So began models or “schools” of images in religious art (like
“schools of thought”). The styles of art
were used for different purposes, mostly for manuscripts such as The Gospels,
prayer books, Psalters, book covers, etc.; however this art can also be found
on coronation thrones, alters, and other decorative details revolving around
religion. Following are the main five
schools of adornment.
The Ada School:
Dedicated to Charlemagne’s sister Ada, these manuscripts
were illuminated, which means the incorporation of ornamental borders; elaborately
adorned capital letters, on initial pages (like a chapter marks a page) for the Gospel of Matthew; and showy illustrations
of Evangelists portraits. These were
written on vellum in the Carolingian minuscule style (see post on Carolingian
Art – Paleography dated 5/26/12). Following
are the three styles in the Ada school.
This is a page from a Gospel Lectionary. A
lectionary is a list or book of only portions of the Bible chosen to be read at a
church service. Coloring has become more
important. There will now be the addition of the
color purple, as well as gold and silver leaf; colors have meaning.
Notice the addition of capitals or columns on both sides of the portrait. Notice the symbol above the portrait. Are you able to identify who this is? (Charlemagne died about 14 years after the Gospel
Lectionary, and his descendents came to power, in 814 AD.)
This is a page from the Gospel of St. Médard of Soissons. The details are more vivid, more
precise. Additionally, there are
pictorial images of stories near the top corners.
Above is an elephant ivory carving on wood book cover from the Lorsch Gospels. It is based on the Gospel story portrayed from
carvings on the Throne of Maximianus in Ravenna, Italy. From the linear segments, it almost appears to be three dimensional instead of being flat.
The Palace School:
It is from Charlemagne’s palace school in Aachen, thus
the name Palace School
Aachen Gospels, c. 820, The
Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN
3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. Wikimedia Commons
We’ve looked at this portrait of The Four Evangelists
previously. Look at it differently this time. The artwork has its roots in the classical
art style—perhaps Classical Greek, after all, they are all wearing togas! Something else to notice is a rational light
source which gives the bodies more depth instead of being flat forms. This is new to the “art scene.”
The Rheims School:
The archbishop of Rheims (Ebbo or Ebo) was also the
librarian and councilor of Louis the Pious.
Louis was the king of Aquitaine and one of Charlemagne’s sons. (It’ about who you know—connections,
connections!) Louis the Pias and Ebbo had quite a history, of which you can
research. The archbishop helped the
spread of Christianity in the north of Europe.
This illustration of Saint
Matthew, from the 9th century Ebbo Gospels in the Municipal Library, Épernay,
France, depicts him writing a Gospel. Giraudon/Art
Resource, NY. , Wikimedia Commons
This image (above) from the Ebbo Gospels was also shown previously, but not in this context. The Ebbo
style of painting was painted swiftly with vibrant brush strokes. This evokes an inspiration and energy unknown
in classical Mediterranean portrait forms. The predominance of green paint is a
departure from the norm.
The Ultrect Psalter, also Book of Psalms, is another Rheims School manuscript. The naturalistic and energetic figure line
drawings were entirely new, and were to become the most influential innovation
of Carolinian art in later periods.
Note that it is drawn in brown ink and not painted. It appears to be rapidly drawn, almost
sketch-like. There is only a hint of
landscape in the background, but it’s understood. Also, there is movement of figures in the
drawing, they aren’t stiff and static.
The end of the Rheims school ended with the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD. This treaty divided Charlemagne’s original Frankish
empire and laid the groundwork for the independent states of France and
Germany. When there is a treaty, there
was a war(s) preceding it. And, that’s
exactly what happened. Brother against brother for power.
The School of Metz :
The time period for the Metz school is ca. 850-875. Charles the Bald was the youngest son of
Louis the Pius of the Rheims School. A
side note is that the word ‘bald’ was a tongue-in-cheek reference to his
landlessness, not to a hairless head!
Charles the Bald had a son named Lothair, who became Abbot of St.
Germain, a Benedictine Abbey located in southern France. This abbey was home of the School of Metz,
which is known for “other” types of manuscript art. It was where the Gregorian chant had its beginnings which followed the Rule of St. Benedict.
This intaglio is made of rock crystal. It is 4 ½” in diameter and is engraved with
eight episodes from the Story of Susanna. It is shown against a red background so the images can be seen easier. The engraved side of the crystal is
slightly convex and the smooth side is flat.
The edges are beveled and it is encased in a round metal frame.
Ca. 869 AD. BnF, Manuscrits, Latin 1152
fol. 3v, École du Palais de Charles le Chauve, Wikipedia Commons
The image above is "Charles the Bald Enthroned." Preserved in its original state, this Psalter
combines the elegance of the copy and luxury paints an exceptional binding. The
recipient, Charles the Bald, is seated on a throne and holding a scepter and a globe, symbols of his office. The color purple, signifying royalty, with gold leaf highlights "attaching" his position to the strength and rule of the church.
Sacramentary of Drogo, Initial C adorned with the Ascension of Christ, ca. 845-855 AD. Wikipedia Commons
The School of Tours:
The Abbey of St. Martin at Tours is where the School of
Tours originated. Remember the name Alcuin who was the leading scholar at Charlemagne’s
Aachen Palace from part one? After his
tenure with Charlemagne, he was made Abbot at St. Martin’s at Tours in 796 AD,
where he remained until his death. It
was said by Einhard, Charlemagne’s biographer, that Alcuin was “The most
learned man anywhere to be found.” He is
also considered among the most important architects of the Carolingian period
and his pupils were many of the dominant intellectuals of the era.
Out of the School of Tours came the large Bibles with
illustrations based on Late Antique Bible illustrations. The best example is called the Vivian Bible. It was the
first Bible hand made specifically for Charles the Bald ca. 845/846AD. It was commissioned by Count Vivien, the lay
abbot of St. Martin, and presented to Charles the Bald in 846 AD on a visit to
the church.
Illustration
from the 'Vivian Bible' presented Charles the Bald surrounded by his courtiers.
Roberts
J. M., The Age of Diverging Traditions, s. 144. (polish translation), Author: Saint-Martin
Monks of Tours, Wikipedia Commons
The library at Saint Martin was destroyed by a Viking
Raid in 853 AD. Only one manuscript
survived and that was the Vivian Bible.
Denis Abbey housed elaborate metalwork from the School of Tours. Because church interiors were very
elaborate, the metal of choice was gold.
As seen in the 15th century painting below, the Denis Abbey was home to a very ostentatious
alter piece. Not only was it gold, it
was embedded with precious stones.
The mass of St. Giles (La Messe de saint Gilles), ca. 1500 AD, The National Gallery, London, Wikimedia Commons.
Why show this painting instead of an image of the real alter? That’s all there is to show that it actually existed
because Denis Abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution in
1789-1799 AD. Another battle/war between
the haves-and-haves-not. In this instance, it was the Roman Catholic churches
apparently on the “haves” side. From this plainting one can see how important adornment was to church interiors; it became their symbol of high regard, worship, adoration and respect.
Art is starting to depict what is happening (St. Giles
saying mass above). This sounds flippant,
but there were no cameras to capture moments in time. Historical context is a way to view art. It still is. (Okay, I’m really starting to sound a little like Sister Wendy―in a
didactic sort of way. Eeeikes!)
Mary B.
P.S. I was
thinking about symbols while driving my car this morning. We are overloaded with them! The golden arches are probably the most
in-your-face symbol. If one looks, you
will see they are still very much being used, and we are considered a literate.
Another I noticed was directional arrow
on a sign. Those symbols, ha, they will always have their place in our lives―imagery
without words!
