Here’s a wonder of a Friday Afternoon Challenge for you: That’s SO Medieval!

[CTyankee]

The period of time called “Medieval” spans ten centuries (from approx. 500 CE to 1500 CE). The extraordinary work in these centuries are represented in the examples below, for you to identify!

and do observe the “no cheating” rule, folks...
1.
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2.
[IMG][/IMG]
3.
[IMG][/IMG]
4.
[IMG][/IMG]
5.
[IMG][/IMG]
6.
[IMG][/IMG]

[jannyk]

1. #3 is Avignon

[CTyankee]

2. c'est vrai!

Have you ever been there? I wish I had...it looks beautiful...

[jannyk]

5. Yes. About 10 years ago we spent a month touring France.

We've been back each year but one, and now rent an apartment in Paris and take side trips.

[CTyankee]

12. I'd love to do that and had actually planned out a little trip in my mind.

Paris and trains to various places. No hassle with parking and dealing with traffic. I also love European trains...

[Redstate Bluegirl]

39. You Lie!!!

It's one of Mitt Romney's summer homes.

[CTyankee]

42. Hey, it wouldn't surprise me if it were one of Romney's homes...

he speaks French, doesn't he?

[jannyk]

3. Is #1 The Ahlambra?

[CTyankee]

8. No, but it does make one think of the Alhambra, doesn't it?

[On the Road]

13. Looked Like the Alhambra to Me Too

Got to be somewhere in Moorish Spain. I would have suggested Topkapi Palace in Istanbul except for the hills in the background.

[CTyankee]

16. I guess you could wonder why it resembles such places...

[On the Road]

25. I Understand It's Islamic

but am not familiar enough with the Islamic world at that time to hone in on it. Maybe the seat of government for one of the Moroccan sultans, like Fez.

[CTyankee]

26. Islamic art was in other parts of Europe...

[On the Road]

43. Well, Let's See --

Islamic influenced, European, hilly, and appears to be semi-arid. Greece perhaps?

[CTyankee]

44. It was Islamic influenced, European, hilly and I guess semi-arid. But not Greece.

Another guess?

[On the Road]

55. Guess It Would Likely be Italy Then

but really no clue.

[CTyankee]

58. keep going with that line of thought...it will lead you to...

this place...

[On the Road]

65. Well, Sicily is Part of Italy

Sardinia is taken as well. Don't think the Moors ever reached southern France. That would leave Malta and Crete. Didn't associate that look with either one of them, but obviously it's somewhere.

Oh, I bet the Moors conquered Portugal as well. Must be some Alhambra-like buildings there. So Portugal is my guess.

[CTyankee]

67. no, it was sicily. See below!

[XemaSab]

35. That was my guess too

[CTyankee]

41. Islamic art was spread in other parts...this is one of those parts with quite a history in

several periods of art that were placed upon them over their history... and what a history that is!

[XemaSab]

51. Which makes me think it's not in Spain at all

[CTyankee]

60. And you are right!

[joeybee12]

4. #4 reminds me of....

The Duomo in Florence...don't think that's it, though.

[CTyankee]

10. no, it isn't...sorry...

[WhoIsNumberNone]

6. Gislebertus hoc fecit

#5 is Saint Lazare Cathedral

[CTyankee]

7. wow, you are good! Are you a former art major?

[WhoIsNumberNone]

19. Actually yes.

We did a little bit on Gislebertus in Art History 101. I thought his style was fascinating, and the fact that he put his name on his work really bucked the tradition of the time.

[CTyankee]

22. Giselbertus is fascinating, I agree. "Gislebertus hoc fecit" is actually on this image, but in very

small letters, right below the Christ mandorla in the lunette...

[CTyankee]

17. and it is in the Autun Cathedral in France...

[WhoIsNumberNone]

20. There are two catherdrals at Autun.

This piece is from the later one, dedicated to St Lazerus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gislebertus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autun_Cathedral

0

[CTyankee]

23. that is interesting. I thought there was only one cathedral in each place...hmm...

[WhoIsNumberNone]

45. Actually I need to correct myself

I have always known this cathedral at St Lazare- and that is it's proper name, although when you say Autun Cathedral it's usually understood that this is the one you're talking about so the names are pretty much interchangeable. I admit I only skimmed that part about the first cathedral, and I just went back and read it in detail- It's no longer there, so there is only one cathedral in Autun. St Nazaire was built in the 5th century and replaced by St Lazare in the 12th.

I did know all that stuff about Gislebertus from my class though...

[CTyankee]

50. So many of these old cathedrals got destroyed, burnt down or otherwise done in...and then they

were rebuilt. No wonder!

I was only researching from the point of Gislebertus, the artist and master carver. What a talent he was! I just loved his snaky Eve, but the image was just too easily googled...

[WhoIsNumberNone]

52. In this case the Bishop just wanted a bigger one

[CTyankee]

59. color me surprised...

[jannyk]

9. Why does #6 have the mark of 'Zorro' on him?

[CTyankee]

11. wow, I never even saw that! I wonder, too. I've been there but it was pretty dark inside

so this photo does capture a bit of that.

Maybe I'll have to research that...interesting...

[Liberal Veteran]

14. #2 is part of "It's a Small World" in Disney World.

Right before the Norway section of the ride.

[CTyankee]

15. ha. you'd be surprised at how much Disney animators studied French castles to come up with their

design for the Magic Kingdom. Hint: it's the model for the Louvre which when you go there you can find down in the lowest level.

edit: I didn't mean it was a hint for this challenge. sorry if I led people astray...

[bongbong]

18. #1

Num One is the Alcazar in Seville...right???

[CTyankee]

21. no, it isn't...some others guessed that too.

think of why that might look so much like the alcazar, tho...

[IcyPeas]

24. Rick Steves travel show... #6

aaaggghhh... I'm sure he showed number 6 last night in church in Venice, but I wasn't paying that close attention. He was saying Christ was depicted in this mosaic without a beard and in another mosaic with a beard....

do I at least have the city (Rick Steves' show was on the outlying areas of Venice, not right in the center of Venice)

[CTyankee]

27. It is not in Venice.

[IcyPeas]

37. owwwww

this was on his show last night...

"Ravenna is only a 90-minute detour from the main Venice–Florence train line and worth the effort for those interested in old mosaics. While its sights don't merit an overnight stop, many find that the peaceful charm of this untouristy and classy town makes it a pleasant surprise in their Italian wandering."

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/1098ravenna.htm

[CTyankee]

40. Peaceful is the word for Ravenna! At least from my small perspective being there for only

a brief time to visit the mosaics.

You know what was COOL? when I walked into this church, I saw a vault in the wall with the name DANTE carved into it.

Yep. He's buried there. I was totally amazed!!!

[justiceischeap]

28. I don't know the answers to any of them but #2 is freaking me out

that guy on the left keeps staring at me.

[CTyankee]

30. I think it is SO cool!

[Generic Other]

29. #6 I was wrong...It's San Vitale in Ravenna

I recognize the Empress Theodora. She was a wild one.

[CTyankee]

31. that she was but it is not the haggia sophia...

[Generic Other]

32. I edited it after I looked it up

But I love those mosaics. And Theodora's story. Procopius in The Secret History drew the following protrait of her according to wiki: "the reader is treated to a detailed and titillating portrayal of vulgarity and insatiable lust, combined with shrewish and calculating mean-spiritedness." She's like the medieval Sarah Palin. Only born in a brothel, not Alaska.

[CTyankee]

33. The greatest collection of Islamic mosaics outside of Istanbul.

Incredible, altho you must be prepared for a very dark church, which hinders your appreciation of the art.

I liked Ravenna. Unlike the rest of northern Italy it had very few tourists when I was there in early May, 2008. I took a train from Bologna and found a very quiet town. My friends and I were the only ones in the church. It was a little strange, since the rest of that area was full of tourists. But it was a dark church and I found that a hindrance to seeing the mosaics as well as I had wanted to....

[Generic Other]

36. Interesting -- I looked up the image of the church and suddenly recognized it

The Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna



The Presbyterian church just down the street from my house. I never noticed before.

Very cool.

I love these Friday night art history lessons!!

[CTyankee]

38. I'm sort of not getting the comparison...can you fill me in a little here...

but oh, thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad you like my little Friday threads!

[Generic Other]

46. The church down the street from my house was modelled after the one in ravenna

I never saw the side view until today. They are very similar.

[CTyankee]

48. Part of it I get...I guess the rest of it is something I can't quite see...did the church have

some kind of history that said it was modelled after the one in Ravenna? It's interesting. The church in Ravenna is so very Romanesque...

[Generic Other]

53. The shape is similar except the tower part

By the time the idea travelled this far across the world, there were slight alterations. Most of the churches in my area are architectural disasters.

The church website calls their church "A masterpiece of Romanesque architecture." I am guessing partially based on Ravenna.

[CTyankee]

57. Romanesque is such a gorgeous style. The rounded arches...lovely...

[CTyankee]

34. We have #s 1, 2 and 4 not guessed yet!

Any ideas?

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

47. #1 reminds me of the moorish style of The Alhambra

[CTyankee]

49. Because it is. But it is not in the Alhambra...the moorish influence reached beyond its own shores..

[Generic Other]

54. Is it in the new world?

Not that I know where.

[CTyankee]

56. well, it is in a modern country. It is European.

It is a history rich place, that's for sure. I was amazed when I was there and never forgot this place.

Greek temples, Roman ruins, Norman influence...this place has the parade of European history imprinted all over it...

[horseshoecrab]

61. #1

Last edited Sat Feb 18, 2012, 12:06 PM - Edit history (1)

#1 is the cloisters at the Monreale Cathedral in Palermo, Sicily. Just beautiful!

[CTyankee]

62. have you been there?

just curious what led you to it...

[horseshoecrab]

63. Monreale Cathedral

Hi CTyankee.

I wish, but no, have not been to this beautiful place. Someday.

The composite capitals atop the columns and the 8 pointed stars on some columns were intriquing. I did a few searches about capitals and columns. The capital design meant Western Europe even with the obvious moorish/islamic influence. So, I concentrated on France and Italy. Italy made the most sense as it has had an arab presence since (at least) medieval times.

Another search was for cathedrals inspired by the Alhambra. Eventually, I found it.

What an awe inspiring piece of architecture! Thanks for another great challenge!


horseshoecrab

[CTyankee]

64. what interesting research! I'd love to look at what you found.

Could you give me some links to your research? I love reading stuff like that.

BTW, did you have any luck researching #2? I felt sure that the color on the sculptured figures would be enough to lead folks to Amiens Cathedral but...

[horseshoecrab]

66. finding monreale

Ok, sure. Had no time to get to the Amiens Cathedral, unfortunately.

Looked on google and images for info about columns and capitals, figuring they were the tipoff that it was in Western Europe.
Thought the 8 pointed gold stars on some columns were unique enough to help in a search as well. Also thought it was probably a church. Searched for Moors or Arabs in Medieval Italy and France and found info about the Normans in Sicily and their tolerance, even welcoming of the Moors. Don't have those links but try those searches. Some interesting reading given what happened not too long after; The Crusades.

First tried searching google images for "French church with roman corinthian capitals, columns with eight pointed gold stars," but had no luck. In some of the searches I used terms like "inspired by the Alhambra." Still no luck. "Moorish influence." No luck seeing anything that looked like your post. Decided it must be Italy.

Here's what ultimately worked for me:
Searched at google images on the terms: "church with roman corinthian capitals, columns with eight pointed gold stars" & got:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gs_nf=1&cp=76&gs_id=2&xhr=t&q=church+with+roman+corinthian+capitals,+columns+with+eight+pointed+gold+stars&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1536&bih=717&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=62ZAT7evI6G90QH2h9jzBw

In the images returned, click the 2nd from the left in  the top row. (You can see the moorish influence on the ceiling - even in the thumbnail, decided that was the first place to look. It's a different church, but it still has some Moorish influence.) You'll arrive at:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=839410

The _Roman_ Corinthian capitals suggested Italy. Looked at  some of the other churches in Italy but found it in the last section - Sicily. Page down until you come to the section headed "Sicily."

Click on Monreale Cathedral:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=35458596&postcount=64

I took the leisurely route and had fun. Beautiful images at the skyscrapercity site.

HTH.

Always interesting CTyankee.

[CTyankee]

69. cool stuff. I have actually been to that cathedral back in 2005.

Last edited Sun Feb 19, 2012, 11:56 AM - Edit history (1)

I loved Sicily and tell people to go there. There is so much history! If you don't care much for the Greek, Roman, Moorish, Norman stuff, you can skip over to WW2. We still have a Navy and Air Force presence on the island, near the not so great city of Catania.

go to Agrigento and Erice. To Taormina and Siricusa. The Madonie mountains.

Palermo is a terrific city, world class. big opera house. Great food. A sea front fish market that is huge and just wonderful.

I had a 2 week excursion there and was just amazed.

[horseshoecrab]

77. Sounds wonderful!

Two weeks in Sicily sounds great! If I ever go, you will be the first to know!

Meantime, books and the Art Challenge will be my world tours.


horseshoecrab

[CTyankee]

78. Here's a photo with Mt. Etna rising in the background...

It's incredibly gorgeous. Taormina shown here as you look down from the greek-roman temple ruins: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=taormina&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1024&bih=632&tbm=isch&tbnid=1zXNNZSAXebSZM:&imgrefurl=http://www.legendarysicily.it/controllo_foto.php%3Fpage%3Dgalleria_foto%26categoria%3D3&docid=Y2MoN76kALb0RM&imgurl=&w=632&h=414&ei=fHZBT66yMsbv0gHbpcjRBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=100&vpy=312&dur=2601&hovh=182&hovw=277&tx=127&ty=178&sig=108813109928341483086&page=5&tbnh=138&tbnw=196&start=65&ndsp=16&ved=0CPYCEK0DMEU

[burrowowl]

68. Scratching my head on #2

[pinboy3niner]

70. Friday afternoon medieval torture...

...same as every Friday Afternoon Challenge.

(The answers are here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002326040 ).

[CTyankee]

71. Oh, medieval torture is coming...watch for it in a few weeks!

heh heh {{{rubs hands together in glee}}}

[CTyankee]

72. It is Amiens Cathedral, a wonderful place where laser light shows reveal the colors that the

Last edited Sun Feb 19, 2012, 06:12 PM - Edit history (1)

statuary was originally done in. They regularly have these light shows and it looks fabulous. shown here: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=amiens+cathedral&start=70&num=10&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=632&tbm=isch&tbnid=vbFy_aAhN-5ZgM:&imgrefurl=http://www.iwalku2.com/2008/04/amiens-cathedral-light-show.html&docid=F_kBtPklDSLjSM&imgurl=&w=355&h=506&ei=bD9BT6v7FoXm0QHtkZHSBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=804&sig=108813109928341483086&sqi=2&page=4&tbnh=123&tbnw=86&ndsp=24&ved=0COsBEK0DMDc4FQ&tx=35&ty=105

[hfojvt]

73. aha, #3 is

Neuschwanstein.

Either that or Whistler's mother.

[CTyankee]

74. Non, "sur le pont d'Avignon, l'on y dansee, l'on y dansee..."

[hfojvt]

75. Ami jahni Bangla na.

also,

lociento, no habla Espanol.

[CTyankee]

76. Are you here all week? Should I try the veal?

[hfojvt]

79. I do try to make people laugh

entschuldigen Sie mir, bitte.

I seem to know nothing about art, but I always try the challenge.

I might recognize Whistler's mother, or the Mona Lisa or The Last Supper.

If I keep guessing Whistler's mother, someday I may be right.

Hope springs eternal.

[CTyankee]

80. It's too bad Whistler is known in this country by just that work. He painted some gorgeous

women! BTW, here's a little story you'll laugh at: Whistler had a mistress, Joanne Hiffernan, a red headed beauty. Their friend, the painter Gustave Corbet, asked Hiffernan to pose for him which she did in his "La Belle Irlandaise" a lovely work. About this time he also painted "The Origin of the World" which is, to put it mildly, something I wouldn't dare post in one of my challenges, altho it doesn't bother me. It is, um, pretty graphic and you can get it on google.

At any rate when Whistler saw that painting he was so pissed at Corbet he never spoke to him again. Oops...

[hfojvt]

81. really?

I understood he was a coxcomb flinging a pot of paint in the public's face.

But I probably should not quote Ruskin, who would doubltess have unkind words for my poetry.

[CTyankee]

82. Ruskin had his own problems dealing with sexuality.

He didn't show up for that libel trial in London because he was undone by pictures of lady saints...