11/20/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we covered the art and architecture of the Gothic period in western art, which had its biggest influence in northern and western Europe. Gothic architecture introduced a number of stylistic and structural innovations, the most important of which are pointed arches and extensive use of stained glass. The visual orginization used in stained glass also turned up in manuscript illuminations of the time. Figural sculpture continues the trend toward naturalism begun in the Romanesque, in some cases achieving a level of realism not seen since the early Roman Empire. Meanwhile, cities gain wealth, kings in France and England gain power, and artists begin to gain status as professionals.

We devoted the last part of class to reviewing for the next midterm exam, which will cover Early Christian through Gothic art (Book 2).

Important terms- buttress, facade, hall church, jamb, lancet, oculus, parchment, pier, pilaster, plate tracery, polychromy, quatrefoil, sanctuary, scribe, stained glass, transept

These terms and artworks are on the review sheet, but not previously posted on the blog, and may appear on the upcoming exam- colophon, embroidery, pendentive, Chi Rho page (Book of Kells), St Matthew (Coronation and Ebbo Gospels)

These terms are not in the book's glossary, but are described in the chapters about Romanesque and Gothic architecture and will be necessary for labeling the parts of a typical cathedral- choir, crossing, radiating chapel (Note that the textbook often uses the terms radiating chapel and apsidal chapel almost interchangeably, but in cathedral diagrams only uses the term apsidal chapels for the small niche chapels that extend outward off the apse. For the purposes of the exam, apsidal chapels are radiating chapels.)

Important artworks- Abbey Church of Saint-Denis, Cathedral of Notre-Dame (Paris), Chartres Cathedral, Rose of France window (Chartres Cathedral), Jamb Sculptures (Chartres (not Amiens as listed on the distributed review sheet, a remnant from the previous edition of the textbook) and Reims)

Homework- The next current arts event article is due for next week. It is recommended that you read chapters 9 (India) and 10 (China and Korea) in Book 3 to familiarize yourself with the material.

For next class 11/27/10- We will start class by taking the 2nd midterm exam, then move on to the study of non-Western art, with India and depending on how things go, maybe China. Bring a notebook and Book 3.