The History of Architecture - Assignment Example

Essay Questions Q During the early medieval, plain exteriors were essential in characterising architecture. The entrances were impressive and elaborate; both during the Carolingian period and beyond. It is critical to note that the elaborate entrances, west-works, were essential in setting the tone for the later Romanesque and Gothic facades. For various centuries, ancient Rome was one of the most powerful nations on the planet considering its military organisation, warfare, engineering, and architecture. Rome focuses on utilising its unique cultural achievements inclusive of the invention of dome and groin vault. Some of the major aspects of art and architecture during the early Roman period include Circus Maximus, Colosseum, Baths of Trajan and the Arch of Titus. Vespasian built Colosseum in the centre of Rome with the intention of appeasing the masses. The piece of art was named after the colossal statue of Nero in the nearby location. Furthermore, the piece of art seats 50,000 spectators. The piece of art focuses on the use of its intricate design and model system of tiered seating and spacious passageways to come out as one of the greatest works of Roman architecture. From that perspective, Colosseum forms one of the critical sights of the Grand Tour during the 18th century. Second, the arch of Titus comes out as the oldest surviving Roman triumphal arch built after the death of the young Emperor with the intention of celebrating his suppression of the Jewish uprising in the case of Judea, in 70 CE. The Arch of Titus is the model for the Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Similarly, it is essential to focus on the illustration of the case of Circus Maximus, which was built in the age of Julius Caesar with the intention of seating an estimated 150,000 spectators. Integration of the Carolingian art and architecture was essential in the course of transforming or reviving the Roman pattern. That is through the utilisation of large scale and geometric order of the transformation or revival of the Roman pattern. Remarkably, Carolingian art and architecture was essential in the fragmentation of the classical detail applied decoratively in the transformation of the Roman art and pattern, thus the improvement of the art and architecture during the medieval period. Q 2 It is essential to evaluate the most important technological innovations and sociocultural formulations, which made the ‘Age of Cathedrals’ (Gothic art and architecture) possible. The response will incorporate three various works of the Gothic art and architecture for effectiveness and efficiency in the evaluation of the technological and sociocultural formulations of the art period. Gothic art and architecture focused on providing solutions to various unpleasant problems through the creation of light, pleasant and modest architectural structures. Prior to the art and architecture period, artistry was functional. Incorporation of the architecture period was essential in making architecture beautiful. In the first instance, it is essential to note that Gothic art and architecture period was vital in the utilisation of grand and tall designs, which were crucial in sweeping upwards with height and grandeur (Stokstad and Cothren 520). It is evident in the case of the York Minister in the United Kingdom. Prior to the gothic architecture, architects struggled in their attempts to spread the weight of the heavy stalls. From that perspective, the towers were short under the influence of the thin buildings. Gothic focused on the utilisation of technological innovations to spread the weight of the taller walls and the loftier towers, which was perfect for the cathedrals and churches. Gothic architecture also associates with the flying buttress, which relates to the external characteristics of the artistic period vital in the spreading of the weight of the new designs (Stokstad and Cothren 508). That is through taking the weight off the walls prior to transferring the force to the ground. It is evident in the case of St Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. The gothic architecture focused on the usage of the innovation of the pointed arch, which was critical in the course of defining the internal characteristics of gothic architecture. That is vital to practical and decorative aspects of art and architecture (Stokstad and Cothren 514). The innovative approach was essential in the distribution of the force of the heavier ceilings including the bulkier designs, thus provision of support to more weight in comparison to the simple pillars (Stokstad and Cothren 510). Gothic architecture is also essential in the course of understanding the influence of vaulted ceiling as evident in the case of the Malbork Castle in Poland. The technology was essential in the usage of the pointed arch to spread force and weight from the upper floors, thus provision of the impression of height and magnificence. Q 3 Art and architecture in the middle ages focused on the creation of a convincing illusion for the viewer. Artists of the period focus on sculpting the images of gods and goddesses with the intention of making their statues appear like the idealized human figure. One of such sculptures is Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles. During the Gothic art and architecture period, artists focused on the usage of the curiosity in the development of the sculptures. Gothic comes out as a word with strange history and connotations. To most artists, the term is essential to understanding scorn and praise issues related to the pointed arches. Gothic art and architecture focused on the designing of the artistic works considering the miniature symbol of God’s universe. The development of the sculptures during the Gothic art and architecture focused on the demonstration of the theological message of the awesome glory of God. From that perspective, the ordered nature of the sculpture was essential in reflecting the clarity and rationality of the universe (Stokstad and Cothren 499). The sculpture focused on staining glass windows including the mural illustration of the scriptural messages of the Bible. Following the occurrence and development of the Christian sculpture, the first European-wide architectural style was the integration of the Romanesque architecture during the 1000-1200 periods. During the period, the first mission of the sculpture was to decorate the central aspects of the statues, the tops of the columns and pilasters under the influence of the antique monuments as the models. The artists, however, focused on borrowing the sculptural themes from the illuminated manuscripts, ivory plaques, and goldsmiths ‘pieces’, the treasuries and other forms. By end of 11th century, the sculptures came out of the sanctuaries prior to exposure to the views or perception of the masses. That is because the clergy did not fear the aspect of taking the images of the ancient gods, thus the treatment of the façade of the basilica like the Roman arch of triumph. In most cases, the sculptured figures were essential in the assembling of the portal and covering of the figures during the Middle Ages to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in the artistic works. Q 4 Pilgrimage site refers to a shrine or other sacred place, which people travel to in the course of expressing their actions of religious devotion. It is essential to note that a pilgrimage is an illustration of a ritual journey under the influence of the hallowed purpose. Every step or phase along the way has substantive meaning. From that perspective, pilgrimage is an illustration of a transformational journey, which is essential to the accomplishment of significant changes in the religious perception and devotion of an individual. People have the tendency of visiting pilgrimage sites for various reasons such as pursuit of inspiration, generation of a new perspective, and acquisition of diverse spiritual paths in the course of committing to the idea and practice of pilgrimage. From the above illustrations, it is essential to note that a pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place or shrine in pursuit of a spiritual question towards obtaining supernatural assistance. Medieval people from all lifestyles, thus the young or old, the wealthy or poor within the society eagerly accepted the idea and the concept of pilgrimage. From that perspective, the concept of pilgrimage was an essential religious belief within the Middle Ages in terms of the religious activity and illustration of the mode of life within the medieval period (Stokstad and Cothren 527). Remarkably, the concept and practice of the Christian pilgrimage was critical to the holy Christian sites that connote the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From that perspective, the destinations of the first Christian pilgrimages were, therefore, within the context of the Holy Land with reference to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, which are approximately 3000 miles from Europe. From these developments, the concept and practice of pilgrimage became common perception and aspect of the medieval people’s lifestyles. The group focused on making pilgrimage closer to their homes through constant visitation of the sites of the Christian Saints and martyrs and the holy relics and places associated with the Virgin Mary (Stokstad and Cothren 529). It is notable that pilgrimages were the first holidays medieval people had to enjoy. During that period, the groups of Christians would focus on setting off on the spiritual journey with the intention of visiting various holy places and shrines, thus the perfect platform to pray together in pursuit of the spiritual assistance. Q 5 The Hildesheim Doors (Ottonian Art), the Last Judgment Tympanum from St. Lazare at Autun (Romanesque Art) and the Samaritan Window from Chartres Cathedral (French Gothic Art) are all works of art with the ability to portray biblical events. These pieces of art portray the biblical events, in the public context, where they would have been perceived by a diverse cross-section of viewers. In the section, it is essential to compare and contrast the works while determining how each style relates to the intended moral message. The doors of the Hildesheim have the left and right sections, which are essential to the integration of the Old and New Testaments, respectively. It is essential to note that the Old Testament scenes appear chronologically from the top-to-bottom. On the other hand, the New Testament scenes appear chronologically from bottom-to-top (Stokstad and Cothren 505). It is vital to note that the layout is an interesting aspect in considering the physical eye and head of the viewer while moving towards looking at the creation of Eve. Second, the Last Judgment is on the display in the tympanum of the main portal of the Cathedral, thus provision of the platform for enthroning of the Christ at the centre of the portrait in the gloriole held by the angels. Each of the sides splits into two registers under the influence of the architrave underneath (Stokstad and Cothren 501). The upper one is valuable in showing the enthroned Virgin Mary and two apostles as the observers of the judgment. On the other hand, the lower register, to the right of the Christ, provides the perfect opportunity for viewing eight apostles standing while facing the enthroned figure, thus demonstration of the perception of the petitioners. The piece of art is vivid due to the elongation of the figures depending on the proportions of revoking the corporeality. Third, the Good Samaritan Window resonates to the LDS doctrine of the stained-glass windows of the medieval French cathedrals of Bourges, Chartres and Sens (Stokstad and Cothren 506). These aspects are essential in juxtaposing images from the parable against the images of the fall, the Law of Moses, and the Atonement. From the above illustrations, the three pieces of art are essential to the illustration of the perception of the artists of Gothic, Ottonian, and Romanticism art and architecture. Works Cited Stokstad, Marilyn and Cothren, Michael Watt. Art History (5th edition). Prentice Hall: Pearson Education, Limited, 2013. Print. Read More