Medieval art and architecture Key terms

Medieval art and architecture
Key terms

Relief: An Engraved image, often in ivory

High Relief: an engraved relief, with details that stand out 1/2 their natural depth

Heirochical: The bigger the figure comparatively in a art peice, the greater their power and influence

Caesarpapism. A ruler advertising that they possesed the power and approval of both christ, and the roman state

Contrapposto: a classical art technique where figures were shown shifitng their weight naturalistically on their feet

Basillica: a long Knave flanked with aisles, capped with an apse

Apse high (east) point of a church, had an altar

Clerestary: in the knave, above the aisles, lets in light

East: altar is facing east, and is called so even if not actually

Pendenitive: triangular aches that shift weight from domes to square bases

Milanes construction: had thin motar between bricks, and lined arcades

arcades. A connection of linked arches

Blind arcades: No openings to the outside

Narthex: entrance way to a church, non-sacred lobby

barrel vault: an arch with depth

Neoplatoism: Forms>phiscial reality, spirit>matter
often drawn abstractly, and flatly

ambulatory a walkabout area in a church

Tessarae angled stones, that shimmer

Impost: an extra block put between an arch which raises the high capital

mandorla: secondary almond shaped halo

Survival/revival: of an art style, arguable

Icon: an image of a holy person
Iconostasis: a three tierd screen in front of the altar with holy icons, “painted by angels” and an object of veneration

Relic: an item claimed to be owned ar special to a holy figure, god or saint

pantecrator: God ruling over everything

iconoclasm 740-843 destruction of icons lead by Arabic leo the III
Religious cause: to counter idoltry
Political: to end influence of rich monastaries

ex-voto image, made as an donation or vow, by a influential figure

typical madonna: in byzantine was almond eyes, straight nose, and pursed lips

tryptych: art panel made of 3 parts

Deesis: Throned christ, madonna and john evangelist at side

Macedonian Renaissance 843-1200, revival of math, poetry, verbal arts, linguistics in northern greece

Scriptorium: where manuscripts were copied

Personification: an abstract concept drawn as a human