Art &Architecture in the Middle Ages

Why did Europeans start building churches in the early middle ages? Why were those early churches called “Romanesque”? When were

Romanesque churches built?

What is a symbol? What is symbolic about the layout of the medieval cathedral?

Why did medieval cathedrals have so much sculpture on them? If you were a person in the middle ages, what message do you think you

would get from the sculpture in the close up photo?

What kind of window is this (round one)? Why did medieval cathedrals have so much stained glass in them?

What are these? Why were they important to the improvement of cathedral architecture? Would you find these in a Romanesque or Gothic cathedral?

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Which cathedral is an example of Romanesque architecture (early middle ages)? Which is an example of Gothic architecture (late middle ages)? Provide at least 3 ways you know you are right for each.

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When were Gothic cathedrals built? Why were Gothic cathedrals able to have so many windows in them without

crumbling and falling over?

A THOUGHT QUESTIONWhat was the purpose of the cathedral in medieval times? Why were

medieval cathedrals called “stone bibles”?

Cologne Cathedral: how long did it take to build this?

What is an illuminated manuscript? Who created them? Why?

Madonna and child

WHAT’S THE POINT?So, in terms of art and architecture, what did the Catholic Church

contribute to European society during the middle ages? Can you spot a THEME or two?

Honors Challenge Required: Identify the name of the church below and explain why it was so significant to medieval architecture. Hint:

the church official who built it was named Abbott Suger.

Bonus ChallengeGot time? Go to…

http://www.learn.columbia.edu/Mcahweb/index-frame.htmland select “quicktime movies” on the bottom. Take a tour of this cathedral (by clicking

on the yellow buttons) and tell me whether it is a Romanesque or Gothic cathedral. Give me five examples to prove you are right.

Then, go back to the home page and select “sculpture program”. Follow the directions so you can listen to the story of one of the sculptures on the church. Tell me about one

story you heard.

Sources for photoshttp://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/arch/contents_europe.html

http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/orion/eng/hst/hist.htmlhttp://www.pitt.edu/~medart/index.html