Medieval Art covered a historic period that spanned the fall of the Roman Empire in 300 AD to the beginning of the Renaissance in 1400 AD. It was such a vast timeframe that it's difficult to describe or pin down exactly what makes it Medieval. We have broken it up into periods, but one common theme is Christianity. With the Catholic Church in power we have a number of religious artworks being commissioned. It was likely that art was created as a means of education. Stylistically medieval art deviated greatly from the classical period where the artists took a step back from realism and entered into a new age of symbolism. The artists were trying to communicate stories to the viewer through simple renderings. What is important is not the merit of the painting but the message. (1)
There were a great deal of Madonna and child paintings that came out of the Middle Ages. The painting above is a 13th Century tempera and gold on wood icon of the Madonna and child by Italian painter Berlinghiero Berlinghieri. The figures in this painting have that distinct lack of depth common during the time. The hands in particular stand out as the fingers are proportionately off with a stylized pattern on their back side. The faces show little emotion and the eyes are dead. Most curiously, Baby Jesus looks like a tiny man. (2)
We know that the purpose of the arts was to teach the gospels to the populous. Most people could neither read nor afford books, and let's not forget that they were living in a time when painting icons was a tricky occupation. There may have even been a common belief that God would punish someone for getting something theologically incorrect. So, what about Baby Jesus? Why was he always painted looking like a small man? Well, the artist was trying to convey the nature of Christ to the viewer. You see, the symbolism doesn't have to be subtle. The tiny baby looking like a man is obviously trying to point out that Jesus was God incarnate who is immutable and unchanging. Medieval artist may not have been the greatest of painters by merit, but they definitely had a talent for telling stories through the brush. (2)
Notes
1. "Medieval Art," Wikipedia, accessed October 2, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_art
2. "Why Are Babies in Medieval Paintings So Creepy?," Tales of Times Forgotten, accessed October 2, 2020, https://talesoftimesforgotten.com/2019/10/27/why-are-babies-in-medieval-paintings-so-creepy/.
Hi Ashley!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I like how you mentioned that most people of this time period couldn't read or afford books, making art the gateway to tell stories and pass on religious values. I always wondered why Baby Jesus looked like a small man in paintings, it does make sense for them to use him as a symbol of God, immutable, and unchanging. Medieval art definitely has a different purpose compared to art we viewed a few weeks ago.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteMany of the sources I read also mentioned that it was hard to pin point the main theme of the Medieval. However, I think Christianity describes this era well because groups (like the Ottonians) were just beginning their religious journeys. In fact, the piece of artwork that I chose from the Medieval period represented the Christian religion, too! It was refreshing to see that you didn't just talk about the physical aspects of this piece. You did a good job explaining the purpose of this artwork.
Hey Ashely, great post! I really enjoy the overall appearance of this piece. I like the mature features applied to both faces despite the age gap. The exaggeration of scale, specifically with the finger lengths. It just made the painting more interesting to the viewer.
ReplyDeleteWow, this was very well written, I like how in the beginning you described what medieval art was all about; then led into your main topic. Which was the painting of Madonna and a child, and why their features were so abnormal. I never really noticed before, how the baby Jesus looked like a small man, now when I see painting like this, I will understand why.
ReplyDeleteReferring to your last sentence, “Medieval artists may no have been the greatest of painters by merit… definitely had a talent for telling stories…” I agree. Medieval artists and Medieval art wasn’t necessarily created for the figurative aspect, but rather the integrated, deeper, hidden meaning, “get you thinking” stories. In my opinion, I feel that that’s where most 20th century art evolved from with their “deeper meaning” radiance.
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley, Your post is extremely informative. I always find Medieval art to be really grim and dark, to me, their eyes always seem to follow. Its crazy to think how organized religion has changed over the years especially when it comes to baby Jesus, could you imagine have a painting of "small man" Jesus in your kitchen growing up. But yes, I do agree with you, about them having the ability to tell a story through a brush.
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