Medieval Art History - Ancient Art Forms of The Middle Ages

Styles of art of the medieval period (Middle Ages) were highly influenced by architecture, possibly due to the great architectural advancement and development of the people at the time.

Décor and architecture showed the avid expression of the religious faith at a time when political order was almost non existent, and every man or woman had no hope, and little to live for, except the hope of happiness and peace in heaven.

Craftsmen and artisans of the lesser arts were greatly influenced by architecture, so much so that medieval architectural forms and features were replicated, copied and applied to anything and everything they created or produced.

This explains why every form of art, craftworks or buildings had their structural forms and features influenced by architecture.

The artists and craftsmen of the medieval period, which included carpenters, weavers, wood carvers, sculptors, metal workers, painters etc., used the ornamental and structural forms of architecture, with each group applying them to their own specific craft.

During this period, art existed in the architecture and construction of churches, while homes and other types of secular building were given less attention until towards the end of the era.

And because religion was the mainstay of life and its practice dominated Europe, it goes to tell why the history of art of the Middle Ages tells us the social, political and historical events that were responsible for the notable movement in the building of church cathedrals and eclectic structures that were erected in practically every town and city of the region.

Medieval arts are split into four main divisions, namely:

• The Byzantine period
• Early Christian period
• Romanesque and Norman period
• Gothic period

Byzantine styles of art (330 -1453) were developed in Constantinople (capital of the Eastern Roman Empire), and was characterised by a sort of combination of Roman and Oriental arts, with dome ceilings being typical features. The iconoclastic movement absolutely forbade the use of human or animal forms in their art.

History tells us that these forms were regarded by the Byzantine as idolatry and 'graven images', which was frowned upon in the Ten Commandments. Churches were brilliant and grandiose, with each and every one reflecting the wealth and intellectual level of their designers/builders.

Early Christian art forms(330 - 880) were developed, to some extent, in countries bordering the eastern Mediterranean region, but primarily in central Italy. The churches were constructed with stones which were found in the ruins of pagan temples.

The Early Christian art forms developed after the people of the Roman Empire officially adopted Christianity, and had features which included flat ceilings, semicircular arched forms, elaborately panelled flat wood ceilings and straight high walls with small window openings at the topmost parts of their structures. There were rich and elaborate interior furnishings which include mosaics on the walls, paintings and marble incrustations.

Romanesque and Norman medieval art (800 - 1150) styles were developed in France and other Western regions, and were characterised by simple structural forms. Window and door openings were built with semicircular arched top sections.

The term 'Romanesque art' refers to the medieval styles of art that was greatly influenced by Italy and Southern France. This same style was taken to the shores of England by William the Conqueror where it became known as Norman art, and continued until it evolved into the Gothic forms of the 12th century.

Building were huge and strong, almost forbidding in appearance but with simple surface enrichments showcasing the simplistic ways of life of the planners, who were monks whose designs were interpretations of their own concepts of Roman architecture.

Gothic art styles (1150 -1500) were conventional and idealistic, and have their origins in France, and over time, gradually spread into the entire European region.

Their styles of art was an offshoot of Romanesque art, and the architectural designs featured large windows, pointed arches, slender columns, stained glass, and furniture designs borrowed from their architectural structures.

Building construction was constantly geared towards height and lightness, to the extent that at times, over ornamentation and delicate structural forms made their structures collapse. Structural collapse was usually imminent because their construction methods never followed scientific principles, but was rather done by mere 'rule of thumb', so when the building collapse before completion, they were then rebuilt with stronger and sturdier supports.

The church cathedrals built by the people and not the clergy served other purposes and filled the requirements of their daily needs. Schools, libraries, museums, picture galleries, etc. were kind of incorporated within these structures, thus making the cathedrals the centre of town life.

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