In the Gardner text (or equivalent), read the following pages: pp. “Carolingian Art,” pp. 161-169; “Ottonian Art,” pp. 166-169.
Book: Gardner’s Art Through Ages, Fourth Edition
Author: Fred S. Kleiner
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PowerPoint presentation on Carolingian and Ottonian Art and Architecture: (you’ll likely need to cut & paste into your browser:
RESPOND TO PROMPTS
- Distinguish between the Palatine Chapel and St. Michael’s. In what ways are they similar? How are they different?
- The Hildesheim bishop commissioned 2 large works for placement in his church. What were these? Why are they significant?
Answer preview
Benward of Hildesheim commissioned several crucial components of the Hildesheim cathedral. However, the two most acclaimed artistic incorporations instituted by the Bishop are; St. Michael’s famous bronze doors and the great column made of bronze (Kleiner, 2016). The two additional pieces advocated for by Bishop Benward helped bring back to light the long-forgotten method of casting referred to as the cire-perdue method. Many art lovers perceive the doors of St. Michael’s as architectural masterpieces. The doors get decorated with sculptures that denote a critical piece of Christian History.
The door panels are quite massive, measuring over four meters in height (Kleiner, 2016). They were sixteen in number. The door panels were the most gigantic doors ever constructed during this time. Panels occupying the left spot on the door denote the beginning of humankind as enunciated by Genesis and other significant moments in the Old Testament era, such as the killing of Abel by his sibling Cain. On the opposite end, the panels portray
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