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Medieval Painting
In Medieval times,
people concentrated
mainly on the church,
God, and the eternal
life. Life in Medieval
Europe was primitive and
far more difficult than
that of Imperial Rome.
Barbarians ran rough
shod, frequently
slaughtering entire
villages. Society was
subjugated by a single,
uncompromising,
restrictive religion
which discouraged
individualism.
In a society of almost
complete illiteracy,
constant outbreaks of
plague, smallpox,
leprosy, and the ever
present threat of
starvation, the beauty
of art and architecture
was a true sanctuary. The
average peasant was
overcome with devotion
and wonderment upon
entering the local
church and seeing a
magnificent altarpiece
or statue.
Medieval artists
were not simply
anonymous lowly
craftsmen, but well
respects professionals.
They were the rock stars
of their day and
regularly interacted
with Popes and royalty.
Many lived interesting,
scandalous and rather
outrageous lives. They
were the subject of
gossip and innuendo.
The
newly emerging painting
techniques and styles
were a reflection of the
transformation that was
taking place in Europe,
the change from the Dark
Ages to a more
enlightened, tolerant
society. According to
Historian Hendrik van Loon,
"People were
tremendously alive.
Great states were being
founded. Large centres
of commerce were being
developed. High above
the turreted towers of
the castle and the
peaked roof of the
town-hall, rose the
slender spire of the
newly built Gothic
cathedral. Everywhere
the world was in motion.
The high and mighty
gentlemen of the
city-hall, who had just
become conscious of
their own strength (by
way of their recently
acquired riches) were
struggling for more
power with their feudal
masters. "
Paintings were darkly
mystical, infused with
an ethereal emotional
intensity. The mysticism
of the Medieval period
imparts a sense of
uniqueness and wonder to
art. Painters from this
time period had a taste
for the supernatural and
their use of symbols are
mysterious hints and
glances into the shadowy
religious world that lay
behind the grinding
reality of the times. The style is
distinct and clearly
different from the heavy
Renaissance art
produced in in later
generation.
Medieval painters
imparted to their
pictures an orderly and
elegant element and a
splendor of color and
gilding that recall art
of the
Carolingian period. Paintings
from this period are
incredibly mystical, and
completely enchanting.
Artists were innovative
and produced works
of great beauty and
wonder. As
time went on the
style of painting was a
reflection of the
transformation that was
taking place in Europe,
the change from the
unjust feudal system to
a more enlightened, just
society.
Major Medieval
Painters
Duccio
di Buoninsegna
Coppo di Marcovaldo
Barna da Siena
Pietro Lorenzetti
Ambrogio Lorenzetti
Giotto di Bondone
Lippo Memmi
Segna di Buonaventure
Simone Martini
Taddeo di Bartolo
Bartolo di Fredi
Spinello Aretino
Andrea Vanni
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