What were the purposes of Medieval art?
In general terms, medieval art served a religious purpose. More specifically, it was used for instruction, decoration and building. A major part of the art of the Middle Ages was architecture. Medieval art can be divided into three categories: Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic. Byzantine art combined the early Christian art with the Greek Oriental taste for rich decoration and colour. It took the form of mosaics and icons, as well as the central dome church, exemplified by the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, Turkey. Romanesque art took the form of frescoes and stylized scuptures. In architecture, it manifested itself in the barrel-vaulted church. Its purpose therefore was both decorative and functional, as was that of the Byzantine art. Gothic art also was used for embellishment. It can be found in the form of stained glass windows and sculpture. The sculpture was growing increasingly natural in its appearance. Its purpose also was functional as well as decorative. Examples can be found
