COMPOSITION

Fig.2 Shell-shaped pottery

(6th century)

Fig.1 Roman pottery of

the Middle Ages

    

                                      



                                              



Fig.3 Altar cross from the Velia

(8th century)

      The medieval Roman art includes a dense assortment of the decorative elements used (eg. geometric patterns and naturalistic shapes). Thus, each shape is consistently interrelated with the other forms, creating a harmoniously unified whole. For instance, with regard to pottery decoration (Fig.1), the geometric elements repeat and intersect each other, imposing a certain rhythm to the actual composition (eg. figure on the left). On the other hand, the human portrait (eg. figure on the right) is depicted only with a single, curving line, incorporating linear patterns painted over the face and also in the background of the figure. Even though the forms used are quite simple, they are arranged in a rather complex manner, encompassing different directions and “links” between them. Furthermore, various segments of a shell- shaped pottery (Fig.2) show combination of human and animal figures (eg. the piece in the middle), overlapping and plainly depicted  (with a single line). There are very few linear patterns and the man appears bigger than the animal- a possible implication of superiority and force.



Fig.4 Small pilaster

(9th century)

     Moreover, a decorative section of an altar cross (Fig.3) presents an angel, saint and a sheep, portrayed only with a single contour and each of them separately placed, without any overlapping of forms. This indicates a symbolical depiction of religious importance, rather than a focus on the decorative function. In addition, the architectural style comprises of compositional principles similar to the one of Islamic art- rationally interconnected geometric shapes (eg. curved lines) with no clear beginning or end (Fig.4). Thus, the Roman art of the Middle Ages entails various functions of art: a purely decorative one (eg. pottery) and an allegorical one (eg. altar cross), expressed through the geometric patterns and animal or human figures shown.

Kirila Cvetkovska