Medieval Sculpture
"Medieval" and "Middle Ages" are considerably imprecise terms to describe the period of European history from the fall of the Roman Empire in the West in 400 CE to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Although there is lots to cover in this time period, this article focuses on the first few hundred years in this era to truly understand the work of sculptors from Late Antiquity to the European style of Romanesque Art (1000-1200).
The civilization of late Antiquity occupied an area between the Late Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. As the religion of Christianity began to spread, in was soon expressed in monumental Christian art with basilicas and monumental decorations. Many decorated their homes greatly with the decorations. The Basilica Nova had begun in 308 and completed by Constantine. It contained three monumental aisles on a wide platform with a western apse holding a colossal statues of the emperor. This historical piece is meant to describe the imperial ideology and style of the Constantinian period. The depictions of a hieratic court ritual are meant to show the representation of Christ amongst apostles.
Basilica of Constantine, Rome, Late Empire
During the Roman Imperial period, the Christianization of society steadily increased. The first Christian images appeared on the Roman catacombs, the underground cemeteries with evocative names. From these early Christian images, we can tell the tastes and culture of the urban elites. Sarcophagi was placed inside mausoleums in private cemeteries. They were usually carved from marble or porphyry and ornamented with sculptured decoration comparable to great public monuments. These could be bought for anyone who wanted to perpetuate his memory of his lifetime. Among the most prominent examples, the porphyry sarcophagi of Helen and Constantine made between 320-340 displayed the decoration of the riches villas.
Sarcophagi of Helen and Constantine, Roman Imperial Period
This kind of medieval art comes to show the respect and sophistication of varying eras within the Roman Empire. The Romans had such great praise for their superiors and deceased that they created such intricate and laborious monuments in remembrance of them. If I had to choose one word to describe this art in the Roman period in specific, it would be dedication. Without such innovation and motivation, the Romans could have not created such beautiful art to give the medieval period an inspiratory legacy.
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