Christian art of the Middle Ages: Byzantine icons, illuminated manuscripts, Romanesque churches and Gothic cathedrals.
c. 400 – 1400Europe and the Byzantine Empire11 key artists
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Overview
What is Medieval & Gothic Art?
c. 400 – 1400Period
Europe and the Byzantine EmpireBegan in
11Key artists on this page
12Works with free images
11Museums to visit
The medieval art of the Western world covers a vast scope of time and place, with over 1000 years of art in Europe, and at certain periods in Western Asia and Northern Africa. It includes major art movements and periods, national and regional art, genres, revivals, the artists' crafts, and the artists themselves. Art historians attempt to classify medieval art into major periods and styles, often with some difficulty. A generally accepted scheme includes the later phases of Early Christian art, Migration Period art, Byzantine art, Insular art, Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque art, and Gothic art, as well as many other periods within these central styles. In addition, each region, mostly during the period in the process of becoming nations or cultures, had its own distinct artistic style, such as Anglo-Saxon art or Viking art.From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original Art Movements text
This is the text that appeared on this page on the original Art Movements site. It is kept for reference; some statements are simplified or out of date. Where it differs from the overview, characteristics and dates above, which are checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata, trust those instead.
Medieval – A highly religious art beginning in the 5th Century in Western Europe. It was characterised by iconographic paintings illustrating scenes from the bible.
Gothic – This style prevailed between the 12th century and the 16th century in Europe. Mainly an architectural movement, Gothic was characterised by its detailed ornamentation most noticeably the pointed archways and elaborate rib vaulting.
First developed in France, Gothic was intended as a solution to the inadequacies of Romanesque architecture. It allowed for cathedrals to be built with thinner walls and it became possible to introduce stained glass windows instead of traditional mosaic decorations. Some of the finest examples of the style include the cathedrals of Chartres, Reims and Amiens. The term was also used to describe sculpture and painting that demonstrated a greater degree of naturalism.
Giotto, Arnolfo di Cambio, Nicola Pisano, Carlo Crivelli
Related
Gothic Art, Renaissance, Ancient & Classical Art
How to recognise it
Key characteristics of Medieval & Gothic Art
Mostly religious subjects made for churches, monasteries and devotion
Flat, symbolic figures and gold backgrounds rather than natural space
Size often shows importance: holy figures are larger than others
Illuminated manuscripts, mosaics, stained glass, metalwork and tapestry were major art forms
Romanesque and then Gothic styles shaped architecture and sculpture
Timeline
When was Medieval & Gothic Art?
Medieval & Gothic Art is usually dated c. 400 – 1400, beginning in Europe and the Byzantine Empire. Dates for art movements are approximate: artists joined and left, and styles overlapped.
Christian art of the Middle Ages: Byzantine icons, illuminated manuscripts, Romanesque churches and Gothic cathedrals.
When was Medieval & Gothic Art?
Medieval & Gothic Art: c. 400 – 1400. It began in Europe and the Byzantine Empire. Dates for art movements are approximate.
What are the main characteristics of Medieval & Gothic Art?
Mostly religious subjects made for churches, monasteries and devotion; Flat, symbolic figures and gold backgrounds rather than natural space; Size often shows importance: holy figures are larger than others; Illuminated manuscripts, mosaics, stained glass, metalwork and tapestry were major art forms; Romanesque and then Gothic styles shaped architecture and sculpture.
Who are the most famous Medieval & Gothic Art artists?
Giotto, Arnolfo di Cambio, Nicola Pisano, Carlo Crivelli, Ferrer Bassa.
What are some famous Medieval & Gothic Art works?
Holy Crown of Hungary; Palazzi Barbaro; Death playing chess by Albertus Pictor; Dormition of the Virgin by El Greco; Flight into Egypt by Giotto.
Where can I see Medieval & Gothic Art art?
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain), Hungarian Parliament Building (Budapest, Hungary), San Marco (Venice, Italy), Täby Church (Sweden), Syros, Agios Nikolaos in Ermoupolis (Greece) hold works shown on this page.
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