Early Medieval Art

by Lawrence Nees

Overview

In the first millennium, a rich and distinctive artistic tradition emerged in Europe. Early Medieval Art explores this tradition and tracks its development from c. 300 AD through c. 1000 AD, revealing forms of artistic expression ranging from brilliant illuminated manuscripts to decorative chairs, rich embroidery, and precious metalwork.

Nees explores issues of artist patronage, craftsmanship, holy men and women, monasteries, secular courts, and the expressive and educational roles of artistic creation. Instead of treating early Christian art in the late Roman tradition and the arts of the newly established kingdoms of northern Europe as opposites, he adopts a more holistic view, treating them as different aspects of a larger historical situation. This approach reveals the onset of an exciting new visual relationship between the church and the populace throughout medieval Europe. Moreover, it restores a previously marginalized subject to a central status in our artistic and cultural heritage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192842435
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/18/2002
Series:	Oxford History of Art
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 6.60(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Lawrence Nees is Professor in the Department of Art History at the University of Delaware, where he has taught since 1978. He is the author of The Gundohinus Gospels, A Tainted Mantle: Hercules and the Classical Tradition at the Carolingian Court, and editor of Approaches to Early Medieval Art. He is currently completing a general book on Frankish manuscript illumination.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1. The Roman Language of Art
Chapter 2. Earliest Christian Art
Chapter 3. Conversion
Chapter 4. Art for Aristocrats
Chapter 5. Endings and Beginnings
Chapter 6. Craftsmanship and Artistry
Chapter 7. Saints and Holy Places
Chapter 8. Holy Images
Chapter 9. Word and Image
Chapter 10. Art at Court
Chapter 11. Expressive and Didactic Images
Chapter 12. Towards a New Age
Conclusion
Notes
Further Reading
Timeline
Museums and Websites
List of Illustrations
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This is an invaluable survey of the art of this fascinating and complex period. A brilliant and authoritative account."—Leslie Webster, British Museum

"A wide-ranging, informative, and up-to-date survey of the art of the first millenium. In addition to presenting the visual material he is also generous with explanation, interpretation, and informed speculation."—John Lowden, Courtauld Institute of Art

From the Publisher