from Volterra)! I can’t imagine having such a delicate piece of artwork to look in, and the text states that only the women used the mirrors. I feel that it defines the culture, once again. The Etruscans seem very civilized, like the Greeks. 

With the last examples of artwork of the Etruscans being tombs and whatnot, it seems the last half of the chapter is focused on that. I think it’s cute how they made the Sarcophagi. The Sarcophagus on page 123 is a very nice, simple piece of artwork, and it depicts culture of the Etruscans once again. 

The Etruscans chose stylistic effects over anatomical accuracy. This is something I had mentioned before. I think this says a lot about the Etruscan culture! The Greeks were so precise and perfectionist, whereas the Etruscans were delicate, and stylistic. I find that fascinating. It leaves me to wonder, were the Etruscans modest about their culture, and simply inspired by the Greeks? Or did they think they were better than the Greeks, having better ideas? As the text says, these people were literate, and they had writings that were very rich and extensive. Not only that, but they had their own language, religions and customs. Something about their artwork and history though, leads me to believe they were modest, and just simply inspired by the Greeks. 

Like many things in life, art is subjective; purely up to one’s own opinion. Some people may see the simplest painting and think “this is extravagant” and others may think “who would pay that much for a plain canvas”. This is one of the many things that makes art so unique. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This saying holds true today just like it did many years ago when Indian art was brought to the West. One culture may see something completely different than another does even though they are looking at the same thing. This is true for more than just art. In article one, “Eastern Art Through Western Eyes”, Holland Cotter writes about how art is all based off the artists influence. It also touches on how some kinds of art were excepted in the West right away while others faced a more difficult time. Cotter also mentions some similarities and differences between the two art styles such as religious incompatibilities and a perceived lack of glamor. Cotter mentions the scares interest in Indian art. This year at the art world academia, there was only one booth devoted to displaying Indian Art. I was unaware of this and find it saddening. He mentions the possibility that no universities will offer this as a graduate course in the future. This doesn’t only impact the people living now, but also people to come. This is a significant portion of art history that might not be carried on because it’s be shaded out by the “superior” Western art period. This has a great impact over universities, museums, and just people in general because nobody will be there to tell the stories of this style of art or to show the art. As an art lover, history buff, and most importantly human, I find it important to not let this art history dissolve and disappear. I think that it is important to look deeper into what we see in museums and not only one of the many kinds of art.  Personally, I do not think I am able to change the course history appears to be taking, but I truly hope this art is preserved. I plan on doing what I can to not only change how I see art, but how others do as well.

Chapter six discusses three different cultures that flourished over the time 3000-1100 B.C.; Cycladic, Minoan, and Mycenaean but mainly focusses on the Aegean Culture. This chapter also covers Cycladic and Minoan Civilizations. During this time of Cycladic Civilization, many female figures were made. These are assumed to be carried around based upon their size and their inability to stand alone. These figures were composed of geometric shapes and different portions.

Chapter 5 was a very interesting chapter in my opinion. I was familiar with a lot of the information throughout this chapter. I like seeing these great pieces of architecture such as: temples, sculptures, mummification, pyramids, etc. It’s all so amazing how they are designed perfectly, and how they all look beautiful. Pyramids are a popular piece of architecture that many people can identify but don’t necessarily know the meaning of them. “The most monumental architectural expression of the Egyptian pharaoh’s power was the pyramid, his burial place and zone of passage into the afterlife” (pg. 53). Pyramids were a resting place for the king’s body, and there was also built in burial chambers within the pyramids. 

I really enjoyed learning about the temples and sculptures. The sculptures look as if it would have taken years to finally finish. There was over life sized statues of kings and other monumental figures. I read that the artists start with a block of stone and chip away very precisely to create these magnificent sculptures. Those artists truly have an incredible talent. To be able to create something so majestic out of stone is amazing. Temples are also something that I find unique about Ancient Egypt. To me, temples are similar to chapels or some place to relax and talk to God. The temples symbolized both earthly and celestial figures. The thing that I really liked about the temples is just simply how they look. They are built so perfectly, and to me it symbolizes power and excellence. They just look like a king, or god of some sort should be living there. They are similar to the white house or a big beautiful church. I feel like they are similar to those because there is a sense of power held within those 2 buildings I listed above. Obviously in the white house, the president is the decision maker for our country. In churches, the priest makes me feel so close to God, the most powerful icon in the world.