Early Medieval Art

Time Period: 450-1050

Merovingian Art (France)
Hiberno-Saxon Art (British Isles)

• Mass migrations across Europe 
• "Dark Ages" desperation; stability achieved 
• Monasteries centers of learning 
• Manuscripts; scribes important in society; illustrators; freedom of expression 
• Decoration of manuscript art: codices 
• Painted by monks or nuns
• Books covered in bindings of wood and leather; gold leaf 
• Portable; animals in designs 
• Fibula: clasp to fasten garments

Merovingian:

• internal struggles, civil wars 
• rulers exploited kingdom's wealth, lived lavishly 
• personal jewelry items popular, such as brooches, discs, pins, earrings, and bracelets 
• objects inlaid with harsh stones such as garnets 

Hiberno-Saxon Art: 

• exceptional handling of color and form 
• specialized in illuminated manuscripts 
• relies on complicated patterns; ornamented