To learn about manuscripts, I strongly recommend Raymond Clemens and Timothy Graham’s Introduction to Manuscript Studies (Cornell University Press, 2007). Henry Luttikhuitzen and Dorothy Verkerk’s Snyder’s Medieval Art (Pearson, 2005) provides a comprehensive survey, although it is less focused on the contextual and cultural analysis of the artifacts. Roger Stalley’s Early Medieval Architecture (Oxford University Press, 1999) is a survey of extant architecture from the Carolingian to Romanesque period, although he mostly focuses on British and north-western European examples. Lawrence Nees’s Early Medieval Art (Oxford University Press, 2002) provides a wonderful overview of the non-architectural arts of the period all organized into concise thematic units. In addition, later buildings replaced most architecture, such as churches and palaces, and many other artifacts produced from wood, leather, and other natural materials did not survive in the northern climate.Ī great place to start is the Oxford History of Art Series books. Also, by stressing that the archaeological evidence surviving from this period is very patchy, consisting mainly of small portable and non-perishable objects recovered from burial sites, students will be less likely to judge this period as “dark ages” devoid of artistic and cultural production and innovation. This will help students to understand that early Medieval art was not purely aesthetic, but also a symbol that could proclaim one’s status, education, identity, and culture. Originally pagan, the settlers gradually converted to Christianity and adopted many of the Roman customs and laws, which helped to unify these heterogeneous populations.Ī few themes to stress throughout the lecture include art as a form of status symbol, the fusion of Mediterranean Christian and native pagan traditions, and the selective survival of artifacts. In the following centuries, these various groups merged providing foundations for today’s European nations. This constant movement and migration happened primarily during the fourth and fifth centuries. Other settlers from Central Asia chose to establish their own communities in Europe to challenge the previous structures. Although some were initially viewed as barbarians (foreigners) by the Romans, the northern settlers quickly adapted to Roman community life with many of them rising to prominent positions. These major societal, cultural, and artistic changes resulted from the fusion of three important traditions: Graeco-Roman heritage, the traditions of various people living or newly settled in Northern Europe, and a relatively new Christian faith. The period after the dissolution of Roman Empire and up to the year 1000 was an incredibly formative period of western medieval art culture, a time of great innovations and production of unique artifacts. Use this as an opportunity to correct this unjust, but widely held view. Oftentimes, influenced by popular culture, they simply think of this period as mysterious “dark ages.” You may take a quick poll to check how many of them agree with this label and then discuss what ideas they associate with it. Many of your students may have a very foggy idea about the historical and cultural developments in the West prior to year 1000.
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