Example of English Medieval Artthe expressive or application of human creative skill and imagination in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, or in music, literature, or dance; art is created primarily for beauty and emotional power; and "holds art is anything the viewer or listener finds aesthetically pleasing."
Medieval art is a period that spanned many artistic styles and periods. Paintings often depicted Christian subjects and themes. It mirrored the cultureculture is not genetically inherited, it is shared, learned, and dynamic- never static of the times, reflecting social and religious values with stories and art forms that influenced everyday lives. They were intended to glorify God and naturethe phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans and or human creations. We are stunned by medieval art with bright colors and elaborate patterns and decorations. The art of medieval times used precious metals, gems, and other luxurious materials, but egg tempera was the most popular painting medium.
Egg tempera sounds interesting. What kind of painting medium is that? It is a technique that uses egg yolk as a binder to mix powdered pigments into a paint. Egg tempera is applied in layers with small strokes. Is this medium still used today? The answer is yes, but not often.
The most notable American artists who have used egg tempera are Andrew Wyeth, Paul Cadmus, Thomas Hart Benton, and Robert Vickery. There is a contemporary revival to bring back the medium of egg tempera. Some artists who are leading that charge are Julio Reyes, Candice Bohannon, and Koo Schadler. Check these artists out online.
The evolutionthe gradual development of something from a simple to a more complex form; in nature the process by which different organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms during the history of the earth; Darwin's theory of natural selection seeks to explain the process of evolution of all organisms of art is a fascinating journey through history, culture, and human expressions over a long period. There are many genres of medieval art, but the two most noted are Byzantine Art and Gothic Art.
Byzantine Art
Byzantine art, named for the Byzantine Empirea very large political unit extending across many boundaries and dominated by one central power, which generally takes control of the economy, government, and culture throughout its territory, primarily portrays religious themes, especially depictions of the Bible and Christian scripture. The Byzantine Empire was located in the Eastern Mediterranean region, comprising modern-day Turkey, Greece, and parts of the Balkans. The capital city was Constantinople (now Istanbul). The early Byzantine period spans from the founding of Constantinople in 330 to the iconoclastic Controversy in the eighth and ninth centuries. Its land mass was the eastern half of the previous Roman Empire.
The art of the period had a strong focus on imagery portraying devotion to important figures like Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The many Saints were highly stylized to convey their spiritual presence rather than their everyday physical features. In other words, art was considered a visual expression of Orthodox Christian theology. The religious expression in Byzantine art was carefully controlled by church authorities. It had to maintain correct theology while exhibiting artistic expression. Byzantine art is filled with spiritual symbolism. Earthly artistic expressions were meant to stand in for a heavenly order.
Painting, at smarthistory.org: “Icon with Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George. Preserved in a desert monastery, this wax-on-wood icon leads the viewer upward and inward to the spiritual realm.” An example of Byzantine Art.
Gothic Art
Gothic art entails the rise of cathedrals, stained glass, and the significance of light and space, all in the context of spirituality. The medieval art style originated in France from the 12th to the 16th century. It is identified by its pointed arches, flying buttresses, and stained-glass windows.
One of the oldest and most famous Gothic churches in France is Notre Dame de Paris. I was fortunate to go there and see it before the tragic fire of April 15, 2019. Once you have seen such a marvelous structure, whether French or Catholic, it is heartbreaking and astonishing to watch such happenings on TV. The fire destroyed the spire and the roof and caused extensive damage to the cathedral’s interior. There are plenty of sites on the internet that feature both the fire and the re-opening on December 7, 2024. Thankfully, it has been restored to its original beauty.
Notre Dame de Paris, showing the classic pointed arches. (Personal Photo)
Notre Dame de Paris with pointed spires and flying buttresses. (Personal Photo)
Interior of Notre Dame de Paris,
Peering through the stained glass windows. (Personal Photo)