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Period: 400 to Jan 1, 1492
Medieval Period (Middle Ages)
After the fall of the Roman Empire, there was a period of about one thousand years which was characterized by war, when considerably little progress was made by most European countries. However, the art of this period continued to evolve into styles that are now celebrated today. -
476
Fall of Roman Empire
Romulus Augustus, the last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire is deposed by Odoacer, a Germanic chieftain. (The classical style of Roman Art is in decline.There is a move toward simplification.) -
552
Byzantine Empire moves into Northern Europe
The Byzantine Empire, conquors Itlay while led by Justinian I; the last Eastern Emperor of Rome. (The Byzantine Art created during Justinian's rule is characterized by intricate patterns, rich materials and a focus solely on the powerful leaders of society, as well as religious icons.) -
Jan 1, 674
Arab Seige of Constantinople
The Islamic Armies, growing considerably more porerful under the leadership of the prophet Muhammad, attack the Roman city of Constantinople in what is now Turkey. They are stopped and Europe evades conquest by the Islamic Empire. (Still there are traces of Islamic Art in Europe from thistime period). -
Oct 14, 1066
William the Conqueror Invades England
Edward the Confessor of England promised the crown to William after his death. However, Harold Godwinson had himself crowned king after Edward;s death. William attacked England in order to reclaim the crown which he considered to be rightfully his. Harold was killed in the Battle of Hastings. (The Romanesque Style becomes dominant in Europe). -
Jan 1, 1096
The First Crusade Begins
Launched by Pope Urban the second, the First Crusade called upon the noblemen of Western Europe to fight to reclaim the Holy City of Jerusalem from the Islamic Empire. (The First Crusade took place during a time in which the artists of Medieval Europe became increasingly preoccupied with applying Roman artisstic standards to Christian art. The hugely popular Basillica style of church architecture originated during this period). -
Jan 1, 1117
The University of Oxford is Founded
The oldest university in the English-speaking world (The Oxford buildings built between 1100 and 1400 display the rise of the gothis style). -
Jan 1, 1163
The first cornerstone of Notre Dame de Paris is laid.
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris took approximatly 182 years to build, and was built in the high gothic style. This style is characterized by intricate decoration, the stained glass rose window and flying buttressing to support the walls of the high cathedral. -
Jan 1, 1295
Marco Polo publishes his tales of China.
Marco Polo was a Italian merchant and explorer who travelled to Asia in search of new trade goods. He was later imprisoned and dictated his adventures to his cell mate who recorded his stories. It was through Marco's stories that the Orient became a popular subject in Europe. (During this time period the intense decoration of the gothic period continued to increase. There was also a move toward more naturalistic depictions of people in art that would later characterize the Renaissance.) -
Jan 1, 1347
The Black Plague Ravages Europe
The plague spread quickly through infected fleas on rats, since people had little or no access to proper hygeine. It is estimated that approximatly 20-40% of the population of Europe were killed within the first year of the outbreak. (Artists during this time were beginning to create the type of art that would define the Renaissance. Some would argue that Nicola Pisano created the first true sculpture of the Italian Renaissance with the Piza pulpit in 1260). -
Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus reaches North America.
Columbus was a Spanish sailor and explorer who "discovered North America while searching for a route to Asia. Many historians consider Columbus' "discovery" of North America to be the end of the Medieval Period. (Certainly by this time the Medieval period of art was already in the past as the artists most often associated with the high Renaissance [Michelangelo and Leonardo] were already working. The renaissance was also beginning to spread into the more Northern European countries). -
Otto the Great is crowned Holy Roman Emperor
Otto, a relative of Charlemagne was the next to be crowned Emperor of Germany, after the crown went unclaimed for 40 years after Charlemagne's death. Otto expanded the Ottonian Empire (which was named after him) in Western Europe and increased the power of of the church. (Ottonian art continued to revive Roman ideas and is characterized by attempting to associated the Emperors and Popes of the time witht he Christian heros of their past). -
Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III
Charlemagne's Empire united most of Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire and assisted in the formation of European identity. His power made him a rival of the Byzantine Empire in the East and his rule is associated with a cultural, religious and artistic renaissance in Western Medieval Europe. (The art created during the Carolingian Renaissance embraces the classical Roman art forms of the old empire and sets the stages for the rise of the Romanesque period in art history).
