1200-1300

Pisa Baptisery

Jan 1, 1200

The Pisa Baptisery is a fin example of architecture during this time period. It was created by Nicola Pisano and combines the styles of Classic and Gothic artwork. Pisano's work lead the way to a unique blend of styles that was later prominent in Italy during the 1200's.

Gregorian Chant

Jan 1, 1210

Gregorian Chant While the rendition of this song is not the original, it gives a good example of music during this century. Most songs were religious during this time and were highly affected by the Gregorian Chant. Most types of music evolved from this chant. Many of the composers were anonymous.

Chartres Cathedral

Jan 1, 1215

The construction of Chartres Cathedral was begun in the year of 1193 but completed in the early 1200's. It is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture since it has only had minor renovations since its completion. It is in near pristine condition. It is also home to one of the famous labyrinths of the time. The labyrinth is visible from the pulpit and is for pilgrims who would make their spiritual journey here.

Tae Kwon Do

Jan 1, 1220

Korea was heavily influenced by China. Korea's original and native fighting style was heavily influenced by the Chinese fighting style known as T'ang-Shou. It was practiced by religious orders and the general population. However, Mongol tribes conquered most of Korea. General Wang Kon took the country back and named it Koryo. It was during this period that Tae Kwon Do became standardized and taught to all military personnel.

Capture of Christ

Jan 1, 1225

This work was painted by Giovanni Cimabue. He used the Fresco technique to paint it directly on the wall at the church San Fransesco in Assisi, Italy. It depicts Judas kissing Christ on the cheek, his betrayal.

Tiger and Knight

Jan 1, 1230

This picture is a tiger and knight from a bestiary that was written in the years between 1225-50. A bestiary was used to keep written descriptions of beasts so that people could identify them. This picture shows a knight stealing a tiger cub. The description of the tiger is that it can run faster than a knight on a horse. In order to escape the tiger, the knight throws a mirror at her and she stops, believing she is looking at her own cub.

English Song

Jan 1, 1235

This is a picture of an English Song. It is the oldest known manuscript of a song with English lyrics. It is written in both English and Latin for six voices. The English lyrics celebrate the coming of Spring while the Latin lyrics are religious and speak of the continued Latin presence in churches and monastaries.

Jeu de Robin et de Marion

Jan 1, 1237

This song was composed by by Adam de la Halle, a French poet, musician, and innovator. He wrote both monophonic and polyphonic works. During this time, it was unusual to find a composer who did both. This song is his best known work because of its mixture of speech and song.

Love Rune

Jan 1, 1250

This is a poem written Friar Thomas Hales in the mid 1200's. The language in this poem was considered modern for its time and lead to the creation of Middle English. The language in this poem was actually a mix between Old English and what would become Middle English.

Matthew Paris Map

Jan 1, 1250

This is one of the oldest surviving maps with the amount of detail that is seen. Matthew Paris was a monk living in Saint Alban's Abbey when he made this map. Rather than trying to show the relationships between various countries through diagrams, Paris was one of the few mapmakers to attempt to show the geographical details of the land. Many of the landmarks are actually recognisable and could be used to determine one's geographical location.

Musicians

Jan 1, 1260

This pictures shows musicians playing an instrument called a hurdy-gurdy. During this time, there were many pictures like this showing musicians playing their music for many different ocassions.

Notre Dame

Jan 1, 1272

Notre Dame Cathedral was started in 1160 but was not finished until 1272. Since its construction, the cathedral has served as a symbol of Gothic architecture in France. Several architects have worked on the building over the 100 years it was being constructed. Many major events have happened in this cathedral and it continues to stand until this day.

Organum

Jan 1, 1273

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W2-xz0nr9c This link gives an example of another style of music popular in the 1200's. This style evolved from the Gregorian chant. The Organum had one added voice for harmony. It was called polyphonic. Organum was mainly religious, like the Gregorian Chant. It developed in the mid 1200's.

French and Hebrew Manuscript

Jan 1, 1280

This manuscript was written in 1280 by a scribe named Benjamin. It is in really fine condition, considering its age. It is one of the only surviving manuscripts to be in such fine condition. While Benjamin was responsible for the texts in the book, all relating to various Biblical texts, worship, or historic periods, various artists were responsible for the pictures. The picture on the left is of King Solomon delivering judgment. The bird on the right is the mythical Bar-Yokhani.

Madonna and Child

Jan 1, 1285

This painting was done by the artist Duccio. Most works during this time were religious in content. Madonna and Child was a common subject and many artists painted portraits with the virgin and the Holy Child. It was in the later half of the century that these paintings became common.

Madonna and Child

Apr 15, 1285

This painting was done by Duccio di Buoninsegna in the later half of the 1200's. This painting was oringinally created for the Virgins at Santa Maria Novella. This is Duccio's first documented work and is a panel painting for the alter. The church gave no specifics for the contents of the painting other than it contain the Virgin, Child, and other figures in the background. If the painting did not satisfy the employer, Duccio would have kept the painting without collecting his money.

Reims Cathedral

Jan 1, 1290

The construction of the Reims Cathedral was begun in the year 1211 and was meant to replace a church that had been burned down the year before. Four different architects oversaw the constructing of the cathedral over the 80 years it took to complete the project. The original architect modeled the blueprints after Chartres Cathedral. However, Reims Cathedral is longer and larger than the Chartres. Expansions and decorative work has been done over the centuries.

Vita Nuova

Jan 1, 1292

Vita Nuova was the first and most profound work of Dante Alighieri. The thirty-one poems are all connected with a lyrical prose narrative. The poems both celebrate and debate the topic of love. Dante began writing this work after he met Beatrice. This story has been read as a biography, religious allegory, and a meditation on poetry itself.

Cistercian Nuns

Jan 1, 1295

This picture depicts both monks and nuns living together in a monastery. The women outnumber the men in this depiction. Even though this picture was created during the Medieval period, women were not always subservient to their male counterparts. In the church, women could have positions of great responsibility and could even outrank the men.

Madonna and Child

Jan 1, 1299

This statu was carved by Giovanni Pisano in the last decade of the century. This work is an example of an ivory carving and is a religious sculpture. Most works during this century were religious in content.