Western European
There were major changes in art and culture between 1000AD to 1400 AD in Western Europe. These transformations in art and culture had significant impacts on the Western European society in various ways. There was a significant relationship between the existent art and culture because some of the arts reflected the prominent cultural themes in Western Europe.
There were various cultural themes in Western Europe during this period. First there was the formation of new kingdoms that formed the basis of the political development during that period. Some of the major kingdoms formed during this time were the Anglo-Saxon and Frankish kingdoms (Bayard 15). There was high formation of personal characters. The Germanic kings perceived the territories as their private properties. As such, the cultural property in this context was that the existent leadership lacked the sense of the state as a trust or entity of the public.
The existent of profound rural character in the kingdoms was also another cultural theme in the kingdoms. In this cultural theme of ruralization, there were other minor themes I the culture. First, there was an emergence of the concept of manorialism. This theme saw individuals being self-sufficient because of the decline in the monetary economy and commerce. As such, people became dependent on rudimentary exchanges.
Second, there was formation rural institutions and organization of Christianity called monasteries. As such, there was an expansion of the civilization in Western Europe with a blend in cultural themes of rural traditions and Christianity.
The transformations in art played a major role in the cultural change of Western Europe during that period. The change in arts facilitated the development and existence of the culture. First, there was advancement in the form of writing with the development of the Carolingian Minuscule, which was a consistent and clear form of script (Bayard 20). The existent monasteries brought about by the cultural theme of Christianity produced numerous manuscripts most of which were religious texts including copies and commentaries of the Bible and theological works.
There was also the development of gothic art and architecture during this period. This development is attributed to the formation of kingdoms and the rise of emergent strong monarchies. This gothic architecture saw the formation of big stained glass windows, pointed arches, ribbed vaults and soaring ceilings (Bayard 23). As such, kingdoms and kings had strong buildings from this gothic art and architecture.
The formation of the Cathedral of Saint Sophia encompassed a design with a divergence to add 13 domes symbolizing Christ and the 12 disciples. Other monasteries in Christianity such as the basilica of Saint Marco saw the mosaic blends of gothic, byzantine and Romanesque features having a great influence in its reconstruction (Bayard 24).
The embroidering of the Bayeux Tapestry with illustrations of the Battle of Hastings was a significant work of art because the textile depicted all the military events in details. There were also developments in painting. For instance, Giotto, a Florentine painter developed a new naturalism and emphasized on emotions (Bayard 30). As such, the painting of the Arena Chapel exerted strong and lasting influences on the cultural theme of Christianity in Western Europe.
In my perspective, there is a distinct direction of influence between culture and art. That is, I think that the culture plays a role in shaping arts. For instance, the development of Christianity led to advancements in the painting and artwork such as the formation of cathedrals and images of emotion.
Works Cited
Bayard, Caroline. "European cultures: Studies in literature & the arts, vol. I, 1870–1971—1989–1990: German unification and the change in literary discourse." History of European Ideas (2008): n. pag. Print.
