The Art of the Middle Ages

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Ln, Bethesda, MD | Get Directions »
$10.00

In this lecture we investigate the art created between the late Roman Empire of the 4th and 5th century AD (the dissolution of the Empire in the West and the adoption of Christianity) and the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance in the 14th century.   How did Roman sculpture and architecture adapt to new Christian beliefs and practices?  How did the art of the barbarian peoples contribute to Christian art?  What was the purpose of art: what role did jeweled reliquaries, illuminated gospel books, stained glass play in the devotional life of medieval monks, pilgrims, kings and queens?  How do the great Gothic cathedrals of the 12th and 13th century embody both the political power of the Church and medieval society’s belief in the higher power of God in his heavenly domain?

Judy Scott Feldman, PhD, Art Historian

Thursday           10:30 AM to 12:00 PM         Jan 24 

1 Session            $10    Class 160