11-1 “Chi-rho-iota page, Book of Kells”

            Iona, Scotland

            9^th Century

            This page of the Book of Kells begins the story of the nativity of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. The page is not only covered in embellishing script and abstract patterns, but features interesting illustrations including Half-figures of winged angels, a male head growing out of one of the letters, and several animals. 

11-5 “Wooden portal of the stave church”

            URNES, Norway

            11^th Century

            This intertwining animal and plant relief decoration this Norwegian church portal is Viking in style. This was one of the surviving parts of the original church and was later incorporated into a newer church built a century later.

11-9”High Cross of Muiredach”

            Monasterboice, Ireland

            8^th Century

            This cross, made of sandstone and 18 feet tall, depicts the Crucifixion and Last Judgment themes suited to a Christian burial. There is an inscription at the bottom asking for prayers for a man names Muiredach. 

11-12 “Equestrian portrait of Charlemagne”

            Metz, France

            9^th Century

            This bronze statue of Charlemagne depicts the crowned emperor holding a globe symbolizing world domination. Some believe that this may not have been a statue of Charlemagne at all but instead a statue of his grandson, Charles the Bald.

11-14 “Saint Matthew, folio 18 verso of the Ebbo Gospels”

            Hautvillers, France

            9^th Century

            This painting depicts Saint Matthew who is writing so fast that his clothes are vibrating and his hair is standing on end. The painter blended styles or illusionism with European linear tradition. 

11-15 “Psalm 44, detail of folio 25 recto of the Utrecht Psalter”

            Hautvillers, France

9^th Century

The Latin text tells the psalms of David in three separate columns. The picture itself, shows the animated figures acting out King David’s psalms.

11-22“Saint Michael’s”

Bishop Benward

            Ottonian

            This church is Ottonian basilica in design and features a double transept plan, six towers and a westwork. The transepts were built to create two centers of gravity, and eastern one and a western one. 

11-24 “Doors with relief panels”

            Hildesheim, Germany

            Ottonian

            The relief carvings upon this door, commissioned by Bishop Bernward for Saint Michael’s, depict the story of the original sin and redemption as well as drawing parallels between the Old and New Testaments. More than 15 feet tall, this door was cast out of bronze, each door in a single piece.

11-26 “Otto I presenting Magdebury Cathedral to Christ”

            Magdebury, Germany

            Ottonian

            This work is an ivory panel from an altar or pulpit. Hirearchy of scale is used to depict the only mortal in this panel as smaller than the rest, marking a slight return to an age-old style. 

11-29 “Otto III enthroned, folio 24 recto of the Gospel Book of Otto III”

            Reichenau, Germany

            Ottonian

            This image using Tempera (egg yolks and pigment) on vellum, depicts emperor Otto III holding the scepter and cross-inscribed orb signifying his universal authority. The people depicted on either side of him are the clergy and barons, both supporting him. 

1-7 “Two Bison”

            Le Tuc d’Audoubert, France

            Paleolithic

            Animal representations were much more common in Paleolithic art than human representations were. These bison were sculpted using a stone spatula-like tool and fingers which shaped the details. 

12-13B "Eve"

         Gislebertus

          Romanesque

            This relief was part of the artwork decorating a door lintel at the Cathedral of Saint-Lazarre at Moissac. This artwork depicts Eve, without Adam, traversing the Garden of Eden in a serpent-like manner. 

12-16 “Initial R with knight fighting dragons” (Moralia in Job)

            Citeaux, France

            Romanesque

            This illustration depicts a knight fighting a dragon which was meant to symbolize a monk’s spiritual struggle. This artwork would have been banned by Bernard of Clairvaix, had it not been painted before his prohibitions were put into effect. 

12-19 “Virgin and Child” (Morgan Madonna)

            Auvergne, France

            Romanesque

            This statuette was created as a piece to be placed on chapel altars. Made of wood, it depicts the Virgin as the “Throne of wisdom”. Freestanding statues of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints were fairly rare at the time. 

12-21 “Aerial view of Sant’Ambrogio”

            Milan, Italy

            Romanesque

            This church has low, broad proportions and an atrium, and is very reminiscent of early Christian basilicas. On the nave’s east end, there is an octagonal tower which is more similar to Ottonian crossing towers. 

12-26 “Cathedral complex”

            Pisa, Italy

            Romanesque

            While this cathedral resembles early Christian basilicas in style, it possessed separate bell towers and baptisteries which are Italian features. The upper portion f the baptistery was later remodeled on the outside to have a more Gothic appearance.

12-38 “Battle of Hastings, detail of the Bayeux Tapestry”

            Bayeux, France

            Romanesque

            This tapestry is an embroidery, needlework on linen, art which used eight colors of dyed wool yarn. This scene shows the Battle of Hastings with the Normal cavalry cutting down the English defenders.