Homework Question on Admission Essays Research Questions
1.Compare the manuscript styles that developed in this period. All of the images of Mathew, for instance, had the same function, to illustrate the opening page of the Gospel of Mathew as both an aid to religious contemplation as well as to provide an aesthetic experience. Do you believe that one of these is more effective than the others? What elements do you feel support your opinion?
2.The Carolingian Renaissance ended with Charlemagne. Why do you think his successors did not pursue the same vision of a “New Rome”? In what ways did medieval European art and architecture depart from classical Roman art and architecture? Did any of the civilizations retain characteristics of Roman art and architecture?
3.The Christian Church was the one unifying authority during this period. To what extent did the church preserve Western Culture and in what ways did they invent something entirely new? Use St. Michael’s Hildesheim as one of your examples
4.Why do you think there was such a strong positive reception of the concept of relics in Romanesque society? Are there modern religious and secular pilgrimage sites? Identify one and explain how its architecture or setting accommodates large numbers of pilgrims.
5.In light of the regional differences found in the art and architecture produced between 1050 and 1200, do you believe that it is accurate to apply a single stylistic label–Romanesque–to all of the objects and monuments? Why or why not?
6.Identify key elements of Romanesque architecture.
Travel back in time to the Romanesque Village of Baraigne in France. Visit
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/sgdelestaing/indexE.htm (Links to an external site.)
Explore the Romanesque church there and explain what makes it a typical Romanesque church and the similarities it has with at least one of the examples in your text.
7.Contrast the focus of life in the early Early Medieval period with the focus during the Romanesque period. What factors sparked the increase in building of churches in Western Europe? What were the various roles of figurative art, both two-dimensional and sculptural, during the Romanesque period?
8.The Bayeux Tapestry & Propaganda- The telling of events both leading up to and the subsequent invasion and victory of the Normans is clearly from the Norman perspective. Is it too strong to label this as propaganda? What is propaganda and do you think this is an appropriate term to describe the tapestry? How much information can we glean from the tapestry regarding social/political/military customs of the time? Visual representations are documents of a culture but how valid are they in giving us an accurate perspective? Think of some representations of our culture that might go down in history as accurate reflections of how we live and what biases they may present to future people.
Homework Answer on Admission Esssay Research Questions
Question 1
The manuscript styles that had been developed during this period served one purpose which is to aid in the religious contemplation and offer aesthetic experience. It means that none was more effective than the other since they were intended for the same purpose. Many of the architectural elements and sculptural resembled the ancient Roman architecture. It means that none was more effective than the other. It is because the art works were made of timber elements some of which were in gothic styles while others were groin and barrel which supports my opinion.
Question 2
It was during Charlemagne reign when a transition took place from the classical period to early medieval civilization. This was because as a leader, he devoted himself to blend various elements into the kingdom. Charlemagne promoted Christianity, the Roman past and the Germany way of living. However, after his death, his successors did not continue with this same vision because of the invasion of barbarian tribes such as Vikings, Magyars and the Muslims who did not believe in Christianity. It resulted into a totally new architecture and art with new structures and sculptures which were different from the Classical Roman art. The invaders did not retain any characteristics of the Roman art and architecture.
Question 3
The Christian Church unified the people during this period. A church such as St. Michael’s Hildesheim preserved the Western Culture by using Romanesque style especially the architecture. It preserved the doubled ended Carolingian feature and maintained the basilical layout. It also had symmetrical designs with elegant lantern towers. Another church that preserved Western Culture was St. Mary’s Cathedral is known for the famous bronze doors a property which is exceptionally interesting and connected to Western culture. Both St. Michael’s Hildesheim and St. Mary’s Cathedral invented two apses which look like the Early Christian basilica churches.