Word And Image: The Art Of The Early Middle Ages, 600-1050

This up-to-date, reliable introductory account and interpretation of early medieval art combines art, history, and ideas from around 600 to 1050. Diebold describes diversity and complexity of early medieval art by examining the relationship of word and image. The concept of word and image is broad enough to encompass the Anglo-Saxon art and oral culture of the Sutton Hoo treasure, as well as the literate art of the Carolingian and Ottonian courts. Diebold describes and explains the stunning variety of early medieval objects--illustrated manuscripts, rich metal work, ivories, textiles, statuary, jewels, painting and architecture produced north of the Alps beginning with Pope Gregory's Christianization of England and his justification of images, and ending with the spectacular gold reliquary statue of Ste. Foy at Conques, which separates Early Medieval art from the Romanesque. Diebold also discusses the function of (and audience for) medieval art; he shows why, how, and for whom it was made. Diebold outlines the role of artists and patrons in medieval society, and he explains art's institutional and social status. He defines basic historical and art-historical terms and concepts as they are encountered, and illustrations, a map, a glossary, notes, suggestions for further reading, and an index are included.

William J. Diebold is associate professor of art history and humanities at Reed College. He has curated a number of exhibitions on medieval art, and he has written many articles and reviews for scholarly journals. Diebold received a Samuel H. Kress Fellowship in 1984-1986 and an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in 1994-1995. He was Chair at the College Art Association meetings in 1995 and 1997.