Transportation During the Middle Ages
"The Middle Ages are so called because they fall between twin peaks of artistic glory: the Classical period and the Renaissance."
~The Annotated Mona Lisa
~The Annotated Mona Lisa
The Middle ages was a time of innovation after the decline of Rome. Its initial period was from 565 A.D. to 800 A.D or the "Dark ages". During medieval times transportation saw much growth. Much renovation was found at sea. Ships were remodeled to fit larger quantities of people and supplies. Europe soon discovered the rudder allowing ships easier manuvering. Galley ships or oared ships were invented, and overall this idea of transportation by sea became more and more utilized. On land people mainly traveled by foot or horseback. The four wheeled cart was introduced making heavy loads easier to bare. Trains of horses were often used and mules as well. Although we find terrible road conditions during the middle ages and long tiresome journeys by foot were common, we also see growth and innovation during the Middle Ages.
"The Journey of the Magi"
by: Stefano di Giovanni
1435
Tempera and gold on wood
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
by: Stefano di Giovanni
1435
Tempera and gold on wood
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
In this depiction of a journey. Men in brightly colored garments travel by horseback and by foot down a steep hill. there is this sense of community as the men turn their heads to one another in conversation. The different poses of the horses express this same sense of movement we see throughout the galleries and ages.
"Carlomagno Encabeza Sus Tropas"
From the Choniques de France
by: Antoine Verard
1490
Location: National Library, Paris, France
From the Choniques de France
by: Antoine Verard
1490
Location: National Library, Paris, France
Here Charlemagne is shown riding on horseback. We see the commonality of riding horseback not as sport but as a form of transportation.
"The King Arthur and his Knight boarding Towards Holy Land"
From the Chroniques de France
by: Antoine Verard
1490
Location: National Library, Paris, France
From the Chroniques de France
by: Antoine Verard
1490
Location: National Library, Paris, France
In this fictional account of King Arthur's Journey to the Holy Lands we see the utilization of boats. The vessel is simple and wooden with two masts. We see that slowly forms of transportation are developing.