Medieval Art History Timeline

Alexamenos Graffito

200

A mocking image of Jesus Christ before the time of Christianity tolerance in the era of Constantine. One of the earliest images of Christ found in the Palatine Hill in Rome.

Roman Catacombs

230

Underground labyrinths used for burials from the 2nd to 6th century. Artistic images could be pagan, Christian, Jewish, or any local religions. Christian images as shown were often small vignettes from the old or new testament.

Dura Europos

256

A fortress city on the eastern edge of the Roman empire, claimed by the Persians and then abandoned in 256. The city shows a mix of religious buildings, including the Temple of Bell, a synagogue, and Christian buildings. Image is the earliest surviving image of Christ as a miracle worker.

Arch of Constantine

312

Arch commemorating the victory of Constantine over Maxentius in the Battle of Milvian Bridge in Rome. This was a historic battle in Constantine's quest to conquer all domains of the Roman empire and become the sole emperor.

Edict of Milan

313

Issued by Constantine for tolerance of Christianity

Old St. Peter's Church

324

Church honoring the Christian martyr St. Peter, built by Constantine in Rome. The church was used as a funerary church and had a characteristic long transept behind the altar. Used spiral columns, the likes of which Bernini copied during the Baroque era to put into the current church that sits at the same site, the Vatican.

The Hippodrome

324

A giant chariot racing arena built by Constantine in Constantinople, made to mimic the Circus Maximus in Rome. Part of the original spiral column placed in the Hippodrome still survives. Three snake heads (from the temple of Delphi) used to sit on the top, dating back to 5th century B.C.E.

Tyche Statues

324

Statues made sometime after 324 C.E. and the founding of Constantinople. The statues personify the four wealthy cities of the time - Constantinople, Antioch, Rome, and Alexandria.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

326

This church in Jerusalem was originally built during the time of Constantine. It was renovated during the Crusades in a Romanesque style with rounded arches.

City of Constantinople dedicated

330

Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople

Constantine I The Great Statue

330

Colossal statue of Emperor Constantine in Rome. Sat in the Roman forum in the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. Today, fragments are preserved in the Capitoline Museum, Rome.

Constantine's Column

330

A massive column made of porphyry dedicated to Constantine, which sat in the forum of Constantinople. Constantine is depicted in both Roman and Christian terms - sun rays reference Apollo, yet he holds pieces of the original cross of Jesus Christ in orb form.

St. Paul's Church

350

Church built under Constantine in Rome to honor another martyr of Christianity, St. Paul. This church was built sometimes after Old St. Peter's church and imitated a similar style.

Constantina's Sarcophagus

354

Sarcophagus of (most likely) Constantina, daughter of Constantine. The sarcophagus is made of porphyry, an expensive purple stone used for imperial families. Images are pagan motifs of grape gathering and of putti.

Column of Theodosius

380

An old Egyptian obelisk column brought to the Hippodrome by emperor Theodosius, the emperor following Constantine. The original column dates back to 1450 B.C.E.. Images are similar to those in Constantine's arch - figures are cookie-cutter, facing forward, and symmetrical.

Theodosius's Votive Platter

388

A platter made of silver to commemorate emperor Theodosius, the first emperor to make Christianity a state religion. Images show emperor Theodosius as large and the German imperial guard in the background, as well as pagan figures near the bottom.

Simeon the Stylite's Church

400

Church built in the 5th century commemorating Simeon, one of the original stylites (column sitters) who lived a life of depravity for Christianity. Marks the roots of Christianity appearing in the deserts of East Asia.

Vienna Genesis

500

A purple manuscript preserved on parchment paper (made of animal skin) made in the Eastern Mediterranean. The images tell the story of Genesis in the Old Testament using a continuous narrative style. An example of the opulence of luxury manuscripts in the Byzantine Empire.

Ostrogothic brooch

500

An Ostrogothic relic of the migration era after the Roman empire fell, dated sometime in the 5th/6th century. This brooch was part of the Domagano treasure. Notable elements are the expert gold and silver craftsmanship and the use of precious stones (garnets and emeralds).

Arian Baptistry

500

A mosaic on the ceiling of an Arian baptistry in Ravenna, built during the time of King Theoderic. The image shows the first baptism of Jesus Christ, with John the Baptist on the right and the River Jordan personified on the left.

Church of Sant'Appollinare Nuovo

500

A church built under the leadership of Theoderic, King of the Ostrogoths, in Ravenna. The church is rich with mosaics, notably the procession of female and male saints to Mary and Christ respectively.

Monastery of St. Catherine

500

A monastery built under Justinian at Mt. Sinai, Egypt. The monastery was built near the site of Moses and the Burning Bush and is still active today. It has one of the best surviving collections of Byzantine icons documented by UM professors.

Vienna Dioscorides

512

A luxury manuscript made for Anicia Juliana, a Byzantine princess. Figures are realistic and front facing, and colors are vibrant. An example of luxury arts in the Byzantine Empire.

Masoleum of Theoderic

520

A masoleum to commemorate Theoderic, king of the Ostrogoths, in Ravenna. The stone at the top is a massive carved single stone.

Hagia Sophia

537

A world famous church built in Constantinople under Byzantine emperor Justinian. The church has a large open dome and many windows that play with light in the nave. The Hagia Sophia stayed a church until 1453, when it became a mosque and minarets were added, and then became a museum before recently reverting back to a mosque.

San Vitale in Ravenna

547

A Byzantine church built under the leadership of Justinian. The church is octagonal with famous mosaics of Justinian and Theodora, his wife.

Skellig Michael Monastery

600

Celtic monastery on the island of Michael's Rock off the coast of Ireland. This monastery survived the Viking raids and was typical of Celtic Christianity (communal monasteries, ascetic life).

Sutton Hoo Ship Burial

625

A ship burial found as a series of mounds in England, 1939. The ship was of Anglo Saxon Germanic tribes, likely as a burial site for King Redwald. The dig yielded enormous treasure, such as the solid gold buckle below, complete with characteristic animal forms and interlace.

Monastery of Jouarre

630

One of the few surviving pieces of Merovingian architecture. Merovingians were a Frankish kingdom with a capital in Lutetia (present day Paris) before Charlemagne. Merovingian architecture reused old Roman building materials.

Staffordshire Hoard

650

Largest Anglo-Saxon hoard found in East Anglia, totaling over 4,000 pieces.

Book of Durrow

675

A manuscript held in the Monastery of Durrow, Ireland. One of the Hiberno-Saxon manuscripts that combined elements of Celtic, Germanic, and Roman (Byzantine) art.

San Pedro de la Nave

680

One of the only surviving Visigothic churches surviving in the north of Spain. Visigothic architecture was boxy and rectangular. Most buildings were destroyed in the Islamic conquest of the 700s.

Gelasian Sacramentary

750

One of the many surviving Merovingian manuscripts. Key characteristics include a focus on architecture, animal forms, and a playful, colorful nature.

Great Mosque of Cordoba

785

This mosque was built by Abd ar-Rahman I during the Islamic rule of Spain. Previously, this site had been a roman temple and then a Visigothic church. After the Christian Reconquista, a cathedral was built in the middle of the compound. Characteristic Spanish Islamic influence are the alternating-color horseshoe columns and detailed engravings in the mihrab.

Beatus of Liebana

798

A famous Christian manuscript in Spain made in Cordoba with scenes depicting the apocalypse. 32 manuscripts survive from this collection. Characteristic Spanish manuscripts had bright colors like this one.

Palace Chapel of Aachen

800

Palace of Charlemagne in Aachen, the center of the Holy Roman Empire. The Palace was heavily modeled off of San Vitale, the church of Justinian in Ravenna. The Palace has huge bronze doors and a pinecone fountain, similar to St. Peter's Church in Rome from Constantine.

Coronation Gospels

800

Manuscript made for Charlemagne by visiting artists. Very grand and vibrant gospel book made with royal colors. Under the Carolingians, our modern form of writing (Times New Roman) appeared.

Gospel Book of Ebo

830

Another example of a Carolingian Manuscript later in the empire's rule. Compared to the Coronation Gospels, there is much more movement in this manuscript.

Gokstad Viking Ship Burial

900

A Viking ship burial in Gokstad, Norway. Remains of a skeleton and battle gear were found.

Church of Cluny

915

The mother church of Benedictian order monasteries in France. This church answered directly to the Pope and was also wealthy and lavish. Only the abbey survives today (the rest was taken apart during the French Revolution).

Rune Stones of Jelling

958

Viking stones made under the reign of King Harold Bluetooth. The stones are evidence of the Viking conversion to Christianity.

Crown of the Holy Roman Empire

962

Heavily jeweled crown used for imperial coronations in the Holy Roman Empire.

Essen Madonna

980

This gold coated Madonna was the first free standing sculpture of the Virgin and child from North of the Alps. This sculpture was housed in the women's church of Essen, Germany (Holy Roman Empire). The Romanesque era was when statues of the virgin Mary and child became popular.

Bronze Doors of Hildesheim

1015

These bronze doors were built by Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim, Germany during the Holy Roman Empire. The bronze relief tells the stories of the Old and New testament in Ottonian narrative style.

Bapistry, Cathedral, and Leaning Tower of Pisa

1063

All three of these buildings built in Italy were of the Romanesque style. The baptistry has carvings on the outside ad the church has rounded arches with striped columns.

Bayeux Tapestry

1066

A rich, long tapestry illustrating the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The French Duke of Normandy killed the English King Harold II which marked the end of the Anglo Saxon dynasty.

Tower of London

1075

A fortress and castle built by William the Conqueror of France after the Norman Conquest of England.

Santiago de Compostela

1100

A famous church in Spain that was the ending point for Christian pilgrimages. The church operated when pilgrimages became popular during Romanesque era and was the first time we see carvings on the facade of the church. The current facade was rebuilt in the 18th century.

Borgund Stave Church

1100

This is the best preserved Scandinavian stave church in Norway. Gothic churches in Scandinavia looked like this, built out of wood in a pointy layered style like pagodas. Wall paintings were used instead of stained glass.

Manuscript of Gregory the Great

1111

This Cistercian manuscript book was started in c. 604 and hence contains many embellishments, colors, and figures. Romanesque manuscripts often emphasized the first letter of a word. In this manuscript, the initials show fantasy scenes with dragons and aristocrats, as well as some of monastic life.

Cathedral of Amiens

1120

This Gothic cathedral of Northern France was damaged in WWII but never rebuilt. This gothic style is more complex, with a high elevation and flying buttresses for support. The Cathedral uses white light instead of stained glass.

Cathedral of Autun

1130

This cathedral in France was one of the heights of Romanesque sculpture and architecture. The style is geometric and massive with pointed arches (more common in the later Gothic style). The portal depicts vivid scenes from heaven and hell.

Bible of Bury St. Edmunds

1135

This magnificent bible was made by Master Hugo, a visiting artist to the Bury St. Edmunds Benedictian Monastery in England. The Romanesque era was a time of great, large bibles and this is no exception.

Monastery of Fontenay

1140

Monastery complex of the Cistercian order in France. In contrast with the Benedictian order, the Cistercians were non-ornamental, simple, and against wealth in the church. Monks often did manual labor.

Abbey Church of St. Denis

1140

This Benedictine monastery is thought to be the birthplace of Gothic architecture. The church sits seven miles north of Paris and was the site of an old Carolingian Church before being rebuilt by Abbot Sugar in 1140. This becomes a pilgrimage site where kings of France are buried.

Chartres Cathredral

1140

This cathedral in Chartres, France is a famous example of the early gothic style. The West facade is in classic old gothic style with a rose window. The Cathedral was also a famous school and hosts the famous Virgin Mary's tunic relic.

Stavelot Triptych

1156

This tryptic is an example of metalwork during the Romanesque era. The center of metalwork was in modern day Belgium - characteristic "Belgian" style includes gold mounting. The two center panels are believed to be fragments of the True Cross of Christ.

Notre Dame Cathedral

1163

The cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris is built in the high gothic style with intricate tracery. It was plundered during the French Revolution and restored with sculptures, chimeras, and gargoyles afterward. The spire was destroyed in a fire in 2019.

Krak des Chevaliers

1180

A medieval castle from the time of the Crusades that still survives in Syria. Some gothic elements were added in 1250 .

Reims Cathedral

1211

The Reims Cathedral was built in the high gothic style and served as the coronation church for royalty of France. The facade is highly sculptured with famous gothic jamb sculptures showing the visitation of Mary. The Cathedral was greatly destroyed in WWII.

Westminster Abbey

1245

This gothic abbey is the coronation church of England. It was built in the high gothic style with inspiration from French gothic cathedrals of the time.

Sainte Chapelle

1248

Sainte Chapelle was built in Paris under King Louis IX. It is famous for its extensive stained glass with virtually no walls. It is built in the Rayonnant style with repetitive design work. The building was also gutted during the French revolution but restored.

Book of Hours of Jeanne d'Evrex

1325

A book of hours was a small prayer book passed down through families in medieval times. The book was made by illuminators and personalized with prayers. This book was made for Jeanne d'Evrex, wife of Charles IV of the French dynasty. The book was illustrated by Jean Pucelle.

St. Vitus Cathedral

1344

This Cathedral was built in Prague by the Parlor family of architects during the reign of Charles IV (of Bohemia) as the Holy Roman Emperor. It is neo-gothic in style, with zig-zag rib vaulting.

Christine de Pizan

1364

Christine de Pizan was a famous woman artists who illustrated manuscripts. A widow in Paris, she sought the patronage of France's high court and was commissioned to write the biography of Charles V. She appears in her own manuscripts, usually as a woman in a blue dress.

Grandes Chroniques

1375

This manuscript was made by Charles V in an effort to rewrite history. The book shows the new Valios dynasty of France as more legitimate and less unstable.

Canterbury Cathedral

1400

The Canterbury Cathedral is a gothic church built in the English gothic perpendicular style. It is the site of St. Thomas Becket's bones (the archbishop of Canterbury).

Phillip the Bold Statue

1404

This statue of Phillip the Bold (Duke of Burgundy) was made by famous sculptor Claus Sluter. Sluter was known for his use of folds in rhythmic patterns. Sluter was also known for his Dynamic Virgin Mary and the Well of Moses.

Canterbury Tales

1410

The Canterbury Tales, formally the Ellesmere manuscript, is a gothic manuscript of England. Characteristic gothic style includes filling the margins, spiky letters and designs, small initials, and a small range of color

Tres Riches Heures

1415

A very rich Book of Hours made for the Duke of Berry, a passionate art collector. The book was painted by the Limbourg brothers of Netherland. The book is in a calendar format with one picture/month showing scenes of the aristocracy and peasantry.

The Louvre

1550

The Louvre sat outside the walls of Paris and was built in the gothic style in the 1500s. In the 19th century it was made into a museum. The medieval Louvre was a fairy tale like castle.