Summary
Highlights
The Middle Ages spans approximately 1,000 years, from the fall of the Roman Empire around 400 CE to the beginning of the Renaissance in 1400 CE. It is divided into three sections: Early Medieval, Romanesque, and Gothic. The term 'Middle Ages' often carries a negative connotation, implying a period of stagnation between two grander eras, characterized by perceived uncivilized conditions and high illiteracy rates.
The Western Roman Empire was defeated and overrun by northern European tribes, often referred to as barbarians, including Christianized Germans, Slavs, and Celts. This led to the fragmentation of Roman Imperial provinces into various contesting 'Barbarian Kingdoms' like the Franks, Burgundians, Visigoths, Anglo-Saxons, and Lombards. This era lacked the unifying force that characterized the Roman Empire.
In contrast to Western Europe, the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, was thriving under rulers like Justinian. It maintained stability and a consistent artistic style, characterized by glittering, ethereal figures in a heavenly realm. This stability led to a more cohesive artistic tradition compared to the disparate styles emerging in Early Medieval Europe.
Despite the lack of a single unifying style, certain common grounds can be found in Early Medieval European art. These include a strong influence of Christianity in subject matter, lingering vestiges of Greco-Roman antiquities, the distinct style brought by the Northern Barbarian people, and a prevalence of ‘art mobile’ – small-scale, portable metal objects that accommodate a nomadic lifestyle.