Art 1000-1200 AD

Hunchback Holding Staff, Mexico

Jan 1, 1000

This stone sculpture depicts an old man crouched over a staff. Interestingly the staff curves under the man to connect to his feet. The stone work suggests a dependency man may have on his tools; in old age and in general.

Censer, Costa Rica

Jan 1, 1000

This ceramic incense burner uses both form and function to display a working piece of art. Atop the chimney of the burner, sits a crocodile, a commonly depicted animal for Costa Rican culture.

Development of polyphony in music, Europe

Jan 1, 1000

The Winchester Troper is the first manuscript which documents polyphonic style in music. Polyphony allowed for two different melodies to be played at the same time. Up until this point, monophonic music was common with one melody of chants.

First known Christmas Carol, Germany

Jan 1, 1000

The first known, and longest surviving Christmas Carol was recorded to be "sys willekommen heirre kerst." Christmas carols were written by clergymen using religious stories and vocals. The tradition started in this century has carried on until today.

Artwork 1000-1200 AD

Period: Jan 1, 1000 to Jan 1, 1200

Bifolium from the Mashaf al–Hadina, Tunisia

Jan 1, 1019

This is both a visual and literary work of art. The pages come from a Qur’an manuscript. Five lines of calligraphy were used on each page to tell the story of Mohammad and the Muslim faith. The stories from the Qur’an depicted universal truths in morality.

The Classic of Filial Piety, China

Jan 1, 1085

The depicted handscroll is illustred ink on silk. The caligraphy and drawings depict The Classic of Filial Piety, originally written in 350 and 200 B.C., The teachings of the manuscript relate to humility, duty and harmony.

Sailing on the Wu River, China

Jan 1, 1096

This is ink on paper, a handscroll by Mi Fu, the leading calligrapher of China during his time. The image is a combination of poetry and calligraphy to tell a story. It was the artist's longest story at 44 lines long, written in cursive in large characters.

The Goddess Durga, Bangladesh

Jan 1, 1100

The is a stone sculpture made from a very fine, grainy stone called Argillite. The sculpture depicts the Goddess Durga killing a buffalo demon. The depiction represents Hindu teachings.

Paramasukha–Chakrasamvara Mandala, Nepal

Jan 1, 1100

The image depicted is a painting on cloth. Great detail and color surround the central couple Chakrasamvara and Vanjravarahi. The couple belong to Tibetan and Buddhist tradition and are often depicted in an embrace. Their embrace represents bliss and emptiness and the same time. The image represents mythical creatures who display real and human emotion. This image reminds us of R.G. Collingwood’s philosophy which describes the use of imagination to transfer a message in the real world.

Standing Vishnu as Keshava

Jan 1, 1125

This stone sculpture depicts the god, Keshava. The intricate and detailed sculpture includes two other figures, consorts of this standing version of Vishnu. The background of the sculpture includes 10 manifestations of Vishnu, as well.

Krishna's Foster–Mother Yashoda with the Infant Krishna, India

Jan 1, 1125

This bronze cast sculpture depicts a young foster-mother, Yashoda, nursing the infant Krishna. From old mythology, Krishna was saved by his foster mother from the evil King Kamsa of Mathura. Krishna is considered a God who was the most human of all the gods. His story touches on human kindness, tenderness and justice. The sculpture shows the very natural and human quality of motherhood. There is a clear pride from the mother who is able to provide for the child.

Orchids, China

Jan 1, 1127

The depiction of an orchid was created by Ma Lin. The materials used were album leaf, ink and silk. While the image seems plain, the asymmetrical placement of the flower was meant to apply realism techniques to the drawing.

Double Capital, France

Jan 1, 1140

This architecture piece was a transformation from the standard Corinthian column heads that was used to top a pillar. Corinthian columns originated from Roman architecture, and was considered the more artistic décor for a building compared to its predecessors of doric and ionic columns. This white marble piece depicts birds in the corners, the head of a human on one side and the head of a monkey on the other.

Baptismal Font, The Netherlands

Jan 1, 1155

This baptismal font was an integral part of church architecture. Made of dark limestone, four heads are placed on each corner of the bowl. This piece also served both form and function as it was used for baptizing children.

Construction of Notre Dame, France

Dec 6, 1163

The construction of one of the most famous churches in the world began during this time. The Notre Dame is mostly known in the architecture world for its gothic style and flying buttresses. It was the furst building in the world to use this support technique. The cathedral was eventually complete in 1345.

Cloudy Mountain, China

Jan 1, 1174

This ink-dot drawing on a hand scroll was created by Mi Youren, an accomplished scholar-artist who authenticated ancient paintings for the emperor. The drawing was a recreation from one of his father’s works. The image depicts blurry mountains surrounded by clouds, rising in to the sky. The fact that it was an imitation work, reminds us of Aristotle’s “Poetics” in which he claims that it is only natural for man to imitate what he sees.

Beatus Manuscript, Spain

Jan 1, 1180

This is one of several pages from the Book of Revelation, which was illustrated by the Asturian monk Beatus of Lièbana (original in 778). The pictures accompany texts from Christian stories. The book itself recounts the time-old tales of good versus evil in the form of God and Satan. The book as a whole is a literary work of art which represents the battle for morality and humanity.

Incense Burner, Iran

Jan 1, 1181

This bronze cast incense burner is a beautiful design of both form and function. The form includes Arabic inscriptions and detailed decoration. One of the inscriptions reads “Happiness, Prosperity, Well-Being.” The metal sculpture in the form of one our world’s most regal animals possesses a universality of nature.

Embroidered Square with Animals, East Central Asia

Jan 1, 1199

This square embroidery piece is silk thread on silk. It depicts animals and flowers in a colorful display. Nearly all the animals have their head turned backwards, which was a typical characteristic of animal representation during this time in Asia.

Lion and Dragon Aquamanile, Germany

Jan 1, 1200

This sculpture is made of copper and glass and depicts a dragon atop of a lion. It combines form and function as the work of art serves as a water pourer. This combination of a mythical and real world creature shows the true heart of a land where fairy tales were prevalent.