The Middle Ages also known as the Medieval period were the storybook times. When knight in shining armors duty was to save damsels in distress. It was a time of great political and social change that began after the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD. It was during this time when some of the countries in Europe were formed. It was a feudal society with peasants, craftsmen and farmers are the bottom followed by knights and abbots then dukes, barons and the archbishop. The king was the second highest on the social structure under the pope. Knights followed the code of chivalry and were fully dressed in armor. Everyone was a christian and Medieval Europe was referred to as Christendom. In the Middle Ages there were many significant events that occurred including the Black Death which killed a third of the population. Paintings, sculptures and buildings were ways in which art was seen as in that time.
This is the Head of an Old Testament King. Carved for the Abbey Church of Saint-Dennis it is located outside Paris. It represents the change between the abstract and factual characteristics of the Romanesque period and the realism of later twelfth century. It was intentional that it was not an accurate representation. The artist has chosen to incorporate elements based on their observations of nature. The figure at full length would be at the height of a viewer’s head and it wou8ld stare down at viewers. It was brightly painted and the eyes had inset glass and metal. The head of the statue was removed from the site late eighteenth century. This was before the church was vandalised during the French Revolution.
1140 c.a
This piece is about the Betrayal of Christ. Made from gilt copper this fragment was attached to a panel with others witch would have made a French altar. These gothic style figures show Christ is being kissed by Judas and being identified for an arrest. One of Christ’s followers, to the left, is cutting off the ear of the high preist’s servant. She is doing this with the content of Christ as shown with his extended hand.
1240-150AD
Eucharistic dove were created by shining enamels and glass eyes. It was using for storing common wafers and were displayed above the altar to symbolise the presence of the Holy Spirit at the Mass. Under a hinged lid on the bird’s back it was storage for wafers.
Early 13th century
This is the Shrine of Saint Amandus. It once contains valuable relics. This shrine is for the 7th century, Saint Amandus who served as a missionary and Bishop of what is now the western regions of Belgium. He established a monastery. Later, this is where monks authorised the production of this reliquary. The focus of the shrine was the silver columns and gilded apostles. It was visited by pilgrims who came in thanks for answered prayers and healing. It was large and popular.
Early 13th century
This casket was carved in Paris, France. It was created between 1325-50 AD of the medieval period. The casket is made from ivory. The carvings are scenes of romantic and courtly literature representing love and heroism of the time period. Carved in the casket are knights jousting and ladies watching from their balcony. There are also scenes from the famous stories: Aristotle, and Phyllis, Tristan and Iseult, and tales of the acts of courage of Gawain, Galahad, and Lancelot. It was also a courtship gift
1325-50AD