Question 1:
Before the invention of the printing press, books were copied by hand one at a time by illuminators, and the vellum was often embellished with beautiful calligraphy and intricate patterns and designs. Explain why the Church committed such expense and the involvement of such creative effort to produce these beautiful works. Discuss the purpose and use of these works, including information as to who would actually see them and read from them. In addition, consider how the reverence of saints and figures of early Christian history became a significant feature of Romanesque art in many forms. What role did reliquaries play in the production of art objects? What controversies arose in relation to venerated images or cult figures memorialized through art?
Question 2:
The height and distinctive stylistic features of Gothic cathedrals, particularly their expansive stained-glass windows and non-load-bearing walls, were achieved through specific design and construction methods. Identify and explain these breakthroughs in architectural engineering, as well as glassmaking techniques. Discuss how these elements of Gothic churches serve both functional and symbolic purposes. Apart from the construction of religious sites, what were other developments in Gothic architecture? What purposes did these serve? What building traditions were continued or refined?
Be sure to explain your ideas clearly and support them by discussing specific works of art that you have read about this week, talking about how they illustrate and support your ideas.
Here are some of the places and pieces we discussed this week. When using example if possible could you choose from any of these.
Each question really only needs a couple STRONG paragraphs
Question 1 examples![Monasticism in Western Medieval Europe]()
BOOK OF DURROW
THE BOOK OF KELLS
WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUNLINDISFARNE GOSPEL BOOK
MATTHEW WRITING HIS GOSPEL, LINDISFARNE GOSPEL BOOK
PICTURE STONES AT JELLING
CREATION AND FALL OF ADAM AND EVE, WEST FAÇADE, MODENA CATHEDRAL
RELIQUARY STATUE OF SAINTE FOY (ST. FAITH)
BSTAGS DRINKING FROM STREAMS FLOWING UNDER THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST
TOWER OF BABEL
CREATION AND FALL OF ADAM AND EVE, WEST FAÇADE, MODENA CATHEDRAL
Question 2 examples
Detail of the Good Samaritan Window, south aisle of nave, Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Chartres, France. c. 1200–1210. Stained and painted glass.
THE ABBEY CHURCH OF SAINT-DENIS
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
WEST FAÇADE, CHARTRES CATHEDRAL (CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE-DAME)
ROYAL PORTAL, WEST FAÇADE, CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
GOOD SAMARITAN WINDOW
ROSE WINDOW AND LANCETS, NORTH TRANSEPT, CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
UPPER CHAPEL INTERIOR, THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE
HOLOFERNES’ ARMY CROSSING THE EUPHRATES RIVER
Matthew Paris SELFPORTRAIT KNEELING BEFORE THE VIRGIN AND CHILD
SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
CHURCH OF ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY
SHRINE OF THE THREE KINGS
ST. MAURICE in Magdeburg Cathedral
EKKEHARD AND UTA West chapel, Naumburg Cathedral, Germany
Nicola Pisano PULPIT Baptistery, Pisa, Italy
Nicola Pisano ANNUNCIATION, NATIVITY, AND ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS
Giovanni Pisano ANNUNCIATION, NATIVITY, AND ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS
Coppo di Marcovaldo CRUCIFIX
THE MIRACLE OF THE CRIB AT GRECCIO From a cycle of the Life of St. Francis, church of St. Francis, Assisi
