Civilizations & archaeology

Carolingian art

from 8th century to 10th century

Carolingian art was the art produced at and around the court of Charlemagne and his successors, in the Frankish empire, and is associated with a deliberate revival of the learning and styles of ancient Rome and Early Christian art. Its best-known works include illuminated manuscripts such as the Godescalc Evangelistary and the Ebbo Gospels, luxurious book covers in gold, ivory and gems, and metalwork. In architecture, the Palatine Chapel at Aachen, modeled on Byzantine churches in Ravenna, is the most famous example. Writing was also reformed, with the clear Carolingian minuscule, which later became the basis for modern lowercase letters. The style influenced later Ottonian and Romanesque art.

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This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes.