Education in Twelfth-Century Art and Architecture: Images of Learning in Europe, c. 1100-1220

A study of the representation of education in material culture, at a period of considerable change and growth. On the facade of Chartres cathedral serene personifications of the arts of grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, music, arithmetic, geometry and astronomy present passers-by with a vision of education as an improving process leading to greater knowledge of God. The arts proved a popular subject in medieval imagery, and were included in manuscripts, stained-glass and luxury metalwork objects as well as on the facades of churches. These idealized figures contrast with many textual accounts of education, in which authors recorded the hardships of student poverty and the temptations of drink and women to be found in the cities where teachers were increasingly establishing themselves. This book considers how and why education was explored in the art and architecture of the twelfth century. Through analysis of imagery in a wide range of media, it examines how teachers and students sought to use images to enhance their reputations and the status of their studies. It also investigates how the ideal models often set out in imagery compared with contemporary practice in an era that saw significant changes, beginning with a shift away from monastic education and culminating in the appearance of the first universities. A study of the representation of education in material culture, at a period of considerable change and growth. On the facade of Chartres cathedral serene personifications of the arts of grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, music, arithmetic, geometry and astronomy present passers-by with a vision of education as an improving process leading to greater knowledge of God. The arts proved a popular subject in medieval imagery, and were included in manuscripts, stained-glass and luxury metalwork objects as well as on the facades of churches. These idealized figures contrast with many textual accounts of education, in which authors recorded the hardships of student poverty and the temptations of drink and women to be found in the cities where teachers were increasingly establishing themselves. Thisbook considers how and why education was explored in the art and architecture of the twelfth century. Through analysis of imagery in a wide range of media, it examines how teachers and students sought to use images to enhance their reputations and the status of their studies. It also investigates how the ideal models often set out in imagery compared with contemporary practice in an era that saw significant changes, beginning with a shift away from monastic education and culminating in the appearance of the first universities. LAURA CLEAVER is Senior Lecturer in Manuscript Studies, Institute of English Studies, University of London. On The Facade Of Chartres Cathedral Serene Personifications Of The Arts Of Grammar, Rhetoric, Dialectic, Music, Arithmetic, Geometry And Astronomy Present Passers-by With A Vision Of Education As An Improving Process Leading To Greater Knowledge Of God. The Arts Proved A Popular Subject In Medieval Imagery, And Were Included In Manuscripts, Stained-glass And Luxury Metalwork Objects As Well As On The Facades Of Churches. These Idealized Figures Contrast With Many Textual Accounts Of Education, In Which Authors Recorded The Hardships Of Student Poverty And The Temptations Of Drink And Women To Be Found In The Cities Where Teachers Were Increasingly Establishing Themselves. This Book Considers How And Why Education Was Explored In The Art And Architecture Of The Twelfth Century. Through Analysis Of Imagery In A Wide Range Of Media, It Examines How Teachers And Students Sought To Use Images To Enhance Their Reputations And The Status Of Their Studies. It Also Investigates How The Ideal Models Often Set Out In Imagery Compared With Contemporary Practice In An Era That Saw Significant Changes, Beginning With A Shift Away From Monastic Education And Culminating In The Appearance Of The First Universities. Laura Cleaver. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [200]-222) And Index. La 4e de couv. indique : "On the facade of Chartres cathedral serene personifications of the arts of grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, music, arithmetic, geometry and astronomy present passers-by with a vision of education as an improving process leading to greater knowledge of God. The arts proved a popular subject in medieval imagery, and were included in manuscripts, stained-glass and luxury metalwork objects as well as on the facades of churches. These idealized figures contrast with many textual accounts of education, in which authors recorded the hardships of student poverty and the temptations of drink and women to be found in the cities where teachers were increasingly establishing themselves. This book considers how and why education was explored in the art and architecture of the twelfth century. Through analysis of imagery in a wide range of media, it examines how teachers and students sought to use images to enhance their reputations and the status of their studies. It also investigates how the ideal models often set out in imagery compared with contemporary practice in an era that saw significant changes, beginning with a shift away from monastic education and culminating in the appearance of the first universities." List of Illustrations vi Acknowledgements x Introduction 1 1. The Liberal Arts: Making Education Visible 7 2. Learning to Read in Texts and Images 37 3. Telling Tales: Art for the Illiterate 63 4. Learning to Speak: The Art of Logic 84 5. The Image of the Master 110 6. The Art of Music 130 7. Arithmetic and Geometry in the Classroom and Beyond 154 8. Looking at the Heavens: Astronomy in Images 179 Conclusion 198 Bibliography 200 Index 223