Fourteenth Century

Pictured to the left is a religious alter-piece done by Simone Martini of Italy. This piece is a beautifully done work that features one of the most popular themes in Christian history, the Annunciation. It features the Angel Gabriel giving the message of Christ’s birth to Mary, and the scene is depicted over a beautiful and impressive background of gold-leaf. One interesting aspect of this work is the fact that Martini literally created the piece with actual written words flowing from Gabriel’s mouth in Mary’s direction, depicting his message to her so that the painting could also be read. Mary sits and quietly listens, looking reverent and modest, and is depicted in blue like always. This painting shows the importance of the Virgin Mary in Christian religion and the significance of the Annunciation scene, as it is a theme that is often repeated.

Gothic

This is a sculpture from the Gothic period that is depicting the Virgin Mary with Christ. She stands in a sort of s-curve posture, which was quite typically for Gothic sculpture. She and the Christ Child are both depicted in rich garments, and she is wearing a large crown. This sculpture shows Mary in a very different way. In previous works of art, Mary is usually shown in a humble or sorrowful way. Here, she is more than Christ’s mother; she is someone to be regarded and worshiped. However, it still follows along with the tradition of sculpting and painting holy women associated with Christ and the bible. Besides the new way that this sculpture depicts Mary, it also shows a more naturalistic side of her and Christ as well. Whereas many figures beforehand were shown flat with little dimension and unexpressive faces, here Mary’s stance and body are both idealistic and naturalistic at the same time.

Romanesque

From the Romanesque period we have the Bayeux Tapestry, which features the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD. The battle was fought between Duke William II of Normandy and King Harold II of England, and it was a battle centered around the conquest of England. Harold II was killed in the battle and King William ended up conquering, giving William control of England. Although the actually tapestry has few depictions of women, this particular section shows a woman and her child trying to escape their burning house, which has been set on fire. Despite the few depictions of women, the impressive tapestry (which is over 230 feet long) was made by talented English craftswomen and consists of embroidered linen with colored thread.

Early Medieval

Okay...I know. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with Medieval art, but honestly after looking at pictures of stained glass and Virgin Mary's for hours...I just kind of gave up on finding something to write about for the Medieval art time period. Maybe it's because this time period is not very interesting to me, and maybe it's because I am completely burned out and ready to graduate next week and the last day of class is tomorrow (tomorrow!). Either way, I wanted to include this photo because although it has absolutely nothing to do with Medieval art, it makes me happy and gets me excited for life after finals and papers and group projects. Yay!

Islam

This particular work for Islam is taken out of their sacred book, the Koran. Women are mentioned often in the Koran, and below are just a few passages that mention women:

"Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them." -Chapter 4, Verse 34

"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them." -Chapter 2, Verse 227

"They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn to Him, and loveth those who have care for cleanness." -Chapter 4, Verse 222

"O Prophet! Tell they wives and they daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed." -Chapter 33, Verse 59

These verses in regards to women depict the beliefs of Islam at the time regarding the conduct of women and relations between a man and a women. These versus can also perhaps be reflections on the beliefs of certain cultures in Islam today.

As I was doing research and reading for this particular subject, I found a lot of anti-Muslim literature in which the Koran was scrutinized and made out to be extremely unjust and sexist. While after reading the above versus that accusation seems to be true, it is important to remember that often the context in a certain verse can often be misinterpreted. I feel like I am more empathetic towards believers of the Koran because of my own experience with my personal religious beliefs and dealing with the anti-Mormon literature that goes along with being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

While I do not agree that women are below men in any way, that a woman's menstrual cycle is an "illness" and men should keep away during that time of the month, or that women should constantly veil themselves in public, I am trying to give the Koran the benefit of the doubt and would like to think that those versus were intended for the overall protection and safety of women, not for their restriction or belittlement in society.

Byzantine

Around 530 CE, Justinian was crowned emperor of the Byzantine empire. His wife Theodora was by his side and crowned augusta, or empress, of the empire. Many argue that she was the most influential and powerful woman of the Byzantine era. In fact, Theodora has her own mosaic housed in the San Vitale, an octagonal-shaped church in Italy that was dedicated the year that Justinian became emperor. San Vitale is known for its amazing mosaics, and Theodora's is no exception. Her mosaic, entitled Empress Theodora and Retinue, is located in the apse of the church, opposite Justinian's. She is pictured with her attendants and holds a chalice, which accompanies the paten (bread basket) that Justinian is holding in his mosaic. The two closest women next to her have detailed faces when compared to the rest of the attendants, and it is believed that they are Theodara's very closest friends. This piece of art is significant because it shows the power and influence this woman had in the Byzantine era, as well as the mixture of the church and the state. The fact that she is depicted in the apse of the church is also significant, considering many representations of women in Christianity are of the Virgin Mary, Eve, and other significant gospel figures.

Early Christian

It its beginnings, Christianity was faced with resistance and enmity. Although the religion spread quickly, Christians were persecuted relentlessly for years. Romans in particular distrusted the religion and as a result persecuted many of Christianity's followers. Romans typically were uninterested in their subjects' religious beliefs, but Christianity hit a sore spot with Rome because Christians were unwilling to worship the pagan Roman gods, and as a result they were seen as traitors to the state. Romans also believed that Christians were atheist because they denied the existence of the Roman gods. For these reasons, it was extremely hard and even very dangerous to be a Christian in the earlier years. This is a fresco of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and it is entitled Virgin and Child. This fresco is very significant in that it is the first known depiction of the Virgin and Child, a subject that would become a common theme in Christian art. A fresco is a wall painting done on wet plaster, and this fresco depicts Mary sitting with the baby Jesus on her lap. Next to Mary stand a figure, which some believe to be Isaiah. The figure points to baby Jesus with one hand and to a star with the other hand, and this is believed to signify the fulfillment of prophesy. In the foreground there are sheep and flowers. This painting was done in 250 CE, which was an especially turbulent time for Christians. In 250 CE an empire-wide persecution of Christians commenced under Emperor Decius of Rome. It wasn't until 312 CE that a decree was made in Milan that finally allowed the toleration of Christianity as a religion.