Thursday, December 3, 2015

Take Home Test- Chapters 9-11

Multiple Choice
11.    Among the new Byzantine features that appeared in the mosaics at San Vitale is ____.                             B) the absence of solid bodies.
22.    The dome of the Hagia Sophia is supported by ____.               B) Pendentives
33.    At the Cordoba maqsura, the architects experimented with ____ D)decorative, multilobed arches
44.    The Great Mosque at Córdoba has a hypostyle prayer hall with horseshoe-shaped arches adapted from which of the following?                 B) Visigoths  
55.    The positioning of all mosques, no matter period or country, must be oriented toward which of the following cities?            B) Mecca
66.    In the mid-10th century, the eastern part of the Carolingian empire was consolidated under the rule of the ____.       B) Ottonians           
77.    In the image of Saint Matthew from the Ebbo Gospels, the artist merged classical illusionism with ____.          B) the northern linear tradition         
88.    The symbol of Matthew from the Book of Durrow shows frontal head, profile feet, and a cloak and frame that resemble contemporaneous cloisonné metalwork. Which of the following statements explains this work?            B) Wedding the abstraction of early medieval adornment and early Christian and Byzantine pictorial imagery.                

Essay Questions: 10 points each. Answer with at least one paragraph.
1.  Discuss the consequences of the Iconoclasm and its effect on Early Byzantine art. How did the Iconoclasm affect Middle Byzaitine art? Include in your discussion the reasons for the iconoclasm. Use examples to support your essay. Pages 271–272
          The Iconoclasm was the destruction of religious artifacts or icons which were used in worship. A consequence of the Iconoclasm was, we lost some of the historical artifacts that could have helped us to better understand the history of humanity better. In my opinion, the Iconoclasm was purposeful in that it showed the Christians of the time that idol worship, even if you do not consciously know you are doing it, is not what their God wants. It affected Early Byzantine art by erasing existence of portrayals of Jesus Christ, Mary, and the saints, while destroying countless other works from the first years of Christianity. The Iconoclasm is majority of the reason for there not being many documents or collected historical items from the early Byzantine era. The Iconoclasm was condemned in the Middle Byzantine period when two female regents repealed it.

2.  Compare the mosaics of Saint Catherine, Sinai, and San Vitale, Ravenna. What changes have been incorporated into San Vitale, and why? Pages 257, 265–267, and 268–269
            The mosaics of Saint Catherine in Sinai, do not have superfluous backgrounds of decoration like those of the San Vitale. Saint Catherine’s mosaics are elaborate in being mosaics but very simple in design. San Vitale’s mosaics have a lot going on. Changes were incorporated into them to reveal the new Byzantine style and for proxies of the absent historical or Biblical figures.

3.    Compare and contrast the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem with the Mosque of Selim II in Edirne. What are the differences? How do you account for them? Include in your essay the political overtones as well as western artistic influences. Use examples to support your essay. Pages 287–289 and 301–302
          The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is very different from the Mosque of Selim II in Erdine. First, it is in the shape of an octagon with a dome on top. This was the first mosque after Muslims conquered Byzantium and marked the new religion of one of the most popular Jewish and Christian cities in the world. It served as a disrespectful action to Christians and Jews because it was specifically placed near the supposed location of Adam’s grave, where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac, and on the ruins of the Temple of King Solomon. The Mosque of Selim 11 in Erdine, however, was made using strategically placed geometric shapes and units. It was the capital of the Ottoman Empire for many years. It consisted of a large dome, four large, pencil like minarets and a genius interior.


4.    Critically evaluate the bronze doors of the abbey church at Hildesheim. How did they revive a monumental sculptural tradition? What religious and philosophical components went into the iconographic program? What outside influences are also reflected in these doors?  Pages 330–332
          The Bronze doors of the Abbey Church at Hildesheim, were scriptural in that they displayed Biblical scenes and themes on each panel. Some of the images on them were the scene of Adam and Eve and the Crucifixion. Other images or influences on the doors are the redemption of humanity, the expulsion from Paradise, and the infancy and suffering of Christ.

5.    Compare and contrast Carolingian and Ottonian architecture. Consider the development and evolution in architectural styles and attendant sculptural programs. Use specific examples to support your essay. Pages 324–330
                 Carolingian architecture was the first vaulted structure in the northern alps of the Middle Ages. It was built using a simple plan and extensions with root in the center. It was created with a geometric design. They converted an old Byzantine building into one that expressed strength and structure. Ottoman architecture followed the designs of the Carolingians in that they enriched Christianity with their buildings and designs. A great example of this are the Torhalle and the Abbey Church.





Extra Credit
Compare and contrast the Utrecht Psalter with the Lectionary of Henry II. Discuss the subject and the execution. Also consider the period of each work as well as the individual patron of each work.  Pages 311, 323–324, 335–336

The Utrecht Psalter is a very important book with illustrations and writings of Psalm 23. The Lectionary of Henry 11 uses illustrations and landscapes of the Carolingian- Ottoman narratives with the Byzantine background. The two works differ in that the Utrecht had writing or calligraphy and a few simple drawings while the Lectionary of Henry II are simple in design and execution, without any writing. The Lectionary was made in 1002-1014 in Germany when images of Christ, Mary, and any other Biblical character was accepted. The Utrecht was made in 820-835. It was made using loose linear style for dramatic emphasize on the context and occurrences in the text.