Art History: The Middle Ages

Overview of the Middle Ages

• The Middle Ages (Medieval Age) spans from the Fall of Rome (476 CE) to the Fall of Constantinople (1453 CE).
• Period followed the Early Middle Ages (450-1000 CE), initially termed the "Dark Ages" due to perceived intellectual darkness and barbarian violence.
• Modern scholarship argues against the notion of a truly ignorant "Dark Ages"; intellectual and cultural activity persisted.

Early Middle Ages

• Characterized by the establishment of new European identities and kingdoms after the Western Roman Empire's collapse.
• Invasion by Germanic tribes led to significant sociopolitical changes.
• Prominent events include Charlemagne’s reign, Viking activities, the Iconoclastic Controversy, and the rapid expansion of Islam into Northern Africa and Spain.
• The Christianization processes led to the founding of the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy’s rise as a political power.

High Middle Ages

• Spanning the 11th to 13th centuries, marked by increased social and political organization in Europe.
• Population growth and favorable agricultural conditions improved local economies, establishing Manorialism and feudalism as dominant systems.
• By the end of the 11th century, Christianity had widely spread across Europe.
• The Papacy contested with secular governments, influencing political dynamics.
• The period saw the Crusades aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control.
• Cultural advancements occurred in the arts, sciences, and higher education, with the birth of new universities.
• Architectural styles like Romanesque and Gothic evolved, merging classical elements with new technologies.

Late Middle Ages

• From the 13th to the 15th century, this era was overshadowed by calamities such as the Black Death, which decimated a third of Europe's population.
• Civil wars and religious controversies led to significant social upheaval, including a split within the Catholic Church.
• The Byzantine Empire faced decline, culminating in the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453.
• Despite challenges, the 14th century spurred artistic and scientific advancements, coinciding with a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman texts.
• This revival laid the groundwork for the emergence of the Italian Renaissance.