Chapter 11 Early Medieval Europe

Early Medieval Europe
This chapter surveys the art of Europe in the period between 410, the Fall of Rome, and 1024, the conclusion of the Ottonion period. The art of the medieval period is the result of a mix of three primary cultural influences: the classical traditions of Rome’s northern provinces, the practices of non-Roman people in central and northern Europe, and Christianity. From the 5^th to the middle of the 8^th century—the period of the “warrior lords”—surviving artworks are primarily portable objects such as weapons and items of personal adornment that reflect the decorative traditions of non-Roman groups such as the Huns, Merovingians, Franks, Goths, and Vikings. Between the 7^th and 11^th centuries most of Europe became Christianized, but the decorative abstract patterns and intertwining animal forms established in pre-Christian times continue to appear in art throughout the Early Middle Ages. This is particularly the case with Hiberno-Saxon artists in Ireland and Britain, who produced elaborately decorated Christian illuminated manuscripts in the 7^th and 8^th centuries. In the Carolingian period (768-877) in central Europe, artists developed unique styles of manuscript illumination and established the twin-tower westwork of church architecture. 10^th century Ottonion artists revived the art of monumental sculpture and produced small-scale works exhibiting clear Byzantine influence, while architects introduced the alternate-support system and galleries to the naves of basilicas.