ARTH-1414 Art and Architecture of the Middle Ages

The emergence of Christianity in the late Roman world, followed by the rise of Islam in the seventh century, raised profound questions for artists, architects, and their patrons: How ought divinity be represented? How might rulers convey their worldly power? What forms should places of worship take? This course explores how these issues, and others, were addressed through the art and architecture of the Middle Ages, from early Christian and Jewish imagery of the fourth century to late Gothic court art, produced around 1400. A wide range of objects in various media, including mosaics, manuscripts, textiles, goldsmiths' work, and ivories, together with a selection of buildings and other sites, are considered in relation to their social, political, religious, and historical contexts. (Also listed as GRST 1414.)