ah 302 medieval spain

Medieval Spain

Medieval Spain—Objectives

• Describe the characteristics of Visigothic art in Spain• Identify the location of the earliest historiated capitals in

Europe• Explain the Reconquista and its effect on art• Explain the significance of the Church of Santullano• Describe the characteristics of Beatus Manuscripts and

explain their origin and function• Define the term mujedar and identify an example of it

Visigothic Spain

Eagle Fibula

6th C. Spain. Gilded bronze, garnets, amethyst and colored glass. 4.5” high

One of a pair, found in grave of a woman

Visigothic Spain

Crown of King Receswinth

Late 7th C. Spain. Gold, garnets, pearls, sapphires and colored glass. 4” high x 8.5’ in diameter

Letters hanging from crown spell: RECCESVINTHUS REX OFFERET (King Receswinth gave this)

Visigothic Spain

San Pedro de la Nave, Zamora, Spain, c. 680-711

San Pedro de la Nave (St. Peter of the Ship), Zamora, Spain, c. 680-711

San Pedro de la Nave (St. Peter of the Ship), Zamora, Spain, c. 680-711

Historiated capitals—unique in Europe at this time

Christian Reconquest of Spain—the Reconquista

Christian Kings in northern Spain resisted Muslim rule and eventually forced them out of the peninsula.

Lasted 750 years

Ended in 1492 with conquest of Granada by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, ending Muslim rule in Spain

Kingdom of the AsturiasChristian kingdom in north part of Spain. Maintained sovereignty throughout Muslim rule.

Santullano Oviedo, Spain, c. 791 – 842, during reign of Alfonso II

Santullano Oviedo, Spain, c. 791 – 842, during reign of Alfonso II

Santullano Oviedo, Spain, c. 791 – 842, during reign of Alfonso II

Room from Pompeii for comparison

Kingdom of the Asturias

Santa Maria Naranco, Oviedo, Spain c. 848

Structurally a precursor to Romanesque techniques

Built as a country palace, later converted to a church

Santa Maria Naranco, Oviedo, Spain c. 848

Mozarabic Art—Illustrated Commentaries on the Apocalypse by the monk, Beatus of Liébana, 776 – 782.

Thought world would end in 800

Produced by Christians under Christian rule

Stylistically more like Insular than Carolingian, but really a style all their own

Tábara Beatus by Magius and Emeterius, 970

Scene of the Tábara scriptorium

Escorial Beatus by Florentius(?), 10th C., Adam and Eve

Silos Beatus, early 12th C., Christ in the Clouds

Beatus of Ferdinand and Sancha by Facundus, 1047, Woman Clothed in the Sun

Gerona Beatus, by Emeterius and

Ende (a woman!), 975

“Muslim Rider”

Jewish Architecture

Santa Maria la Blanca—13th C? Toledo

Mujadar style—Muslim artists hired by Christians or Jews

Santa Maria la Blanca—13th C? Toledo

Jewish Architecture

Santa Maria la Blanca—13th C? Toledo

El Transito, 1357, Cordoba

Samuel Ha-Levi—patronPrivate place of worship in his residence

Elaborate stucco workInscriptions in Hebrew, Latin, Arabic

El Transito, 1357, Cordoba