Glossary
Abrahamic Faiths
A group of monotheistic religions that trace their origins to Abraham, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Example:
The shared narratives and figures across Abrahamic Faiths often led to similar iconographic themes in medieval art, despite stylistic differences.
Arabesques
Intricate and flowing decorative patterns based on rhythmic linear designs of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils, or abstract geometric forms, common in Islamic art.
Example:
The walls of the Alhambra palace are covered in stunning arabesques, creating a sense of infinite, repeating beauty.
Baroque Art
Artistic style of the 17th century, characterized by dramatic movement, intense emotion, rich ornamentation, and theatricality, often used to promote the Counter-Reformation.
Example:
Bernini's 'Ecstasy of Saint Teresa' captures the intense emotion and dynamic composition characteristic of Baroque Art.
Byzantine Art
Art of the Byzantine Empire, characterized by its religious focus, use of mosaics, gold backgrounds, and stylized, often frontal figures.
Example:
The glittering mosaics of the Hagia Sophia are prime examples of Byzantine Art, emphasizing spiritual grandeur over earthly realism.
Calligraphy
The art of decorative handwriting or lettering, especially prominent in Islamic art where it is used to adorn religious texts and architecture.
Example:
Many Islamic manuscripts feature exquisite calligraphy that transforms the written word into a beautiful visual art form.
Counter-Reformation
The Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation, which involved a renewed emphasis on religious art as a tool for instruction and emotional engagement, leading to the development of the Baroque style.
Example:
The dramatic and emotionally charged art of the Baroque period was largely fueled by the Counter-Reformation's desire to reassert Catholic doctrine and inspire devotion.
Early Medieval Art
Art produced in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, characterized by a mix of regional styles, Christian themes, and often portable objects.
Example:
The elaborate metalwork and interlace patterns of the Sutton Hoo helmet are hallmarks of Early Medieval Art from the Anglo-Saxon period.
Feudalism
A social and economic system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for military service or labor, influencing the patronage and function of art.
Example:
The hierarchical structure of feudalism meant that much of the art produced was commissioned by powerful lords or the Church.
Gothic Art
Artistic style that emerged in the mid-12th century, characterized by soaring cathedrals with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and large stained-glass windows.
Example:
Chartres Cathedral, with its immense rose windows and intricate sculptural details, is a masterpiece of Gothic Art.
Islamic Art
Art created in the Islamic world, often characterized by its emphasis on calligraphy, geometric patterns, and arabesques, frequently avoiding figural representation in religious contexts.
Example:
The intricate tilework and calligraphic inscriptions on the Dome of the Rock showcase the distinctive features of Islamic Art.
Late Antique Art
Art produced during the transitional period from the Roman Empire to the Early Middle Ages, characterized by the blending of classical traditions with emerging Christian imagery.
Example:
The Catacombs of Priscilla contain early Christian frescoes that exemplify Late Antique Art's shift from pagan to religious subject matter.
Mendicant Orders
Religious orders, such as the Franciscans and Dominicans, that emerged in the 13th century and emphasized poverty, preaching, and direct engagement with the public, influencing art's accessibility and themes.
Example:
The rise of Mendicant Orders led to an increase in public art and altarpieces that depicted relatable scenes for the common worshipper.
Motifs
Recurring elements, symbols, or designs that appear repeatedly in a work of art or across a body of works.
Example:
The acanthus leaf is a common motif found in classical Greek and Roman architecture, later reinterpreted in Renaissance designs.
Naturalism
A style of art that seeks to represent objects, figures, and scenes as they would appear in nature, often with an emphasis on accurate observation.
Example:
Giotto's frescoes, with their more weighty and three-dimensional figures, marked a significant step towards naturalism in pre-Renaissance painting.
Protestant Reformation
A 16th-century religious and political movement that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, leading to significant changes in artistic patronage and subject matter, especially in Northern Europe.
Example:
The Protestant Reformation led to a decline in religious art in some regions, with a new focus on secular subjects like portraits and landscapes.
Realism
An artistic movement or style that aims to depict subjects as they appear in real life, without idealization or stylization.
Example:
Caravaggio's use of dramatic chiaroscuro to highlight the gritty details of everyday life exemplifies his commitment to realism.
Renaissance Art
Artistic movement from the 14th to 16th centuries in Europe, marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity, humanism, realism, and naturalism.
Example:
Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' exemplifies Renaissance Art's mastery of naturalistic portrayal and psychological depth.
Romanesque Art
Artistic style prevalent in Western Europe from the 11th to 12th centuries, known for its massive stone churches, barrel vaults, and sculptural programs on church portals.
Example:
The imposing facade and tympanum carvings of the Church of Sainte-Foy are quintessential examples of Romanesque Art, designed to awe pilgrims.
The Crusades
A series of religious wars initiated by the Latin Church in the medieval period, which led to cultural exchange and influenced artistic themes and patronage.
Example:
The Crusades exposed European artists to new motifs and materials from the Middle East, subtly influencing Western art.