Question 8
- List any three styles and periods encompassed in medieval art.
- State any six characteristics of medieval art.
Observation
Most of the candidates attempted this question. Most of the candidates that attempted this question performed poorly, only a few were able to scale through successfully. The candidates were expected to answer in the following way:
(a) Styles and periods encompassed in Medieval art
- Christian art.
- Byzantine art.
- Anglo-Saxon and Viking.
- Insular.
- Carolingian.
- Ottonian.
- Romanesque.
- Gothic art.
.
(b) Characteristics of Medieval art
- Most human figures are produced in frontal view.
- Good treatment of drapery with outlines in gold.
- Use of symbols for identification.
- Interior decorations were done in mosaic.
- Use of stain glass.
- Paintings usually portray stiff and formal qualities.
- Paintings were profusely colourful.
- Manuscript illustrations were abounded.
- Gold, silver and purple were used for illustration.
- Figures were depicted to convey feelings of holiness.
- Images are with large heads.
- Some images have soulful eyes.
- Paintings have biblical themes.
- Images of Christ and Mary dominate the themes.
- Soulful eyes are arranged in rhythmic patterns.