Early Medieval Art Syllabus

Set book:
J Snyder, Medieval Art, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and Harry Abrams Inc, New York, 1989

On reserve:
J Beckwith, Early Christian and Byzantine Art, The Pelican History of Art, Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, England, 1979

D Wilson, Anglo-Saxon Art, Thames and Hudson Ltd, London, 1984


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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

1. Course materials etc

SECTION I: The Early Christian Period

The Hope of Salvation
2. (Snyder 1-26; Beckwith 21-22)

Roman Houses; Domus Ecclesiae; Shrine of St Peter, Rome, late C2; Jonah and the Whale, statuette, C3; Good Shepherd, statuette, C3; Sarcophagus with story of Jonah, Rome, late C3; Projecta Casket, Rome, late C4; Catacomb of Sts Peter and Marcellinus, Rome, C4 (Good Shepherd and Jonah, Adam and Eve frescoes)

Salvation: Constantine and the Early Christian Basilica
3. (Snyder 27-39; also 66-78 for information)

Old St Peter's, Rome, c.324-40; S Paolo fuori le mure, Rome, 385 , S Lorenzo fuori le mure, Rome, c.330; Sta Costanza (mausoleum), Rome, c.350; Lateran Baptistery, Rome, c.315 and c.423-40

Early Christian Italian Reliefs
4. (Snyder 90-96; Beckwith 20-21; reminder, compare units 1 and 2)

Brescia Casket, c. 360-70; Maries at Sepulcher panel, Rome, late C4; Maries and Ascension panel, Rome, late C4/early C5; British Museum Passion Casket, c.420; Wooden Doors, Sta Sabina, Milan, 422-32; Miracles of Christ diptych, Rome, c.475-c.500; Agnus Dei book cover, Milan Cathedral, late C5

Early Christian Illustrated Books and Picture Cycles
5. (Snyder 79-90)

Vatican Vergil, C5; Iliad Ambrosiana, C5; Vienna Dioscurides, 512; St Augustine Gospels, c.600

Early Christian Church Decoration: Rome
6. (Snyder 40-65; reminder, Doors: Sta Sabina, Milan, 422-32, unit 4)

Apse Mosaics: Old St Peter's (reconstruction, C4?); Sta Pudenziana, c.400
Triumphal Arches: Sta Maria Maggiore, c.432-40; S Paolo fuori le mure, c.450; Sts Cosmas and Damian, c.526-30
Naves: Old St Peter's (reconstruction, C4?), Sta Maria Maggiore, C5

7. DISCUSSION #1
If Early Christian art is neither illusionistic nor logically narrative, how did the artists seek to get its message across? What are the main outlines of that message and how does it relate to the historical context? Illustrate your answer by analyzing one main church and its decoration (complete the analysis with reference to others) and one independent work.


SECTION II: The Early Byzantine Period (C6 - C9)

Constantinople under Justinian (527-565)
8. (Snyder 101-105; reminder, compare and contrast unit 3 and its extra reading)

Imperial Chapels: Hagia Sophia, 532-527; Sts Sergius and Bacchus, by 536

Early Byzantine Illustrated Books and Picture Cycles
9a. (Snyder 83-87; reminder, compare unit 5)

Vienna Genesis, mid C6; Rossano Gospels, mid C6

Ivories from Constantinople
9b. (Snyder 103-106; 95-96; Beckwith 35-37; reminder, compare unit 4)

Consular Diptych of Anastasius, 517; St Michael Plaque, early C6; Ariadne Panel, early C6; Barberini Diptych, mid C6; Throne of Maximian, for archbishop of Ravenna, c.547, Adoration Plaque, Coptic, C6

Churches in Ravenna

10. (Snyder 111-115; reminder compare units 3 and 8)

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, c.425-50; Orthodox Baptistery, 450-60; Arian Baptistery, c.500
For many of these: Hallsall's images for Ravenna

11. (Snyder 115-125; reminder compare units 3, 8 and 9)

S Apollinare Nuovo, c.500; S Vitale, 546-48; S Apollinare in Classe, c.549

A New Importance for the Virgin
12. (no reading, but you should have seen these objects in your reading to-date)

Virgin and Child, Catacomb of Commodilla, Rome, c.528; Virgin and Child, Sta Maria Antiqua, Rome, C6-C7; Virgin and Child, apse mosaic, Sta Maria Nova, Rome, redone in C12; Enthroned Virgin and Majesty diptych, Constantinople, mid C6; Virgin and Child, apse mosaic, Euphrasian basilica, Pore , c.550

Icons and Iconoclasm
13. (Snyder 126-129; Beckwith 37-42)

Transfiguration, apse mosaic, St Catherine, Mt Sinai, Egypt, c.550-65;
St Peter with instruments of the Passion, icon from Constantinople at St Catherine, Mt Sinai, C6 or early C7; Enthroned Virgin with Saints, icon, St Catherine, Mt Sinai, early C7; Virgin Hodegetria, icon, S Maria Nova, Rome, c.640; Christ Pantocrator, icon, St Catherine, Mt Sinai, c.700; Crowned Virgin, icon, Sta Maria in Trastevere, Rome, 705-707

14. DISCUSSION #2
Which aspect of the human mind did Early Byzantine artists and architects seek to "hook"? How did they do this, and how might this have affected the issue of Iconoclasm? Illustrate your answer by analyzing one church and its decoration, and by analyzing a surviving icon which might have been particularly inflammatory.


SECTION III: Early Medieval Europe

A: Early Insular Art

For interest Old English Pages: Art and Artifacts - 6th to 11th century mix. Check it out.

The Kings of Northumbria, new converts: what they inherited
15. (Wilson 9-27; reminder, compare and contrast Constantine's inheritance, unit 2)

The Sutton Hoo ship burial, East Anglia, c.625: note especially the great gold buckle, the purse-lid, the clasps (sort of), the hanging bowls.

Northumbria turns to Iona
Kings of Northumbria: Oswald 634-642; Oswy 642-673; Ecfrith 673-685
6. (Snyder 175-184; Wilson 29-38)

Cathach of St Columba (a psalter), Iona?, c.600; Durham Gospels A.II.10, Lindisfarne, c.650; Book of Durrow, Ireland, Iona or Northumbria, c.625-64?; Durham Gospels A.II.17, Lindisfarne, by 664?

Consolidation of Insular Art: Iona and Ireland after Whitby (664)
17. (Snyder 185-189; Wilson 120-130)

Ardagh chalice, Ireland, c.700-750; Tara brooch, Ireland, c.700-750; Large Rogart brooch, Scotland, c.750; St Ninian's Isle brooches, Scotland, c.750-800
Book of Kells, Iona or Ireland, c.750-800
Ahenny South Cross, Ireland, c.775-800; Kildalton Cross, Islay, Argyllshire, Scotland, c.800

Northumbria and Southern England turn to Rome
Kings of Northumbria: Aldfrith 685-704; Osred 705-716; Ceolwulf 729-737; Eadberht 737-758
18. (Snyder 184-186; Wilson 36-49; 72-79; reminder, compare unit 5 and Snyder 20-29)

Northumbria and the North: Codex Amiatinus, Monkwearmouth-Jarrow, c.700; Ruthwell Cross, c.730-750 and its associates
Lindisfarne: Lindisfarne Gospels, Northumbria, 698
Southern England: Stockholm Codex Aureus, c.775, Vespasian Psalter, c.775

B: Early Carolingian Art

Charlemagne, King of the Franks, a new convert: what he inherited
Charlemagne King of the Franks 768
19. (Repeat Snyder 175-181; also read 188-189; 203-204; Wilson 135-38; reminder, compare units 2 and 15)

Gelasian Sacramentary, Frankish, c.750; Tassilo Chalice, Frankish, Lombardic or Insular?, 788; Lindau Gospels back cover, Frankish, Lombardic or Insular?, c.800; St Denis (royal mausoleum), nr Paris, c.754-775; Fulda, 971-819; Frescoes, S Benedetto, Malles, c.790; Frescoes, St John, Müstair, Switzerland, c.800

Charlemagne, King of the Franks, turns to Rome
Charlemagne King of the Franks 768
20. (Snyder 192-206; reminder, compare units 4, 15 and 18)

Early Court/Ada School: Godescalc Evangelistary, 781-83; Dagulf Psalter; before 795; Lindau Gospels, c.800
Ivory: Dagulf Psalter covers, before 795; Bodleian book cover, c.800
Architecture: Aachen Palace Chapel, c.786-c.800, doors c.800, consec 805; St Riquier, Centula, 790-799; Torhalle, Lorsch, c.800

Charlemagne, Holy Roman Emperor, turns to Byzantium
Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor 800-814
21. (Snyder 202-3; 206-8; reminder, compare units 9, 10 and 11)

Late Court/Ada School: Soissons Gospels, Ada Gospels, Lorsch Gospels, all c.800
Ivory: Lorsch Gospels covers, c.810
Architecture: Theodulf's Oratory, Germigny-des-Près, consec 806
Palace School: Coronation Gospels, c.800; Aachen Gospels, c.800

22. DISCUSSION #3
When a king seeks to impose a new religion on his people, how does he make this visible? And when he seeks to make new alliances, how does he make this visible too? Compare Oswald and his successors with Charlemagne, illustrating your answer with an analysis of two books each and one building or monumental sculpture each.

C: Later Carolingian Art

The Empire Divided
Louis the Pious, Holy Roman Emperor 817-40 had three sons

(a)
Lothar I, territory in Lotharingia, Co-Emperor 817-40, Emperor 843-55, succeeded by Lothar II 855-69

(b)
Louis the German, territory in "Germany", King 843, Emperor 855-76 (no issue)

(c)
Charles the Bald, territory in "France", King 843, Emperor 876-77, succeeded by Charles the Fat 877-887; succeeded by Charles the Simple; last of the line was Louis of Outremer

Louis the Pious, Holy Roman Emperor 814-840
Ebbo, foster brother of Louis, Archbishop of Reims 816-835; 840-845
23. (Snyder 208-219; reminder, compare units 2, 19 and 20)

Architecture: Corvey, consec 822; St Gall, designed 816
Painting at Reims: Ebbo Gospels, 816-845 (pre 835?), Utrecht Psalter, c.835?
Ivory at Reims: Psalter of Charles the Bald covers, c.830?; Prayer book of Charles the Bald covers, c.830?

Lothar I, Co-Emperor 817-840; Holy Roman Emperor 840-855
Drogo, half-brother of Louis the Pious, Bishop of Metz 823-44, Archbishop 844-55
24a. (Snyder 223-224)

Painting, Metz court scriptorium: Drogo Sacramentary, 823-55
Ivory, court school at Metz: Drogo Sacramentary covers, c.840-45

Charles the Bald, King of "France" 843
Adalhard, father-in-law to Louis the Pious, Abbot of Tours 834-44, Abbot of Trier 844-79
24b. (Snyder 219-223; reminder, compare units 5, 18 and 23)

Painting, Tours and Trier scriptoria: Grandval Bible, Tours, c.840, Vivian Bible, Tours 843-846; Lothar Gospels, Trier 844-51

Charles the Bald, King of "France" 843-77, acquired half Lotharingia 869, Emperor 875-7
25. Snyder 222-3; 225-9; compare units 5, 16, 17, 18 and 24a)

Painting, Franco-Saxon school: Second Bible of Charles the Bald, 871-73
Painting, Court school of Charles the Bald: Coronation Sacramentary of Charles the Bald, Metz, c.870; Codex Aureus of St Emmeram, c.870; Bible of S Paolo fuori le mure, c.870
Metalwork, Court school of Charles the Bald: Codex Aureus of St Emmeram top cover, c.870; Lindau Gospels front cover, c.870; Altar frontal, St Denis, c.870 (destroyed)
Ivory: Crucifixion panel, possibly from back cover of Codex Aureus of St Emmeram, c.870

D: Later Insular Art

Viking Kings of York and Dublin: What they inherited
26. (Xerox on reserve)

Steinsvik Sword, C8; Borre and Gokstad mounts, C9; Rinkaby brooch, C9; Nonnebakken brooch, C9; Jellinge Cup, C10; Mammen horse collars, C10

Viking Dublin and York
27. (Wilson 141-152; 95-96; compare and contrast units 15, 17 and 18)

York and Yorkshire: Middleton Cross, Yorkshire; Coppergate grave slab, York; Gosforth Cross, Cumberland; Brompton hogback gravestones - all late C9/C10; Coppergate scabbard chape, York; Goldsborough brooches, Yorkshire, c.920
Ireland: Ballyspellan brooch, C10; Roscommon brooch, C10; Ardagh thistle brooch, C10
Ambiguous work in England: Pentney brooches, c.800-35; Aethelwulf ring, 839-58; Aethelswith ring, 853-74; Trewhiddle hoard, Cornwall, c.872-5; Silver casket plates, Yorkshire?, late C9/C10; Alfred Jewel, 871-899?

For interest: Viking Age Silver Hoards in Ireland; Modern replicas of Viking jewellery; Bone and Antler work Regia Anglorum - an interactive site on Anglo-Saxon and Viking England

Non-Viking Ireland and England
28. (Wilson 152-74; Ireland compare units 16, 17 and 18; England compare units 24b and 25)

Ireland: Book of Armagh, 807-8; Book of MacDurnan, by 888-927
Muiredach's Cross, Monsterboice, 837-46 or 891-924; Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnoise, 879-916
Winchester, England: St Cuthbert's Stole, c.909-916; Bede's Life of Cuthbert, by c.934; St Dunstan's Class book, Glastonbury?, pre 956; New Minster Charter, 966; Benedictional of St Aethelwold, 975-80; Harley Psalter, c.980; Victoria and Albert pectoral cross, a conundrum.

29. DISCUSSION #4
Today, books are mundane repositories of information. But it was not always like that. Highlight the Early Christian, Insular, Early and Late Carolingian attitudes to book design using specific examples. Which culture comes closest to our modern attitude, and can you suggest any reasons for this?


SECTION IV: Middle Byzantine Art (C9-C13)

The Macedonian Renaissance, or Second Golden Age
30. (Snyder end 128-133; Beckwith end 85-91; compare Ada school, unit 21)

Standing Virgin, apse mosaic, Church of the Dormition, Nicea, C9; Dominion and Might, vault mosaic, Church of the Dormition, Nicea, C9; Enthroned Virgin, apse mosaic, Hagia Sophia, Constantinople, by 867; Leo VI kneeling before Christ, tympanum mosaic of imperial entrance, Hagia Sophia, late C9; enthroned Virgin with Emperors, tympanum mosaic of narthex door, Hagia Sophia, late C10

Imperial Scriptoria
31. (Snyder 135-47; compare Ada school, unit 21)

Homilies of Gregory of Nazianzus, for Basil I, Constantinople, 880-882; Paris Psalter, Constantinople?, early C10; Joshua Roll, C10; Menologion of Basil II, 976-1025

C11 Byzantine Churches
32. (Snyder 147-56)

Hosios Lukas, Greece, c.1020; Church of the Dormition, Daphni, c.1080-1100

33. DISCUSSION#5
During Iconoclasm, artistic traditions in the Byzantine Empire foundered and many artists sought work in the west (remember Demetrius whose name appears in Charlemagne's Coronation Gospels). When images were again tolerated in the East, the style was quite different. Using at least FOUR examples, suggest sources for the Middle Byzantine style.


SECTION V: The Early Ottonians and the approach of the Romanesque

The Ottonians turn to Charlemagne, then to Rome
Otto I King of "Germany" 936; Holy Roman Emperor 962-73; Otto II Co-Emperor 967, sole Emperor 973-83; widow Theophanu Empress 973-983, regent 983-991
34. (Snyder 234-47; compare Ada school, unit 21 and Early Byzantine painting unit 91 )

Architecture: St Cyriakus, Gernrode, 961; Holy Trinity, Essen, 973
Painting at Lorsch, Ebernant Group: Petershausen Sacramentary, c.950-70; Sacristan Gero Codex, c.975
Painting at Fulda: Codex Wittikundeus, c.975-99
Painting at Trier: Codex Egberti, c.980; Registrum Gregorii, c.938; St Chapelle Gospels, 983

Something New: Sculpture (the approach of the Romanesque)
Archbishop Gero of Cologne, 969-976
Abbess Mathilde of Essen, 973-1011
Archbishop Etienne II of Clermont, 937-984
35. (Snyder, 245-47)

Crucifixes: St Servatius crucifix reliquary pendant, Trier, 977-993?; Archbishop Gero Crucifix, Cologne, 969-71
Enthroned Virgins: Clermont Virgin, 946-84?; Essen Virgin, 973-82?; or 973-1011
Enthroned Saints: Ste Foie, Conques, c.1000


FINAL DISCUSSION (Final Exam)

The Second Commandment should pose a very real block to the development of figurative art in a Christian context. Survey the whole series of approaches traced in this course, and say why do you think iconoclasm did not happen in the west. Illustrate your points with specific examples. After iconoclasm, a new style was adopted in the east which became more pronounced as the centuries passed and is still in use today. How would you account for this?


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