At all times, people have tried to decorate the space surrounding them, to express their worldview to the surrounding reality. In a certain era, characteristic types of ornaments arose, by which it was possible to determine belonging to any people. One of the remarkable artistic creations of man is a medieval ornament, embodied in so many areas: in architecture, decorative and artistic activities, weapons, book works (miniatures, folios), clothes and fabrics, and so on.
Definition and characteristic features of ornaments
An ornament is a pattern that is based on the rhythmic repetition and alternation (rhythm) of its constituent elements (rapport). Serves to give beauty, aesthetics to buildings and other architectural creations, objects of various purposes (furniture, utensils, books, textiles and weapons).
The most ancient people used it to decorate their body, applying various tattoos, playing both aesthetic and role of a talisman.
A characteristic feature of the ornament is an indispensable connection with the surface on which it is applied, as well as its purpose and shape. This type of jewelry displays either speculative, fictional images, or real motives. Based on the nature of the composition, it can be ribbon, bordering, centric, heraldic, filling the surface. And their combinations are also found.
Historical facts
The ornament appeared already in ancient times. For a long time period, he played the role of a talisman and a talisman. Then people decorated patterns used in everyday life, their clothes, homes. People met patterns of repetition of various elements in nature: in the color of animals, in the structure of plants, in the movement of waves, and so on.
Honoring and enriching the forces of nature, man displayed their symbolism in the ornament. For example, circles, sockets, crosses were identified with the sun. A cross located in a circle denotes the movement of the sun in the sky. Centuries later, the magical meaning of ornamental motifs was forgotten, they began to be used as decor.
Medieval ornament is inextricably interconnected with the object itself, which it adorns: with its purpose, shape, material and size. It even conveys sensations and emotions: for example, solemnity and restraint, smoothness and grace, calmness, lightness, free movement or internal tension. Based on the type of patterns, it is possible to draw conclusions about the specifics of the culture of the people who created them, as well as about the era of creation.
Brief description of medieval ornaments
Speaking about the art of medieval ornament briefly, we can distinguish its main features. Firstly, it is a strong relationship with the Christian religion. Many areas of human life, including art, were controlled by the church. Secondly, this is a close contact with the creativity of the people. This is a love of bright pattern, and images of ordinary people. And many masters came from the lower classes.
In addition, symbolism and dynamics are characteristic of images and patterns. Typical use of various characters, vibrant and precious materials.
In this era, fantastic and fabulous images were characteristic, in which plant and animal motifs were taken. By means of fine-decorative means, including ornaments, in the Middle Ages they began to convey the inner world, state, feelings and emotions of a person, which was not characteristic of previous eras.
Medieval ornament was very often found in heraldry, where different symbols, coats of arms, emblems, and parts of the warrior's equipment were used.
Early Middle Ages
The medieval ornament contained a lot of allegorical images and floral motifs, was common in architecture, art. And it was also used to decorate clothes and other textiles, furniture sets, jewelry. Artists created a proportionate composition in which all the elements were meticulously arranged in relation to each other and parts of the object itself, on which they were applied.
A peculiar feature of the aesthetic sphere of the early Middle Ages was a commitment to the use of rich colors and expensive materials. Religious attitudes, canons extended to art. The church contributed to the prosperity of art: through creativity, including ornamental, she promoted her ideas.
Used ornamental motifs.
In this period of development of visual culture, the display of human figures is not characteristic. The most used were images of plants, animals, birds, various fantasy monsters.
In the Middle Ages, several popular patterns dominated. Medieval floral ornament was very common, found almost everywhere. It depicts various curly and interwoven stems of plants, interweaving of leaves (often grapes and ivy), flowers (for example, lilies, roses, clovers, burdocks).
On the cladding of buildings dynamic images of birds, foliage, flowers, and various fruits were not uncommon. They created the illusion of wildlife. The idea of applying the theme of tangible natural vegetation in Gothic jewelry was a specific canon.
Also often used was a geometric ornament, which was based on abstract symbols (circles, crosses, stars, polyhedra, dots, a wide variety of lines). In a zoomorphic motif, the masters tried to display the animals (both actually existing and mythological, invented) or parts of their figures. Anthropomorphic themes, stylizing images of a person or parts of his body, for example, the head, were less common. In addition, the motives were based on the image of weapons, architectural elements, various emblems.
Description of the fragment of ornament
Let us consider a brief description of a fragment of a medieval ornament on the example of a church miniature from the Hours of the mid-15th century. In this fragment of the miniature, a floral ornament is pronounced. It depicts the monks singing in the choir.
The picture is bordered on all sides by a repeating colorful pattern of interwoven stems, leaves and buds of plants. The paints used are quite diverse: red, blue, green, pink and gold colors are applied. In the ornate patterns, a certain pattern is visible: the repetition of identical elements, the alternating use of colors. The use of gold leaf gives the illustration a precious shimmer.
Romanesque ornament
One of the types of ornamental decoration is a Romanesque medieval ornament, common in the X-XIII centuries in Western Europe. This genre of the artistic and visual sphere borrowed many elements and images from the ancient Roman culture of the era of antiquity. Its defining features were the desire for everything amazing, mythological, fantasy and divine. There were many images of fictional creatures, monsters, exotic animals. For example, it is a centaur, sphinx, pelican, hydra, gargoyle.
There have also been many creations not related to religion. Plots from fables, novels and satirical works, figures of people of the lower classes working in the field found their embodiment in artistic culture and patterns. Images of ministers of the church, pilgrims are frequent. Popular features are very noticeable here - picturesque, fantastic, humor, liveliness and vitality.
During this time period, a few colors were used: yellow and red, white, black and gray. Especially vividly and freely, the Romanesque decorative motif was formed in the painting in manuscripts, for which there was a typically filigree performance of capital letters and initials.
The main elements of the patterns: geometric shapes and symbols, blossoming flowers, unusual plants, wriggling and interwoven grape stems, and fruits, palmettes, as well as birds and animals.
Gothic ornament
The art of medieval ornamentation in Western European countries in the Gothic era (XII – XV centuries) was under the powerful authority of architecture, as well as the church. Gothic ornament is notable for its variety and symbolism, very decorative.
Along with the typical use of antique and oriental themes, unusual motifs also appear. The most common motifs of jewelry: floral, mythological and geometric. Images of roses, historical figures, the embodiment of various biblical subjects were very popular.
In this historical period, it was the “golden age” of book miniature, the heyday of decorative art and painting. Everywhere manifested a riot of imagination, magnificence, high cost and thoroughness of decoration. Many saturated colors have already been used: dark shades of blue and red, green and yellow, purple and gray. And often the color combination was very contrasting. It was very common to use gilding, gold leaf.
Role in art
Medieval patterns and ornaments reflect the features of the fine-applied culture of the peoples of that era, contribute to an understanding of what people lived, their aspirations, ideals. They are also a reflection of folk art, in which people tried to reflect their worldview, perception of nature, wildlife, beauty, happiness and other lofty concepts.
Ornament played a significant role in the art of the Middle Ages. Filigree, the most intricate intricate and diverse patterns delighted the eye, decorating so many surfaces. They were used to give beauty and meaning to things used in everyday life (vases, dishes, furniture). And also decorated weapons (swords, shields, banners). And, of course, they were found everywhere in church buildings: in portals, altars, walls and ceilings, chairs.
Christianity has returned the original meaning to many ornamental signs. Thus, the ornament was also in this era the most important carrier of the latest or updated ideas.
It was in the Romanesque and Gothic eras of the Middle Ages that two-dimensional decorative elements and ornaments were developed that remain popular today.