In today’s lecture, we covered image in the medieval period. Now there was a really interesting BBC four series on at the beginning of the summer called ” The Dark Ages, An Age of Light”. Unfortunately it is no longer on BBC I player but I’ll put the link to the programme page at the bottom as it still has clips and images from the series. In the series Waldemar Januszczak explores many different types of art that emerged in the Dark Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire. We also covered these in the lecture today. Byzantine art emerged in what had been the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Like much of the art from this period it had a Christian back ground. Byzantine art portrayed its emperor’s as Christ like and divine. Adorned in gold and blue. They showed their great wealth and power as both spiritual and military leaders. The Hiberno – Saxo or Insular art (c.500 – 1170) was the least influenced by the Roman art. It came from the west and the north including Britain and Ireland. Insular Art was highly ornate and symbolic. With a high level of craftsmanship and thought. Challenge the idea that the Dark Ages were devoid of order and intelligence and full of barbarians. Master pieces such as the book of Kells are insular art. This concept that the Dark Ages were lesser artistically and intellectually is in my opinion false. Gothic art ( c 1150 – 1400) was named Gothic by those in the Italian Renaissance as they thought it was barbaric. It was not its created beautiful Christian altarpieces and fresco’s as well as architecture. which still influences people today.
” The Dark Ages, an Age of Light” programme page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/galleries/p011gx18 (accessed 13.10.2013.)
Also the picture is something I drew in my badger sketchbook (Yes, I do have an entire sketchbook dedicated to badgers) for my Advanced Higher art, Book of Kells/ Insular art inspired.
robynglendinning 