Essays on Tympanum

Works of art can communicate critical information on the times in which they were created. Different time periods and different cultural backgrounds provide the stylistic and media elements of a work of art. There may be no specific intent to portray the times, but that is what happens when the artist creates a work of art in a particular artistic period. Examples of art works from two distinctly different times and cultures will demonstrate how the art in the Medieval period of European history and Pop Art from the late mid-20th century differ. The Medieval period in art history ...

Chartres, France

The monuments and architecture in ancient times allow talking and narrating about the historical background from the angle of time in which they were built. Through various signs, they inform us about the prosperity, decline of the reigns and empires as well. Thus, they are the major means of communication. They can tell us a lot about the economic, political and religious circumstances of the specific region. They also narrate the contemporary architectural trend. In medieval Europe, especially in France, the Gothic architecture was at its pinnacle. Cathedral Notre-Dame de Chartres is one of the Gothic architecture examples in ...

Contextual Analysis

Junius Bassus was a Roman politician who gained prominence during his career and was also known as the Urban Prefect of Rome. His artwork, the Sarcophagus is a magnificent piece of art from the Late Antique era. It is of high-quality artistry as well as beautifully detailed to show the interplay of the biblical iconography. Christianity for a long time had a marginal status in the Roman land. In this period, Christianity was very appealing to the desires of many faithful; however, due to monotheism Christians suffered a lot of persecutions. In his artwork, Junius Bassus prominently represents Jesus ...

1. Name two powerful forces molding the development of Romanesque (and Gothic) art and architecture: a. Pilgrimage b. Monastic movement 2. Which cathedral was the starting point to the pilgrimage to Santiago, Spain?

Vezelay cathedral in France

3. What was at Santiago (or maybe who)?

The church in Santiago was believed to house the bones of St James

4. Why did people go on pilgrimages? Cite five reasons. a. to plead for divine help b. to ask for the cure revealed c. to give thanks for favors given d. to ask to forgive their sins e. for the salvation of their souls 5. Whose relics were at Vezelay?

The relics of Mary Magdalene

6. What 3 objects or garments marked ...