Styles & Periods

• Artists
• Styles & Periods
• Associations
• Glossary
• Projects
• Purchase Guides

Carolingian Art

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III in 800. This event marks a period characterized by war and artistic achievement. Charlemagne founded many scriptoria, or writing workshops, for copies of the bible to be scripted, and collected old Roman writings. It was during this period that what we know as ‘roman lettering’ was first used. This was actually Carolingian lettering of a copy of a Roman or Latin text. The Emperor was passionate about spreading the word of God, and understood the value of literacy, despite never being completely literate himself. Charlemagne went to great lengths to establish centers of learning all over the Mediterranean. Also included in his reign was a great blossoming of architecture. Charlemagne chose Aachen, now a part of northwestern Germany, as the seat of power for the Carolingian Empire and the site of his palace. Using the Basilica of San Vitale, a Byzantine masterpiece, as a model, the Aachen palace was built with a polygonal plan and an upper story which allows the chambers to fill with light. Though most of the palace has been destroyed, the Palatine Chapel remains as a key example of Carolingian architectural history.

Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

From $1.79 Series 150 Bamboo Brushes by Winsor & Newton Traditional Sumi Brush	Up to 45% Off Oil Color by Van Gogh Professional quality for less	From $9.99 Snap! Brush Sets by Princeton High-quality artists' brushes at great price
At Least 34% Off Silverwhite Series Synthetic Brushes Long Handle by Silver Brush Great value for watercolorists, decorative artists, students	At Least 19% Off Wirebound Notebooks by Rhodia These notebooks	At Least 39% Off Classic Sketching and Drawing Pencils by Cretacolor Recommended for drawing.