Art History Exam Notes

Art History

Islamic Art and the Art of the Ottomans (Divine Decoration)

Islam: “Submission to God’s Will” Muhammed: “Messenger of God” Qur’an: “Recitations” Muslims: “Those who have submitted to God”

The Dome of the Rock (691) Jerusalem, Recognized by Jews and Christians Jews: Temple of Solomon, site where Adam was created Christians: Jesus chased out the money-lenders Built in shape of Martyrium Holy place, that of martyrdom Inside is all geometric patterns, clerestory windows Blue color represents sky, heavens Some sections of wall have motifs, others windows Holy script goes around circumference (Islamic) Aniconic: Shunning or avoidance of divine imagery Used in reference to Islamic art Double-timbered Dome

The Great Mosque (836-875) Kairouan, Tunisia Massive atrium where people gather, Colonnades surrounding atrium 9 entrances (main gate entrance for non-muslims)

The Great Mosque of Samarra (848-852) Samarra, Iraq Largest mosque in world in its day 52 meters tall, 32 meters wide example of loss of historical artifacts because of warfare floral and geometric patterning
Walls have motifs, blue glass adorns interior

Mezquita (961-965) “Cathedral of Cordoba” Cordoba, Spain Built where Roman temple was originally located Built as a mosque by muslims Converted to Catholic Church during crusades (under King Ferdinand) Jasper, onyx, marble and granite building materials Double archways within mosque are of a horseshoe variety Atrium area, entered mosque through this area Built in a cruciform style Mihrab faces to East, sun rises from east “Prayer Hall of the Mezquita” light filters down through windows walls are paneled with mosaics and blue glass in sections Rows of arches “East Gate” exotic archways above doorway and windows

Prayer Rugs Aniconism (avoidance of figural imagery) Oriental rugs are hand woven, 400knots per square inch Rugs are positioned pointing towards Mecca

Koran Page Kufic script Gold leaf, floral pattern decorate the pages (made to represent glory of God) Koran: 114 chapters

The Ottomans (1218-1918) Turks – members of the ethno-linguistic group of peoples from central Asia (Tartars, Turkmen, and Mamluks were other groups) Ottoman Empire: Early (1288-1453) High (1453-1699) Late (1699-1918) decline of empire

Alhambra (1333-1353) Fountains throughout, trenches feed water throughout Lace-like walls adorn the interior

Medieval Period

Sutton Hoo Ship (625) Suffolk, England Mounds were excavated to reveal burial pits with ancient artifacts Norseman (Vikings) were buried in ships, body had decayed (Helmet: iron, brass copper) The long ships are relatively flat and exceptionally long Lightweight, easily maneuverable Elaborate zoomorphic designs present “Purse Cover” (625) made of metal and stone With garnet and lapis 37 gold coins found purse buckle found – zoomorphic designs, celtic knots Book of Durrow (660-680) British Isles One of most famous examples of illuminated manuscripts Carpet page: simple illustration of human figure Very elaborate page décor: celtic knots, zoomorphic images

Carolingian Art 732-900 AD Charlemagne began the Carolingian Renaissance Desired to spread Christianity, knowledge Move toward more naturalistic imagery

Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne (792-805) Aachen 16 sided ambulatory Altar is square not round Honored to Virgin Mary Originally flanked by 2 basilicas (destroyed) Reminiscent of the San Vitale in Italy Dome is reflective of late roman architecture Extensive use of mosaics, gold Architect: Odo of Metz Inscription in Dome credits design to him Various architectural styles present bc of renovations over time

Animal-Head Post (825) Oseberg, Norway Found on Oseberg ship (built 825) Elaborate carvings throughout Very sleek design, fast travel Oseberg style: zoomorphic imagery, celtic knots Best preserved of all Viking ships Celtic knot imagery dominated periphery of ship Carved out of wood This burial site contained 2 female skeletons (burial site from 834)

Lindisfarne Gospels (8th Century)
Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and john Work of Edfirth – Bishop of Lindisfarne Produced in honor of St. Cuthbert Extremely elaborate décor on pages Pigment samplings reveal foreign substances Insular script Instituted in Latin Cover originally made of leather, adorned with gold and silver jewelry Pages contain cairos with floral imagery throughout “Chi-Rho-Iota (XPI) Page” (790-810) Book of Kells – 4 separate parts Scotland Most famous script imagery example Zoomorphic imagery with celtic knots Figures are angels with wings coming out from either side Inks and colors imported, ink is made from iron gaul

Bishop Bernward’s Door of St. Michaels at Hildesheim (1015) Hildesheim, Germany Portrays Adam and Eve being expelled from Heaven Sticklike in appearance, not very detailed God was portrayed as very judgmental in art during the time period Made from cast bronze

Doomsday Book (1086) Commissioned by William the Conquer (“the Bastard”) Contained records of settlements in English countryside near Scottish Border Wanted info to levy taxes accordingly based on amount of property Owned

Monasticsim: fully devote life to Christian religion Give up worldly/material possessions

Origin of the First Crusade (March-November 1095) Created Kingdom of Jerusalem

Feudalism: characterized by Lords, Vassals and Feefs Chivalry: moral, religious, and social code held by knights

Pilgrimage Route: leads to coast of Spain (Santiago di Compostela)

Romanesque Architecture: Harmonious proportions Stone barrel vault or groin vault Thick and heavy walls/columns Small windows Rounded arches Decoration inside and outside Nave with side aisles A Transept: makes church into cross shape

Saint-Sernin (1070-1120) France Mostly brick Vaulted ceilings Cruciform shape Radiating chapels present Contained holy relics Ambulatory Designed in the Pilgrimage Plan Bell Tower Directly above crossing square of the church Apse (Chevet): first section to be constructed North and South entrance ways

Portal of St. Pierre (1115-1135) France Known for its cloisters (enclosure) and portal sculptures Cloister: known for its historiated columns (tell history of the church) “Tympanum of St. Pierre” Depicts Christ standing above seated people Making offerings, playing music Not highly detailed sculptures of the men Either side of Portal has medium relief carvings depicting numerous stories From the Bible Depict “Avarice” and “Lust”

St. Lazare (1120-1135) France, “Autun Cathedral” Hold relics of Lazarus (brother of mary magdelene) Cathedral initiated in Romanesque but finished during Gothic time period “Tympanum” - is known for portrayal of last judgment Christ positioned in a mandorla, outstretched to either side (choice is Yours) Small figures below Christ are playing instruments, or depicted with Arms crossed over chest Right side depicts figures who are trying to be saved (St. Michael vs. Devil) All saints are facing Christ except for St. Peter Tympanum is signed by artist (first signature on sculpture since
Anicient times). (Gislebertis) Above Tympanum is a circular vine, above that are astrological signs with Images of what takes place during agricultural season relating to Particular astrological signs in the sky

“Windows”: referred to as a buildings “Fenestration”

Canterbury Cathedral Important pilgrimage site Contained remains of Sir Thomas Beckett

[Absent 11/22]

Romanesque Art, Pt. 2 (11th-12th Centuries)

Bronze Doors, Augsburg Cathedral (1065) Depicts a serpent with Aaron (Moses’ brother), New Testament

Pisa Cathedral Complex (1063-1174) Main center of medieval art in the world Parts: Cathedral 3 door entrances (known for cast bronze doors) WEST end Apse: few windows, horizontal bands to tell church levels EAST end 16,000 tons of marble Duomo: Rounded archways, Campanile: “bell tower” Campo Santo: “burial grounds” Roman sarcophagi below ground Baptistery Roofline had ceramic tile covering originally Octagonal structure Dante, de Medici family baptized here Galileo used leaning tower to discover theory of isochronisms Heavy walls, small window openings, rounded tops (all Romanesque traits) “Leaning Tower of Pisa” 183ft on low side, 186 on high side (sunken approx. 5ft) 296 steps, 7 stories tall colonnade that goes around periphery bell tower at the top from 5.5 to 3.9 degrees of lean Baptistry of San Giovanni (1059) Florence, Italy Octagonal design Interior is filled with mosaics Dome: Christ positioned as giving blessing Golden tiles depict other biblical scenes

“Green Man”: male figure sculpture on exterior of church, bring good fortune

“Bayeux Tapestry” (1170-1180) Bayeux Cathedral, France depicts events leading up to Battle of Hastings, Latin commentary on each scene 202 horses, 2000 Latin words, limited palette of color, 623 humans NOT a tapestry BUT Embroidery 240ft long Originally hung at Notre Dame Cathedral?

Gothic Architecture (1140-1453) Ribbed vaults Pointed arches Stained-glass windows Flying buttresses Representative examples Laon Cathedral (98ft) Notre Dame Cathedral (112ft) Chartres Cathedral (122ft) Reims Cathedral (125ft) Amiens Cathedral (144ft) “144” number associated with hea