What types of art were there in Medieval Europe?

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What Medieval art is still around today?

       The medieval style of art is still around today for example the Cathedral of Notre Dame is still standing and is one of the biggest and most popular pieces of medieval architecture; however it was built in the 12th century and had been threatened to be torn down. This beautiful cathedral is also located in the "City of Lights" or Paris. When the form of Gothic art swept around the world, the title was invented as an insult to the art but, instead replaced the Romanesque art almost completely! Also while the Notre Dame Cathedral stands tall and proud, while attracting so many tourist from round the world; there are still many medieval cathedrals that are great examples of medieval European art still around. 

        Another style of art that is still around today would be the techniques we use to make art ourselves. For example the way that we make paint was originally formed in medieval times. The way we make sculptures is also a great example, you see, because we learned our ways from the artwork before us and the medieval artwork is very unique and inspires a lot of artists still today. So, if you think about it everything we have learned about art was given to us by a different time period and certainly realistic paintings and sculptures because this idea was given to us by Giotto! Medieval art is still all around us and always will be.

What was the Romanesque and Gothic era?


       Art was split into two over lapping eras, the Romanesque era(1050-1180) and the Gothic era(1150-1550). Obviously the Romanesque era came first and happened to focus on simple things, such as human figures and animals with mostly color block backgrounds. Even though the dates say Romanesque era art died out in the year of 1180 it really didn't die out until the end of medieval times. Many people were shocked by this but, some forms of art just get passed down longer then others and that makes it harder to get rid of or for it to die out quickly. In this art era there were also monumental sculptures that were huge and the fine arts influenced the architecture of the Romanesque, as well as the opposite. Romanesque art was also very classically done which is so very different from Gothic, or so you would think.

         The Gothic era in art all started with down right architecture, which had spread from Paris originally. The buildings built during the Gothic time were incredibly large! This was so that the room or rooms could be filled with God's spirit and seemed to beg to be filled with breath taking artwork! The people of medieval also called the Gothic movement in art the "opus modernum" or "modern work" because the Gothic movement was seemed to be a phenomenon by the people. Nobalty though was known for having stain glass windows and other stain glass objects. This alone was a huge deal because the stained glass seen today was even inspired by what had been done in the Gothic era. The most steller stain glass windows in the world are the rose windows in the Cathefral of Notre Dame.

Where did artist work and what mediums were used?

        An artist in medieval Europe worked in a workshop which doubled as their home. If the artist chooses to take on an apprentince, they will also be expected to live in the workshop until they have learned the trade of art to the fullest. This decision is made by the artist who takes them on and they will most likely make the decision between 4-13 years. THe artist's artwork will also be displayed in his workshop under wide arches that seperate the ground floor from the busy street. In contrast to the medieval artist's workshop was loud and noist, being filled with activity, where as today most artist's studios or work places are peaceful and quiet. I really dont know which one I would prefer to work in but, I think I would rather work somewhere peaceful so I wont get distracted or mess up a piece.

        The mediums used in medieval Europe range a lot! They made everything by hand and was usually a recipe or tool that had been taught to them by their teacher in the workshop. To make paint the artists would grind pigments, then mix with resin, water and egg yolk or oil. The color pigment was whatever color your heart desired at the time...or your teachers. But, many of the paint techniques are still used by people and artist today. To sculpt though they mainly used wood, water and stone. These mediums were used to sculpt statues and many artists would make a mini sculpture out of clay to get their ideas flowing and done. The sculpture would also sketch with choracol the image he wished to create on a stone sculpture. To chisel out their design the artist would use files, chisels and iron picks. This all seems so different to how our sculptures sculpt today because, we use high power tools! I cant even begin to imagine how long and how much effort it took to make the beautiful sculptures we see today, much less the ones we discover from ancient and medieval times!

Who was a famous artist in Medieval Europe?

            Giotto was a very famous medieval artist; even though most people do not know who he is. He was the artist who originally made paintings and sculptures look realistic. His teacher is also very famous; this is because he is considered the best painter in the world and very good with mosacis as well. His name is Cimabue and taught Giotto the trade of art as his apprentince. Giotto became so good at art that he was desired by kings, popes and mostly new religious orders. Even after his death, the people cherished his ideas and opened an art school under his teachings. It’s amazing that one person could and still does inspire artwork, not only in their time but today as well! Without him we might still have never none realistic art and just make made up scenes or expressionless artwork. 

            Other famous artist from medieval Europe are people such as Arnolfo Di Cambio and Duccio Di Bounin Segna. Arnolfo was the greatest know architect of his day and sculpture. Both styles of art go together so it really is no surprise that he was good at architecture and sculpting, if you think about it. Also Arnolfo Di Cambio died in 1302 which is about the time of Giotto who died in 1337. Though Arnolfo was a great artist, so was Duccio Di Buonin who was famous for finding the art of Sienese painting! Sadly he died shortly after Arnolfo in the year of 1319. Yet this great acomplishment he discovered, will make him remembered forever.

What style of art was popular in Medieval Europe?           

           Religious art was very popular in the medieval time period and consisted of paintings sculptures and even great architecture. The Notre Dame Cathedral is the finest example today of this, for example the rose stain glass windows in the Cathedral are know as the best in the world! Paintings were very in at this time also, and consisted of everyday life, mythology and scenes from the past. The religious paintings became a way to teach religion to those who could not see, hear, or write. Artist would also paint on big wooden panels, and with this they usually made a crucifix. Though paintings were a very important piece to Medieval art, sculptures were a very big hit and widely known to be in cathedral walls and on the doors as well as around the door. These sculptures were literaly carved into the walls and in this way most of them were preserved with the cathedral but, if the cathedral were to fall, so would these riveting pieces of art. Lets hope we preserve things from the past for years to come.

           The techniques used in the Medieval time period were very different then the ones that artist use today, for example the Medieval Europeans used gold leafing and mosaics; even though today most people or even artist might not know what either of these techniques are. I personally am into art, not a great extent but none the less interested and I had no idea that gold leafing was even possible! This certain technique was mostly used in religious artwork to make halos around Jesus and the holy. Mosaics were  most popular in Rome, and are very difficult to make. Mosaics consist of many stones or general colorful pieces of glass or rock and are made into portraits of people. Actually one of the most famous medieval artists ever, made mosaics for many important people, even emperors! Though in medieval times mosaics were usually portraits of people, they could also be pictures of everyday or religious scenes from history.  There are many still around that seem to amaze everyone with just one little look today.