CHAPTER FIFTEEN EARLY MEDIEVAL ART IN EUROPE
Multiple Choice
1. The Book of Kells (Fig. 15-1) was produced on
A. papyrus.
B. paper.
C. deckles.
D. vellum.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. A cornerstone of Christian philosophy is the text of
A. The City of God.
B. The Realm of the Lord.
C. The Gospel of Paul.
D. The Word of Matthew.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Early Middle Ages
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
3. What is was the most likely use of the Lindisfarne Gospel Book?
A. It was the primary reference used by monks at the monastery at Lindisfarne.
B. It was read during liturgical services by the bishop of Lindisfarne.
C. It was carried during processionals and displayed on the altar.
D. It was used by a wealthy patron in private devotion.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Early Medieval art.
Topic: The Early Christian Art of the British Isles, Illustrated Books
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
4. Christians in the Muslim territories were called
A. Mozarabs.
B. Mesopotamians.
C. Israelites.
D. Iranians.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Mozarabic Art in Spain
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
5. Which work is an example of the technique known as repoussé?
A. Equestrian Portrait of Charles the Bald (?) (Fig. 15-16)
B. Crucifixion with Angels and Mourning Figures (Fig. 15-23)
C. Otto I Presenting Magdeburg Cathedral to Christ (Fig. 15-24)
D. Gero Crucifix (Fig. 15-26)
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Metalwork
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
6. The page from the Ebbo Gospels (Fig. 15-21) shows St. Matthew receiving the Word of God from his symbol, the distant
A. lion.
B. lamb.
C. angel.
D. physician.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.b Interpret the meaning of works of Early Medieval art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire, Illustrated Books
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. Seafaring bands of Norse seamen were called
A. Scandinavians.
B. Danes.
C. Vikings.
D. Soviets.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Viking Era
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
8. Why did Celtic Christians develop their own liturgical practices and distinctive artistic traditions?
A. They refused to accept the authority of Bishop of Rome.
B. They had little contact with Rome until the sixth century.
C. Celtic mythological beliefs prevailed over Christianity among the general population.
D. Celtic rulers imposed strict regulations in terms of language and iconography.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Early Christian Art of the British Isles
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
9. On the page from the Lindisfarne Gospel Book, Matthew Writing His Gospel (Fig. 15-8), what suggests a break with Roman traditions?
A. iconography
B. blank background
C. modeling drapery
D. intuitive perspective
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 15.e Interpret a work of Early Medieval art using the appropriate art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: The Early Christian Art of the British Isles, Illustrated Books
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
10. Maius’s illustrations for Beatus’s Commentary on the Apocalypse (Fig. 15-15) reveals the bold patterns and colorful forms of the
A. animal style.
B. Mozarabic style.
C. classicizing style.
D. Carolingian style.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Beatus Manuscripts
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
11. Which Roman prototype provided an artistic model for realizing Charlemagne’s vision of “the Renewal of the Roman Empire”?
A. equestrian portraits
B. royal rune stones
C. ivory plaques
D. illustrated manuscripts
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
12. The animated poses of the angels and mourners on the cover of the Lindau Gospels are similar to the energetic expressionism of
A. the Book of Durrow.
B. the Coronation Gospels.
C. the Utrecht Psalter.
D. the Gospels of Otto III.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.e Interpret a work of Early Medieval art using the appropriate art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Metalwork
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
13. What structure is at the center of the Saint Gall plan (Fig. 15-19), which reflects the basic design used in the layout of medieval monasteries?
A. a large basilican church
B. the monk’s living quarters
C. a cloister
D. the dining room
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Early Medieval art.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire, Architecture
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
14. Why did many Ottonian cathedrals burn down in the eleventh century?
A. Muslim invaders destroyed them.
B. The number of wooden sculptures made them susceptible to fire.
C. Riots protesting imperial rule led to massive destruction.
D. Their timber roofs made them susceptible to fire.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Ottonian Europe, Architecture
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
15. What is notable about the Doors of Bishop Bernward in Hildesheim (Fig. 15-27)?
A. The artists used a strict pre-Christian, iconographical program to relay the narrative.
B. They were the most complex bronze-casting project undertaken since antiquity.
C. They were inspired by the Byzantine use of narrative sculpture relief.
D. The monastic collaboration included the employment of secular artists.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Sculpture
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
16. Which style influenced the sharply outlined drawings and lavish fields of gold in the Hitda Gospels (Fig. 15-28) and the Gospels of Otto III (Fig. 15-29)?
A. Islamic
B. Hiberno-Saxon
C. Byzantine
D. Early Christian
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.e Interpret a work of Early Medieval art using the appropriate art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Ottonian Europe, Illustrated Books
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
17. Which artistic style was a fusion of Celtic, Romanized British, Germanic, and Norse traditions?
A. barbarian
B. Carolingian
C. Hiberno-Saxon
D. Frank
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.e Interpret a work of Early Medieval art using the appropriate art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Celts and Anglo-Saxons in Britain
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
18. Charlemagne established a dynasty and an empire known today as the
A. Carolingian.
B. Ottonian.
C. Merovingian.
D. Frankish.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 15.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts used to discuss Early Medieval art, artists, and art history.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
19. Which plan did most Carolingian churches follow?
A. martyrium
B. cross
C. basilican
D. central
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Architecture
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
20. Which work—one of the most famous Carolingian manuscripts—uses ink drawings to illustrate the words and images of individual psalms literally?
A. Ebbo Gospels
B. Book of Durrow
C. Lindisfarne Gospel Book
D. Utrecht Psalter
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 15.e Interpret a work of Early Medieval art using the appropriate art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Carolingian Empire, Illustrated Books
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
21. Much Scandinavian architecture consisted of wooden frames filled with
A. mortar.
B. waddle-and-daub.
C. runes.
D. louver.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Timber Architecture
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
22. In the early 900s, a new Saxon dynasty came to power in lands corresponding roughly to present-day Germany and Austria; this dynasty was known as the
A. Ottonians.
B. Hiberno-Saxons.
C. Merovingians.
D. Carolingians.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Ottonians
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
23. Supported by the Carolingians, the most dominant form of monasticism throughout Europe became
A. Merovingian.
B. Benedictine.
C. Celtic.
D. Ionian.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
24. Which design is seen in the Gummersmark Brooch (Fig. 15-3)?
A. words and initials
B. warrior and rulers
C. crosses and circles
D. monsters and beasts
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 15.b Interpret the meaning of works of Early Medieval art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: The Norse
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
25. Monumental stone crosses were influenced by
A. metalworking traditions.
B. architecture.
C. imperial sculpture.
D. catacomb painting.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 15.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts used to discuss Early Medieval art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Irish High Crosses
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Short Answer
1. How does the life of Galla Placidia bring the fall of the Roman Empire to life?
Answer: She was in Rome when it was sacked in 410. She married the Goth king, who was murdered, and then she was married and widowed again. Galla ruled the Western Empire as regent until her death.
Learning Objective: 15.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Early Medieval art.
Topic: The Early Middle Ages
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. What time period is considered to be the Middle Ages?
Answer: The 1,000-year period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the emergence of the Italian Renaissance is referred to as the Middle Ages. The connotation of the term is the humanist idea that the Middle Ages were dark and barbaric.
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Early Middle Ages
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
3. How did the “barbarians” use animal style in their art?
Answer: Luxury items in metal, such as jewelry, brooches, clasps, and weapons highlight the technical skill and stylized design. The designs are symmetrical and the animals are depicted in entirety in profile or from above.
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Norse
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
4. What artifacts were contained in the burial ship at Sutton Hoo?
Answer: The large burial ship excavated at Sutton Hoo contained musical instruments, helmets and weapons, and sophisticated ornaments in gold and glass.
Learning Objective: 15.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts used to discuss Early Medieval art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Celts and Anglo-Saxons in Britain
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
5. What was the result of St. Augustine’s successful mission?
Answer: Christianity spread through the British Isles and Christian symbolism mixed with local traditions.
Learning Objective: 15.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Early Medieval art.
Topic: The Early Christian Art of the British Isles
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
6. What were the special needs of a monastic community?
Answer: Monastic communities centered on prayer and work and demanded seclusion. The architecture had to accommodate monks throughout the night and day.
Learning Objective: 15.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Early Medieval art.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire, Architecture
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. Why were manuscript covers often reused or stolen?
Answer: They were made out of precious materials, such as ivory, enamelwork, metals, jewels, gold, etc. They were extremely value and often recycled.
Learning Objective: 15.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts used to discuss Early Medieval art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Metalwork
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. How does the Gero Crucifix (Fig. 15-26) appeal emotionally to viewers?
Answer: The body of Christ hangs and sags on the cross, and his head falls forward. His eyes are closed, and the straight drapery contrasts with the curving torso and bloodied hands.
Learning Objective: 15.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Early Medieval art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Sculpture
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
9. What did the Oseberg ship contain, and what was its intended use?
Answer: The ship was used for burials of two women and built to sail or be oared in the fjords. The ship originally contained jewelry and precious objects as well as a cart and sleds.
Learning Objective: 15.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts used to discuss Early Medieval art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Carving in Wood and Stone
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
10. What do the Doors of Bishop Bernward depict (Fig. 15-27)?
Answer: The doors portray events from the Hebrew Bible on the left and the New Testament on the right. The doors have lion-headed ring handles.
Learning Objective: 15.b Interpret the meaning of works of Early Medieval art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Sculpture
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Essay
1. How do the arts of the Carolingian dynasty compare with those of the Ottonian dynasty?
Answer:
1. Carolingian and Ottonian monks and nuns created richly illuminated manuscripts funded by secular rulers.
2. Ottonian painters were heavily influenced by Byzantine art with sharp outlines and gold leaf.
3. Carolingian books were influenced more heavily by Greco-Roman sources, as seen in the idealized figures and rudimentary perspective.
4. Both focused on the Gospels and psalms to spread the Christian narrative.
Learning Objective: 15.e Interpret a work of Early Medieval art using the appropriate art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire; Ottonian Empire
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
2. How did the Vikings affect the art world? What specific artistic trends did they set?
Answer:
1. The Vikings raided and traded with vast territories, including Constantinople, Russia, Britain, Scandinavia, and mainland Europe.
2. Artists developed a new style that combined interlacing foliage and ribbons with animals that are recognizable.
3. Christian imagery was incorporated into Viking art and architecture.
4. The Vikings excelled at fiber arts, including tapestries, sails, and embroidery.
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Viking Era
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
3. What influences of the Roman Empire were seen in the Carolingian and Ottonian dynasties?
Answer:
1. Pope Leo III crowned the Carolingian king Charlemagne as first Christian emperor.
2. Charlemagne initiated a massive building project around the empire based on Roman, Early Christian, and northern styles.
3. Illustrated books of the dynasties incorporated styles, perspectives, colors, and compositions based on Roman traditions.
4. Luxury goods and works in metal, such as the Doors of Bishop Bernward (Fig. 15-27), used a realistic style with emphasis on individual narratives.
Learning Objective: 15.c Relate Early Medieval art and artists to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: The Carolingian Empire; Ottonian Empire
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
4. Describe the Mozarabic style in Spain.
Answer:
1. Christians in Islamic territories incorporated Islamic features into their art.
2. As seen in Woman Clothed with the Sun (Fig. 15-14), the bright colors and composition mimic Islamic manuscripts.
3. Christian iconography is represented in the Battle of the Bird and the Serpent from Beatus’s Commentary on the Apocalypse (Fig. 15-15), such as the bird (Christ) and the snake (Satan).
4. The abstract, stock figures are modeled in the Byzantine style.
Learning Objective: 15.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Early Medieval art.
Topic: Mozarabic Art in Spain
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
5. Discuss the design, iconography, and purpose of the illustrated books of the Early Christian British Isles.
Answer:
1. The Book of Durrow includes Hiberno-Saxon design for the four Gospels with Roman Christian iconography.
2. Animal iconography is used to inform the viewer of the Christian narratives.
3. The books, such as the Book of Kells (Fig. 15-1), were used for ceremonial purposes in monasteries and by royal households.
4. Abstract patterns of spirals, crosses, vines, and letters were incorporated into the pages.
Learning Objective: 15.e Interpret a work of Early Medieval art using the appropriate art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: The Early Christian Art of the British Isles
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
.png)