The High Middle Ages

The High Middle Ages brought forth an era fill with Christian followers. When the northern tribes in Europe swept down and brought down the Roman empire, they settle in the Roman land and converted themselves to Christianity.

These changes brought forth new cultures and artworks that puts more emphasis on religion. During this period, a lot of churches and great cathedral was build. Historian divided the High Middle Ages into two periods: the Romanesque Period and the Gothic Period. The Romanesque Period was fill with beautiful churches that contain reminiscent feelings of ancient Roman architecture.The Gothic Period began when church's architecture are designed with pointy arches, ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses and stained glass windows.

The emphasis on religion in artworks continued into the Renaissance Era since Christianity is the dominant religion in Europe. Italy was the first country to transitioned from the Middle Ages Era to the Renaissance Era. We can see that the artworks being made have some sort of Christianity influence in it, be it either statues, paintings, buildings and etc..

.One great example of artworks in the Renaissance that put emphasis on Christianity is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel that was painted by Michelangelo from 1508 to 1512. Even though this is the Renaissance Era, there is still a lot of focus on religion, especially the church. Since the Renaissance Era came right after the Middle Ages Era, there was no way that the influence of Christianity would die out so quick. The intense religious practice is still around from the Middle Ages Era and so the Pope and the church still hold immense power.

Pope Julius II wants to unite Italy under the leadership of the Vatican and show Europe the power of the church. He went and asked Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with religious themes since the chapel is often used for meetings and gather of the masses. Therefore, the pope can show his influence to the people. Michelangelo declined the offer at first, since he preferred to sculpt rather than to paint. However, since the church is an important patron for arts and was centered in Italy, Michelangelo had no choice but to comply.

Painting the ceiling of the church was a hard and painful process.The ceiling is 700 square yards and in order to paint the ceiling, Michelangelo create his own scaffold and painted with his head tilted upwards. There are nine scenes from the Book of Genesis that was painted on the ceiling. These nine scenes falls into three categories of different story in the book.

The first category is about God creating the heaven and earth. The second category is about Adam and Eve. The third category is about Noah. These nine main frames that Michelangelo painted shows the origin of how the place we're living is created and the sins of humanity and how god's creation went far from being perfect.These original stories that was painted from the Bible shows that religion is still very important to the Renaissance Era. The overlapping nude people or is also known as "Ignudi" that was painted on the frames were said to represent angels its mostly based on suggestion and theories.

There is a shield painted between every 2 Ignudi with a picture drawn in it that also have some way connecting to religion. Bordering the nine frames, we have paintings of 12 prophetic figures, 7 prophets and 5 sibyls. In the four corners, we have paintings of more religious stuff based off the bible.Once the project was finish, Michelangelo became the papal favorite and became the official architect of the new St. Peter's church which is to be the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. As you can see, Christianity not only survive through times in scriptures and books, the intense and strong beliefs in the religion by the people help spread its influence into arts.

Not only did people became more creative in giving new design to churches, their paintings and other artworks have religious aspect added to it. Like in Michelangelo works; painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.Even as a sculptor oriented person, Michelangelo could not said no to the Pope when he ask Michelangelo to paint the ceiling. The fact that Christianity is so influential and strong during the Renaissance that you could find so many artworks during this era to have some kind of Christian themes. If there is anything that remotely come close to me experiencing the arts of the High Middle Ages, then that would be this computer game that I play not too long ago call Medieval II: Total War. This game is set back during the time when Christianity was the dominant religion, when people would fight to the death for their belief.

A time when the Christian nations would call the crusade to reclaim Jerusalem. You can also invade other European nations if you so desire. Anyhow, when u invade other nations, on the battle screen, you can see churches and cathedrals inside the city. Although I'd never really pay any attention to the details of the buildings, but if I remember correctly, the game developers did a great job in making the building look really Gothic with its high pointy towers with the stain glass windows and etc...

There is this game call Assassins Creed 2 that just came out recently.The game is set during the Renaissance in Florence. You're playing as an assassin and you go around the city assassinating people and stuff. However, before you commit your act, you're given the option to plan your route and knowing your way around the area. When you walk around the city, you can see that the game developers try to recreate how the Renaissance would of look like.

It wasn't really anything spectacular, probably because it's all pixilated and not real but it still gives you an idea of how the Renaissance would look back then with its statue and churches.