Innovation from Medieval Art to NFTs
Medieval art was a vast and diverse period of artistic production, spanning from the 5th to the 15th century CE. In this era, European artists created a complex blend of religious devotion and groundbreaking innovation.
By incorporating elements of medieval art into their NFT creations, artists can bridge the gap between aesthetics and contemporary digital expression, resulting in a unique fusion of styles that captivates and engages audiences in the digital art world.
But first, let’s break down some of the crucial elements that set Medieval art apart.
At the heart of Medieval art lies its use of symbolism. There’s the cross, an emblem of unwavering Christianity, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a symbol that resonates through time. The lamb is a symbol of purity and innocence, while the dove with an olive branch symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s descent and the peace it brings. There are many other symbols that were commonly used in Medieval art, but my favorite is the fool, a symbol of folly and vanity. The fool sometimes would represent the ability to see the world in a different way, or the importance of humor and laughter, and always had on colorful and fun clothing.
The Byzantine mosaic, Theodora and Attendants, is a stunning example of how Medieval artists used symbolism to create a work that is both visually impressive and deeply meaningful. The mosaic depicts the Byzantine empress Theodora and her attendants, and it is filled with symbolism that reflects the power and authority of the Byzantine Empire.
Beeple’s Everydays, the First 5000 Days, is a digital artwork that is a collage of images that were created by him over a period of 5,000 days. His use of mosaics for his Everydays series is a direct correlation to mosaic’s history. Medieval art and NFTs. He is tapping into the cultural significance, complexity, symbolism, and durability of mosaics to create works of art that are visually stunning and thought-provoking.
Medieval art is also notable for its use of vibrant colors.
Medieval artists used bold colors to create pieces that were beautiful and moving. Colors carried a lot of meaning in Medieval art. Here are some of the most common colors and their meanings: Blue often associated with heaven and the divine. Red with blood, sacrifice, and martyrdom. Green with nature, growth, and renewal. Yellow with gold, wealth, and power. And purple was associated with royalty, luxury, and wisdom. It is also the color of the Byzantine Empire.
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript (literacy was very low during this era) that was created by monks in Ireland in the 8th to 9th century CE. The Book of Kells is one of the most well-preserved examples of early medieval Christian art. It is famous for its intricate illustrations and vibrant colors. The colors are incredibly vibrant and are used to create a sense of movement and energy.
We can see the influence of Medieval art and NFTs like this one by Siberelis, Neoverse. The artwork is characterized by its vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and its use of symbolism. While Siberelis is using bright colors and patterns to reference the Matrix movies, which many consider religious.
The Gothic era (12-13th century CE) saw a shift in Medieval art towards a more naturalistic style.
Artists started using more realistic proportions and shading, and they also began to experiment with new techniques, such as perspective. This shift is evident in Giotto’s, The Ognissanti Madonna. This painting depicts the Virgin Mary and Child, it is notable for its more realistic proportions and its use of shading to create movement in the clothing.
Medieval art continues to inspire NFT artists today. Contemporary artist and programmer, Robbie Barrat, is using AI technology to create new works that are visually stunning and noteworthy. Barrat’s NFT series of Nude Portraits used early AI to create original works that are visually stimulating and provocative.
In this early series you can see how Barrat is using AI to create something new and intriguing, showing nude body pieces with a little depth, but not yet fully formed. Very similar to how Giotto was able to start to show the depth of form in his late paintings.
The dynamic fusion of the past and the present is where my love of NFTs lies. I will continue this journey through art history and how it relates to NFTs.
I hope you will stay tuned for the next episode, which is Ancient Asian Art.
