ART 365: The Art of Medieval Europe

This course is a comprehensive study of the most important examples of visual art in Western Europe from the period spanning the transformation of the late Roman Empire and Byzantium into the High Middle Ages. Emphasis will be placed on the interpretation of the artworks, their overlapping influences, symbolism, and Christianity. Among the topics discussed are: the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals, monasteries and castles, as well as illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, and the ecclesiastical sculpture of these structures. The class will approach these issues through the use of a textbook and supportive readings as well as electronic media images.