Cyrus Francis G.
Gibraltar                             BSMT-1 Overhand Knot
                             Medieval Art
                                                      CHARACTERISTICS
                                    Byzantine art (4th - 15th century CE) is
                                    generally characterized by a move away from
                                    the naturalism of the Classical tradition
                                    towards the more abstract and universal, there
                                    is a definite preference for two-dimensional
            Byzantine Art           representations, and those artworks which
                                    contain a religious message predominate.
                                    Byzantine art preferred stylized imagery to
                                    naturalistic depictions. The aim of their art was
                                    to inspire a sense of wonder and admiration for
                                    the church. In this way, their use of graceful,
                                    floating figures, and golden tesserae
                                    emphasized the otherworldliness of the
                                    religious subjects.
                                    Romanesque art is characterized by a massiveness
                                    of scale, reflecting the greater social stability of the
                                    new Millennium, and the growing confidence of the
                                    Christian Church in Rome, a Church whose
                                    expansionism set in motion the Crusades to free the
                                    Holy Land from the grip of Islam. Later, the success
          Romanesque Art            of the Crusaders and their acquisition of Holy Relics
                                    stimulated further construction of new churches
                                    across Europe in the fully-fledged Romanesque
                                    style of architecture (Norman architecture in Britain
                                    and Ireland). In turn, this building program
                                    produced a huge demand for decorative religious
                                    art, including sculpture, stained glass and
                                    ecclesiastical metalwork of all types. By the 12th
                                    century, certain architects and sculptors had
                                    become highly sought-after by ecclesiastical and
                                    secular patrons
                      Gothic art refers to the style of European
                      architecture, sculpture (and minor arts) which
                      linked medieval Romanesque art with the Early
                      Renaissance. The period is divided into Early Gothic
                      (1150-1250), High Gothic (1250-1375), and
                      International Gothic (1375-1450). Primarily a public
Medieval Gothic Art   form of Christian art, it flourished initially in the Ile
                      de France and surrounding region in the period
                      1150- 1250, and then spread throughout northern
                      Europe. Its main form of expression was
                      architecture exemplified by the great Gothic
                      cathedrals of Northern France. Gothic art style can
                      vary according to location, age, and type of
                      building, it is often characterized by 5 key
                      architectural elements: large stained glass windows,
                      pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and
                      ornate decoration