The stained-glass windows, notably, the Rose Windows, created in Medieval times were considered “The poor man’s Bible” because much of the populace were illiterate. These windows beautifully told the story of Christianity through their pictorials. There is different meaning in each image and these images converge to tell an excerpt of the Bible. The innovation that the artists and scribes had in Medieval times is implausible and the attention to detail is shown in the intricacy of their designs. Magnificent and awe-inspiring the stained-glass windows of Medieval times has been recreated through imitations but will ever match the exactness and splendor of the originals. Furthermore, recreation of these windows in modern times give accolades
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls touched upon many topics including alcoholism, mental illness, and poverty. One specific topic that seemed to be particularly attention-grabbing was the possibility that her mom had bipolar disorder, or some other possible mental illness. There are so many people in the world who have some form of a mental illness, and many go undiagnosed. Some that are never diagnosed go through their life needing help or maybe even becoming a danger to others. Despite the bad reputation mental problems get, people are able to overcome their struggle and live normal lives with the proper medicine and help. The Glass Castle is one example of how mental illness is a part of many people’s lives.
The Flight into Egypt, c. 1140-144 and Holofernes' Army Crossing the Euphrates River, c. 1245 are among the Gothic arts that were painted on stained glass windows of Gothic cathedrals. The architecture of the cathedrals provided for tall walls where stained glass windows with paintings of stories in Apocryphal books were mounted. The Holofernes’ Army Crossing the Euphrates River medallion was located in Saint- Chappelle Chapel in Italy. The medallion was located in a window of the chapel dedicated to the Apocryphal book of Judith (The Judith window). The medallion illustrates the biblical verse in the book of Judith where an army was crossing the Euphrates River to Mesopotamia. The Flight into Egypt illustration illustrates the biblical narrative when Mary and Joseph together with their son Jesus escaped into Egypt. The illustration was located in Abby church of Saint Dennis. It was the first Gothic styled cathedral and provided a blueprint for the others. Painted and stained glass window pieces of art were made by joining different pieces of stained glass bearing illustrations of objects using lead limes. Besides, special paints could also be used to paint on the glasses directly (Klaus and Charles 14). Lead lines are clearly seen in the original stained glass illustrations. These illustrations were described as the “Bible of the poor” because they helped the poor who did not know how to read and write to learn about the scriptures (Carl and Charles 14-16). The linear,
The painting The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John the Baptist, 1592 (oil on canvas) was created by Italian painter Sofonisba Anguissola (c.1532-1625). It is currently held at the Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, as a gift from Mrs. Forbes Hawkes and Bridgeman Images. This painting is among the unique pious narrative paintings by Anguissola. “The Holy Family” is the last dated painting by the artist. It was executed when she had just returned to Italy after spending 14 years working for King Philip II at the Spanish court. By this time, she had already married to a Genoese ship captain. Her various visits to court and her personal contacts with great painter at that time largely inspired herself. Through these contacts, she successfully stayed in touch with current developments in art. By closely observing this masterpiece, I argue that the artist perfectly sustain the beauty of counter-reformation arts in her work by use of light and shadow, delicate brushwork and accurate proportions of each subjects.
The imitation of the apostolic life gives meaning to the Last Supper. The continuation of the architecture of the room brings the viewer into the
In this essay, I will discuss the startling differences between two depictions of the story of Judith and Holofernes. “Judith with the Head of Holofernes”, 1495, created by Andrea Mantegna, is a small-scale painting that was completed during the Renaissance. The second is a Baroque painting, “Judith Slaying Holofernes”, c.1620 by Artemisia Gentileschi and is on a larger scale than the version created by Mantegna. Both artworks take inspiration from the religious story that appears in the Catholic editions of the Bible. The story is about a young widowed Jewish woman, by the name of Judith, who murdered an enemy army general, Holofernes, to spare her people from death. I will compare and contrast how the scene has been depicted in rather different ways by each of the artists and the influencing factors that contributed to the overall outcome of both works. I will also be discussing how form and naturalism are portrayed between the two paintings, use of colour, symbolism and religion, as well as the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
The Gothic style was an over exaggerated, awe-inspiring attempt to become closer to God. The worshipper was not only drawn to the altar, but experienced an ascent to heaven at the same time.1 These artistic gems are a grand testament to historical technology and the imaginative approach and vision of skilled craftsmen. The gothic style is one of the most
In this paper, I will describe, compare, and contrast two paintings of the same name, The Annunciation by Gerard David and Joos van Cleve. Beginning with Joos van Cleve’s work, we see the virgin Mary kneeling down before an opened book. An illuminated dove with its wings spread is suspended above Mary. An angel is standing beside her, making a gesture. Both figures are inside an ornately decorated, well lit bedroom.
While studying the 52 scenes depicted in Raphael’s Bible, it is interesting to try to understand his sources of inspiration and what helped him achieving this harmonious design. For that, we will focus on the scenes that show proofs of his inspiration and that can be compared to previous work. In her book, Nicole Dacos shows the two main analogies that can be observed: the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paolo fuori le Mura.
Writer, Jeannette Walls, in her memoir, The Glass Castle, provides an insight into the fanciful and shocking life of growing up poor and nomadic with faux-grandiose parents in America. With her memoir, Wall's purpose was to acknowledge and overcome the difficulties that came with her unusual upbringing. Her nostalgic but bitter tone leaves the reader with an odd taste in their mouth. In some memories, the author invites her audience to look back on with fondness; others are viewed through bulletproof glass and outrage.
There are few things as beautiful and striking at looking up at a stained glass window with the sun light shining through and illuminating the vibrant and jewel tone colors of the individual pieces of glass that make up the window. During the 12th and 13th centuries, there was an explosion in the number of stained glass windows created for churches through out Europe and Britain. Of both Romanesque and Gothic design, the proliferation of stained glass was a result of a variety of causes. The evolution of of the technical techniques needed to create stained glass windows, architectural advancements and religious needs and desires all contributed to the growth of stained glass during the 1100s and 1200s.
The focus of this essay is to determine, the ways in which the Divine was used as a generating concept in the design of Gothic cathedrals and churches in the Middle Ages. How did the resulting design goals generate new structural technologies to support a Gothic cathedral, and how were they expressed in the building’s interior? In 1962, Paul Frankl published a basic history about the Gothic style, however now it has been declared that the Gothic style was initially originated in the year 1130’s . This is due to the Islamic and Romanesque architecture also featuring the rib vault and the pointed arch as well, which emphasize the light and the soaring spaces .
Notre-Dame of Paris is one of the most prominent cathedrals in the land of Paris and portrays many diversified Gothic characteristics. This research essay will explore the cathedral in detail while emphasizing on the influence of Gothic architecture on the cathedral. Notre-Dame of Paris bears all the structural features of a Gothic cathedral including the famous rose window. By far, the Gothic style has influenced the entire design of Notre-Dame of Pairs. If there were other influences, it would be too minor to be taken noticed of. The construction began in year 1163. Being a significant building to the locals, she bore important responsibilities. Eugene Viollet-le-Duc played an important role in the cathedral’s restoration.
For this week’s assignment, I will examine the Illuminated Manuscripts from the Middle Ages and how they parallel in contemporary society. By definition an Illuminated manuscript is a manuscript where a handwritten book is accompanied by borders, smaller illustrations (called miniatures) and is decorated with gold or silver. These illuminated manuscripts may also be referred to as a “display book”. They were mostly done on animal skin or parchment and decorated with expensive dyes. The bright colors brought the figures to life. By having the pictures, people were able to understand, as many in medieval times could not read.
This remarkable improvement in methods indicates the fresh importation of skills from the East and this applies not merely to England but to all Western Europe at that time (“The Flowering” 88). Into three main phases the development of architecture through the period may be divided. The elements of Gothic style and their gradual elaboration over a period of rather more than a century came first at the opening of the 12th century. After the year 1000 there was a fully coordinated Gothic art particularly marked by the invention of windows with baltracy, Jean d’ Orbais probably used it first at Rheims cathedral during the generation following 1211, why the east end was begun. A century followed with classic poise in which an international architecture reached its peak and produce perfect forms of castle and palace, cathedrals enriched with painting patterned tiles, figure sculpture and stained glass (“The Flowering” 92).
The art and architecture of medieval times deals with many movements, eras, in the art history. Included in this period is Early Christian, Byzantine, Carolingian, Romanesque, and the Gothic periods of art and architecture. The Medieval period is very complex, but a good overall review is the distinctive natures of each era can be found at Age of Discovery, Medieval Art, Renaissance, and the Exploration. An excellent overview of this period is at Early Medieval Art, an extensive art history site that covers all areas of art history.