Understanding European History Through Art
- The histories of European countries are not linear developments but rather complex and intertwined. The territories and rulers of each country have continuously changed over different periods. The political shifts can be likened to a tangled mess, resembling a story of a large family competing for power. From an artistic perspective, understanding the evolution of European art requires a focus on three key regions: Italy, France, and Germany.
- Italy, France, and Germany share a common historical backdrop—the division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western halves. After the Western Roman Empire was invaded and destroyed by northern barbarians, the region remained in chaos until Charlemagne (742-814) emerged, defeating the barbarians and establishing the Frankish Kingdom. After Charlemagne’s death, the Frankish Kingdom split into three parts: East, West, and Middle, which evolved into Germany, France, and Italy.
- Germany, which evolved from the East Frankish Kingdom, is essentially what we refer to as the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was not a top-down unified state but rather a vast German federation made up of countless kingdoms and duchies, each with its own leaders. Amid the backdrop of the Reformation, German art rejected superficial artistic forms and was influenced by this resistance. However, due to its emphasis on sincere worship of God, German art became inward-looking and introspective, leading to a flourishing of music. More than half of the world’s greatest musicians came from the German-speaking regions.
- Italy was part of the Middle Frankish Kingdom, but much of present-day Italy was not part of the original Middle Frankish Kingdom, including regions like northern Italy and Switzerland. Italy was never a unified state, with cities like Florence and Naples maintaining their independence. Italy’s artistic characteristics are primarily its mastery of figurative arts, particularly painting and sculpture, which achieved extraordinary heights. This was largely due to religious traditions that used art to spread religious teachings and solidify religious authority. As a result, the finest artworks and artists of the Renaissance, including the Renaissance trio and the Venetian School, all emerged from Italy.
- Compared to the other two regions, France’s development was more stable, with relatively few changes. It remained a relatively stable nation-state. Before the 19th century, France’s art was quite barren, with notable achievements only in architecture. The Gothic architectural style spread across Europe, leaving a lasting influence that still endures today. By the 19th century, Paris became the center of European art, with painting and music flourishing. However, it is difficult to pinpoint a distinctive “French” artistic style, as France became a melting pot of various cultural influences.
- To quickly grasp European art, understanding the dynamics of these three regions already covers a significant portion. In addition to Germany, France, and Italy, there are also some “special” regions worth attention. The Netherlands had a flourishing art scene, with brilliant achievements from the Renaissance through the Baroque period. Although Spain did not produce many great artists during the Renaissance, it did have many notable artistic highlights.
After Charlemagne’s death, the Frankish Kingdom was divided into three parts: East, West, and Middle, which eventually evolved into Germany, France, and Italy.
Tip:
Why is Italy not very good at fighting?
During World War II, Hitler once said, “Although Italy is our ally, I have to use five more divisions to protect it.” This shows that Italy was not very strong in warfare. The reason for this lies in the fact that Italy was not a unified country. It lacked the kind of unity and national sentiment that a major power typically has, and it did not possess the ability to rally the people in times of war.
