Faith Matters: Some art from our discussion, April 11

Christian art and architecture of the 11th century

As Saving Paradise moves into the middle ages, Professor Bob Pelfrey is introducing us to art not mentioned in the book. On April 11 he began with architecture, sculpture, and manuscript illuminations from the Ottonian period.

After the decline of Charlemagne's direct successors, the empire continued under the Saxons (in the Ottonian dynasty, named for the emperors Otto I, Otto II, and Otto III, who ruled from 919-1024). New masterpieces were created during this era, which blended art traditions inherited from the Late Antique, Carolingian, and Byzantine periods. The art style that emerged came to be known as Ottonian art.

St. Mary's Cathedral in Hildesheim was built between 1010 - 1020. Its symmetrical plan is characteristic of the Romanesque architecture of Old Saxony.

St. Mary's Cathedral in Hildesheim (modern Germany)

The Hildesheim Cathedral Museum owns one of the most extensive collections of medieval treasures in Europe, and the cathedral itself houses numerous works of art. These include the bronze doors (1015), with reliefs from Biblical stories.

The immense bronze doors of Hildesheim Cathedral

Eve tempts Adam (a detail from the bronze doors)

God condemns Adam (a detail from the bronze doors)

Jesus is crucified (a detail from the bronze doors)

Illuminated manuscripts

Illuminated manuscripts were a major art form of the Ottonian period. (Monasteries had the best equipment and talent available, and received direct sponsorship from emperors and bishops.)

Christ and the four evangelists

Note the symbols for the four evangelists in the central mandala:
the eagle above Christ (for John); the lion to the left (for Mark);
the man to the right (for Matthew); and the ox beneath (for Luke)