Question 1:

Before the invention of the printing press, books were copied by hand one at a time by illuminators, and the vellum was often embellished with beautiful calligraphy and intricate patterns and designs. Explain why the Church committed such expense and the involvement of such creative effort to produce these beautiful works. Discuss the purpose and use of these works, including information as to who would actually see them and read from them. In addition, consider how the reverence of saints and figures of early Christian history became a significant feature of Romanesque art in many forms. What role did reliquaries play in the production of art objects? What controversies arose in relation to venerated images or cult figures memorialized through art?

Question 2:

The height and distinctive stylistic features of Gothic cathedrals, particularly their expansive stained-glass windows and non-load-bearing walls, were achieved through specific design and construction methods. Identify and explain these breakthroughs in architectural engineering, as well as glassmaking techniques. Discuss how these elements of Gothic churches serve both functional and symbolic purposes. Apart from the construction of religious sites, what were other developments in Gothic architecture? What purposes did these serve? What building traditions were continued or refined?

Be sure to explain your ideas clearly and support them by discussing specific works of art that you have read about this week, talking about how they illustrate and support your ideas.

Here are some of the places and pieces we discussed this week. When using example if possible could you choose from any of these. 

Each question really only needs a couple STRONG paragraphs

Question 1 examples

BOOK OF DURROW

THE BOOK OF KELLS

 WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUNLINDISFARNE GOSPEL BOOK

MATTHEW WRITING HIS GOSPEL, LINDISFARNE GOSPEL BOOK

PICTURE STONES AT JELLING

CREATION AND FALL OF ADAM AND EVE, WEST FAÇADE, MODENA CATHEDRAL

RELIQUARY STATUE OF SAINTE FOY (ST. FAITH)

BSTAGS DRINKING FROM STREAMS FLOWING UNDER THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST

TOWER OF BABEL

CREATION AND FALL OF ADAM AND EVE, WEST FAÇADE, MODENA CATHEDRAL

 Question 2 examples

Detail of the Good Samaritan Window, south aisle of nave, Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Chartres, France. c. 1200–1210. Stained and painted glass.

THE ABBEY CHURCH OF SAINT-DENIS

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

WEST FAÇADE, CHARTRES CATHEDRAL (CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE-DAME)

ROYAL PORTAL, WEST FAÇADE, CHARTRES CATHEDRAL

GOOD SAMARITAN WINDOW

ROSE WINDOW AND LANCETS, NORTH TRANSEPT, CHARTRES CATHEDRAL

UPPER CHAPEL INTERIOR, THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE

HOLOFERNES’ ARMY CROSSING THE EUPHRATES RIVER

Matthew Paris SELFPORTRAIT KNEELING BEFORE THE VIRGIN AND CHILD

SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

CHURCH OF ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY

SHRINE OF THE THREE KINGS

ST. MAURICE in Magdeburg Cathedral

EKKEHARD AND UTA West chapel, Naumburg Cathedral, Germany

Nicola Pisano PULPIT Baptistery, Pisa, Italy

Nicola Pisano ANNUNCIATION, NATIVITY, AND ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS

Giovanni Pisano ANNUNCIATION, NATIVITY, AND ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS

Coppo di Marcovaldo CRUCIFIX

THE MIRACLE OF THE CRIB AT GRECCIO From a cycle of the Life of St. Francis, church of St. Francis, Assisi