Art during the Middle Ages was different based on the location in Europe as well as the period of time. However, in general, Middle Age art can be divided up into three main periods and styles: Byzantine Art, Romanesque Art, and Gothic Art. Much of the art in Europe during the Middle Ages was religious art with Catholic subjects and themes. The different types of art included painting, sculpture, metal work, engraving, stained glass windows, and manuscripts. The end of the Middle Ages is often signaled by a great change in art with the start of the Renaissance Period. Byzantine Art The start of the Middle Ages is often called the Dark Ages. This is the period of time from 500 to 1000 AD. The main form of art during that time was Byzantine art produced by artists from the Eastern Roman Empire, also called Byzantium. Byzantine art was characterized by its lack of realism. The artists did not try to make their paintings realistic, but focused on the symbolism of their art. Paintings were flat with no shadows and the subjects were generally very serious and somber. The subjects of the paintings were almost entirely religious with many paintings being of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Rochefoucauld Grail by Unknown Romanesque Art The period of Romanesque Art started around 1000 AD and lasted to around 1300 with the beginning of the Gothic Art period. Art prior to that is called pre-Romanesque. Romanesque art was influenced by both the Romans and Byzantine Art. Its focus was on religion and Christianity. It included architectural details like stained glass art, large murals on walls and domed ceilings, and carvings on buildings and columns. It also included illuminated manuscript art and sculpture. Gothic Art Gothic art grew out of Romanesque art. Gothic artists began to use brighter colors, dimensions and perspective, and moved toward more realism. They also began to use more shadows and light in their art and tried out new subject matters beyond just religion including animals in mythic scenes. Artists of the Middle Ages Many of the artists from the early Middle Ages are unknown to us. Some of the most famous lived during the latter part of the Middle Ages and are often considered to be part of the beginning of the Renaissance. Here are a few artists that made a name for themselves at the end of the Middle Ages: Donatello - An Italian sculpture known for his statues of David, Mary Magdalene, and the Madonna. Giotto - Italian artist from the 13th century famous for his frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy. Benvenuto di Giuseppe - Also called Cimabue, this Italian artist from Florence was known for his paintings and mosaics. Ambrogio Lorenzetti - An Italian painter of the Gothic movement, he is famous for his frescoes, the Allegory of Good Government and the Allegory of Bad Government. Literature The majority of the literature produced during the Middle Ages was written by religious clerics and monks. Few other people knew how to read and write. Much of what they wrote was hymns, or songs, about God. Some also wrote philosophical documents about religion. One of the most popular books of the Middle Ages was the Golden Legend, by archbishop of Genoa Jacobus de Voragine. It told stories about the lives of the Saints during Medieval times. Some secular, meaning non-religious, books were written as well. Here a few of the more famous literary works from the Middle Ages: Beowulf - Unknown author. This Epic poem was written in England, but tells the story of the hero Beowulf in Scandinavia. The Canterbury Tales - by Geoffrey Chaucer. A series of tales that portray Chaucer's view of English society at the time. Caedmon's Hymn - This hymn, recorded by a monk, is the oldest surviving Old English poem. The Divine Comedy - by Dante Alighieri. Often considered one of the greatest works in world literature, this story describes Dante's view of the afterlife. The Book of Margery Kempe - by Margery Kempe. This book is considered to be the first autobiography written in English. The Ecclesiastical History of the English People - by Venerable Bede. This history of the English church earned Bede the title "Father of English History". The Decameron - by Giovanni Boccaccio. This book has a number of stories and describes life in 14th century Italy. The Travels of Marco Polo - by Marco Polo. This book tells the story of how Marco Polo traveled to the far east and China. Le Morte d'Arthur - by Sir Thomas Malory. This book tells the story of legendary King Arthur. Piers Plowman - by William Langland. This allegorical poem tells of a man in search of the true Christian life.
Cooking and eating a meal outside is a lovely, good-weather activity—you're preparing the best grilling recipes with the best summer drinks in hand as you enjoy the views. But with all that loveliness comes a few headaches. Case in point: Hauling food and supplies out from the kitchen can be a huge hassle, especially when you realize halfway through cooking that you’ve forgotten an ingredient you need right now. If cooking outside with all the essentials at your fingertips is your idea of domestic bliss, then consider building an outdoor kitchen of your own.
The cost of building an outdoor kitchen, much like indoor kitchen renovation, varies depending on the materials and appliances you choose. Pro tip: Outdoor products should be built to weather the elements, so durability should be top of mind. Enlist a trusted general contractor to provide an estimate for building the outdoor kitchen of your dreams. If you’re not all in on a built-in outdoor kitchen, you can create a makeshift space by curating readily available, inexpensive items: a table with a flat surface for prep, a tiered bar cart or shelf for storage, a grill, and a cooler. Shop in a tight colorway for a cohesive look.
Jazz, popularly known as America's classical music", developed in one of the communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th time period. Some of the characteristics of the most influential musicians include being mellow while playing their contemporaries, with emphasis on performing the music swimmingly and just lag down the beat. Another would be being expressive and lighter in terms of its sound. Nowadays, two of the most favored musical genres, namely bossa nova and smooth jazz,<span> were obviously influenced by the early jazz music.</span>