Davis-Weyer, Caecilia, ed., Early Medieval Art, 300 - 1150; Sources and Documents (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall) Read this source online
Text name(s):
Number of pages of primary source text: 176
Author(s):
- Augustine of Hippo
- Gervase of Canterbury
- Ermoldus Nigellus
- Ennodius, Magnus Felix
- Einhard
- Bede
- Angilbert
- Gregory I
- Jerome
- Prudentius
- Raol
- Theodulf of Orléans
Dates: 200 - 1150
Archival Reference:
Original Language(s):
- Latin
Translation:
- Translated into English.
Translation Comments:
Geopolitical Region(s):
- Italy
- France
- Europe
- England
County/Region: Ravenna; Nola; Aachen; Tours; Canterbury
Record Types:
- Philosophic Work
- Letter
- Literature - Verse
- Chronicle Annals
Subject Headings:
- Early Germanic Peoples: Goths Franks, etc.
- Material Culture: Food Clothing, Household
- Clergy - Priests Bishops, Canons
- Clergy - Monks Nuns, Friars
- Carolingians
- Art
- Architecture and Buildings
Apparatus:
- Index
- Introduction
Comments:
A collection of excerpts from primary source documents pertaining to early medieval art, containing documents from the third to twelfth centuries. The book is split into six sections: Early Christian Attacks on Idols and Images, The Christian Empire, Europe Under Barbarian Rule, The Carolingian Renaissance, Early Romanesque and High Romanesque. The excerpts are derived primary from letters between clergy, including from well known figures such as St. Jerome and Gregory I, as well as historical chronicles. Many sources feature descriptions of churches built during the period such as those at Aachen and Canterbury. The controversy over images in early Christian art is discussed. Sources range in length from a few sentences to multiple pages with most accompanied by commentary from the editor. This collection would be useful for undergraduates looking to contextualize the study of early medieval art through primary-source material.
The book was reprinted in 1986 as part of the Medieval Academy Reprints for Teaching series.
Introduction Summary:
The book begins with a short preface explaining the intention behind the author’s selection of primary source material. She highlights two principal goals; to illuminate the role of the individual in facilitating the creation of early medieval art and to bring attention to the complex issue of images in early medieval theology.
Cataloger: IB
