Europe After the Fall of Rome: Early Medieval Art in the West MEDIEVAL EUROPE THE ART OF THE WARRIOR LORDS HIBERNO-SAXON ART CAROLINGIAN ART OTTONIAN ART OTTONIAN ART The eastern part of the former Carolingian empire was consolidated in the middle of the tenth century under the rule of the Ottonians and a period of cultural renewal ensued. In the Aftermath of Charlemagne: Charlemagne was buried in the Palatine Chapel at Aachen. Architecture Ottonian architects built several large abbey churches with towering westworks. In some cases, a modular approach was adopted in the plan, and an alternate-support system introduced in the design of the nave. Towering Ottonian Spires: Ottonian architects followed the course of their Carolingian predecessors. 16-22 Abbey church of Saint Pantaleon, Cologne, Germany, 966–980. interior interior interior interior An Ottonian Bishop in Rome: One of the great patrons of Ottonian art and architecture was Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim, Germany. 16-23 Longitudinal section (top) and plan (bottom) of abbey church of Saint Michael, Hildesheim, Germany, 1001–1031. plan exterior exterior exterior 16-24 Restored nave of Saint Michael's, Hildesheim, Germany, 1001–1031. nave nave nave nave Sculpture Ottonian sculpture includes examples of large-scale bronze reliefs and monumental figural sculpture in wood. Biblical Stories on Colossal Bronze Doors: In 1001, when Bishop Bernward was in Rome visiting the young Otto III, he resided in Ottos's palace on the Aventine hill in the neighborhood of Santa Sabina, an Early Christian church renowned for its carved wooden doors. 16-25 Doors with relief panels (Genesis, left door; life of Christ, right door), commissioned by Bishop Bernward for Saint Michael's, Hildesheim, Germany, 1015. detail detail detail detail An Ottonian Triumphal Column: The great doors of Saint Michael's were not the only large-scale masterpieces of bronze-casting Bernward commissioned. 16-26 Column with reliefs illustrating the life of Christ, commissioned by Bishop Bernward for Saint Michael's, Hildesheim, Germany, ca. 1015–1022. detail detail detail detail Suffering on a Monumental Scale: Nowhere was the revival of interest in monumental sculpture more evident than in the Crucifix. 16-27 Crucifix commissioned by Archbishop Gero for Cologne Cathedral, Germany, ca. 970. crucifix crucifix crucifix crucifix The Art of the Book Manuscript illumination maintains a certain expressiveness, but the movements and gestures of figures are less naturalistic than earlier Carolingian examples. A Royal Lectionary: Ottonian artists carried on the Carolingian tradition of producing sumptuous books for the clergy and the royalty alike. 16-28 Annunciation to the Shepherds, from the Lectionary of Henry II, from Reichenau, Germany, 1002–1014. annunciation annunciation annunciation annunciation The Imperial Ideal in Europe: A picture from the Gospel Book of Otto III, representing the emperor himself, sums up much of what went before the points to what was to come. 16-29 Otto III enthroned, folio 24 recto of the Gospel Book of Otto III, from Trier, Germany, 997–1000. folio 24 folio 24 folio 24 folio 24 MEDIEVAL EUROPE THE ART OF THE WARRIOR LORDS HIBERNO-SAXON ART CAROLINGIAN ART OTTONIAN ART