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Medieval Art History: A Brief Time line.

© George R. Hoelzeman

While I am working on a longer article on Abbot Suger of St. Denis, I will offer the following brief (and sketchy) Time line of the more significant Medieval artworks and architectural achievements. For a more complete online reference with dates and historical information, I recommend the Ecole Library.

Fifth Century AD:

Sack of Rome (AD410), attack of the Huns (435) and final deposition of Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman Emperor in the West (476). Birth of St. Benedict (480-557) Father of Western monasticism. Creation of the mosaics of Sta. Maria Maggiore, Rome, and creation of the first true books (Vatican Virgil, c. 450). Most art continues the Late Roman style.

Sixth Century AD:

Emperors Justin, Justinian and Empress Theodora initiate First Byzantine Golden Age. Construction of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and St. Vitale in Ravenna. Creation of the mosaics at St. Apollinare Classe, Baptistry of the Orthodox, St. Vitale, and St. Apollinare Nuovo (Arian) in Ravenna. Composition of the codex known as the Vienna Genesis.

Seventh Century AD:

Pope Gregory the Great initiates evangelization campaign into northern Europe with St. Augustine of Canterbury. Benedictine Rule and Roman liturgical/artistic usages spread into Gaul and Germany. Irish monasticism spreads insular art to the continent. Islam becomes dominant religion in Arabia.

Eighth Century AD:

First Byzantine Golden Age ends with advent of Iconoclasm. Emperor Leo the Isaurian uses iconoclasm as a response to Islamic threat. Iconophile council of Nicea II declares icons (images) necessary to Christian worship. John Damascene defends use of icons. Insular style (Irish) becomes influential through powerful monasteries like Lindisfarne, Monkswearmouth, Kells and others. Lindisfarne Gospel created in north central Britain.

Ninth Century AD:

Empress Irene ends Iconoclasm. Abbey church of St. Riquier (Centula) influences the pivotal Plan of St. Gall (Aachen, c. 817 - see earlier article). Charlemagne's Palatine Chapel at Aachen. Ebbo Gospel.

Tenth Century AD:

First Romanesque. St. Pantaleon, Cologne. Paris Psalter. Perhaps most significantly, the rise of Cluny and the German Reichenau School which produced the Gero Crucifix (Cologne).

More to come . . .