The art period that I enjoyed the most over the quarter has to be the Early Medieval art. The reason I was drawn to this period was because of all the references to the catholic religion. I love all the work that came out of the period that we went over in class. In every piece there is always a deeper meaning and I really liked that about the art work. I had to think about the references to every piece and what the artist was really trying to represent in their work. I also really like how there was so much detail in we works we studied in class from the Early Medieval Era.
One piece that I loved in the Early Medieval art is the Doors of Bishop Bernward. When looking at the doors I find it so interesting because there is so much going on in each registrar. I love how one side is the New Testament and on the other side is the Old Testament and when looking at both beside each other it has a connecting themes. To me this piece is almost like a puzzle each piece goes together for some reason and you the viewer have to figure it out. Nothing in each registrar is meaningless, everything from the plants to the way someone looks all has something to do with the whole meaning behind the piece.
Another piece I really liked in this era is the Crucifixion with Angels and Mourning Figures, Lindau Gospel. Not only is the cover so beautiful but it is so detailed. I cannot even imagine how expensive that gospel is. It is made with gold, pearls, sapphires, garnets, and emeralds. I like how Christ is looking at the viewer as in the way to say he has conquered sin. The people below him are mourning his death but the angels above him are happy. The shape of the cross feels a little off from what we know today what the cross looked like, but none the less this piece is so beautiful.
Lastly a piece that I enjoyed in the period was the Gero Crucifix. It is a life-size wooden carving of the crucifix. It is so beautiful to me because it is so simple. The body of Christ is highly detailed but the choice of color and design over all is very simple comparative to the other works I have spoken about. The fact that this Crucifix is life-size makes it so power to me because you are able to look at Christ in so much more detail then if it were small. The expression on Jesus’ face is sad for me to look at but it holds a lot of meaning for me too. It is showing the life here was sad but now he has saved us from our sin. I love the detail in the cloth that is covering him. The way it looks so textured and how it looks like it is moving. Overall this piece to me was very powerful. Lastly I wanted to say that I have really enjoyed looking at all this works of art this quarter and being about to talk about it. It was a lot of fun for me Thank you.
It sounds like you were really interested in Ottonian art, given many of the examples that you discussed. I really like this art, too. And the Carolingian Lindau Gospels are amazing! I love to think about the idea that precious mediums convey the precious quality of an object. In this case, we can tell that the gospel writings were very precious to the Carolingian people, based on the expensive medium that was used to decorate the outer cover of the gospels book.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed having you as a student this past quarter! I'm glad that this quarter was fun for you.
-Prof. Bowen
I completely agree, I love pieces that have a deeper meaning and I think Early Medieval art is a great section that is full of pieces with deeper meanings. Every time I look at an Early Medieval art piece I really look at it and try to find out what is being represented. Like the Doors of Bishop Bernward, all the detail impacts how it interpreted. Each registrar tells a different story about the New and Old Testament. I like how you described this piece as a puzzle, because it truly does seem like a puzzle when you first look at it. Trying to figure out where to start and how each registrar works together with the others.
ReplyDeleteThere are many interpretations from the Early Medieval art, and that is the one characteristic I love about it. You have to use your imagination and creative side to draw this personal or general interpretation in. Of course there are artists who have their own, but when you make your own, you feel like you have a connection with the piece.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I really enjoyed the Early Medieval art period, their work is so prominent and creative. I like your description of the Gero Crucifix, great visual detail, and i agree that the life-like size brings a stronger emotional connection to the piece.
ReplyDeleteThe Early Medieval art period is definitely fascinating! Actually... All of them are! But I think that this had a lot of history and emotion tagged along with it. I love to see how all the art ties into each other and how they relate within the era. Very interesting.
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