A joy of my college education is that I get to take additional classes to my major that have become more and more enjoyable as I approach the end of the undergraduate journey. A seed was planted as I walked through the halls of museums and cathedrals while in Europe during the fall of 2010. I now have within me a growing passion for Art and the deep-rooted history that encompasses all of it. I am currently in an Art History course and have decided to make my Theme Journal in blog form. The blog will save me some typing because you know what they say, "An image is worth 1,000 words." The underlying theme that I have chosen to pull out of art from different time periods is deity. Deity in religious context is the ultimate goal and curiosity. Engulf yourself entirely in the artwork and somehow make your personal connection, as will I.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Early Medieval

Hildesheim Doors
Genesis Left Door, Life of Christ Right Door
Saint Michael's (Germany)
1015 


Bishop Bernwood, a great art patron built the St. Michael's Church- it being a Ottonian Masterpiece with two apse, two transepts, and multiple towers. After a visit to Rome the wooden doors he saw that had episodes of the Old and New Testament inspired him to commission the bronze doors for his new church in Germany. 

This glorious doors are more than 16 feet tall. Bernward placed the bronze doors (with 16 panels of magnificence) at the entrance to the Saint Michael's from the cloister, where the monks would see them each time they walked into the church. The left side of the door highlights the biblical book of Genesis- beginning with the creation of Eve and ending with the murder of Adam and Eve's son Abel by his brother Cain. The right door corresponds to the left recounting the life of Christ- starting with the annunciation and terminating with the appearance to Mary Magdelene of Christ after the Resurrection. 

Together the doors tell the story of the Original sin and the ultimate Redemption. The expulsion from the Garden of Eden and the path back to paradise through the Christian Church. Deity paralleled so well with the Old Testament account gives a glimpse to the viewer of the power that lies within Jesus Christ- and his capability to save all man from sin. 

Saint Michael's Hildesheim, Germany

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