The Medieval Era in Western Art is not always presented as a clearly defined period. Most generally, it refers to the art of Europe and the Near East from the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century all the way to the years before the Renaissance at the turn of the 15h century. This is an entire millennia of art (approximately 400-1400ACE) which is sometimes referred to as “The Middle Ages”, a period in between Greco Roman Antiquity and the revival of those values and forms during the Renaissance. It was a period dominated by religious patronage, a feudal economy, and heroic architectural achievements in service of faith.
So when we speak of a “medieval work of art”, what we most generally indicating a work of art that is produced after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century but before the transition to a mercantile and capitalist economy in Europe during the 15th century Renaissance.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Choose a work of medieval art from the years 400-1400ACE
2. Provide the Artist (if there is one), Title, Date, Material, and Location of the work of art
3. Indicate which part of the medieval era your object is from (i.e. Byzantine, Celtic, Romanesque, Gothic, etc.)
4. Provide a short description of your object