Norman Art refers to the style of art that was developed and employed by the Normans in Europe.
The Bayeux Tapestry dates back to the 11th century and is an example of embroidery commissioned by the Normans.
The problem with a blanket term is that Normans, who initially settled down in Normandy in the 10th century, were ranging into England, southern Italy, Sicily, Ireland, and Scotland by the end of the 11th century.
As the Normans wrested control of these territories and settled down, they evolved distinct styles of art and architecture in each region. It is consequently difficult to categorize Norman art in these different regions under an umbrella term.
Norman People
Norman art relied heavily on the Roman legacy of Western Europe. However, in areas such as southern Italy, Norman art was characterized by significant influences from Arab, Greek, and Lombard art traditions.
Norman mosaics, in particular, were characterized by a strong influence on classical Greek artwork.
Normandy was the earliest region in Western Europe where Normans first settled. It was here that the earliest instances of Norman art began in the 11th century when the Norman nobility began to patronize intellectual activities in monasteries.
The result was a series of illustrated manuscripts, many of which were borrowed from Anglo-Saxons in the north and the Franks in style.
Christ Pantocrator
The largest body of extant specimens of Norman art exists in Italy. Here Norman stonework and metalwork borrowed significantly from classical Greek, Arab, and Lombard art traditions.
Metalwork flourished in Norman Italy and extant bronze sculptures dating back to the Norman period exist to this day. Ivory work also flourished significantly in Italy during Norman rule.
Most of the extant samples of Norman Art in England comprise the architecture which Normans erected following their 1066 invasion of England.
An unusual and highly significant piece, however, is the Bayeux Tapestry which is often included both in the Anglo-Saxon art heritage as well as the Norman art.
The Tapestry was commissioned by the Normans following the 1066 invasion but it was the handiwork of Anglo Saxon artisans. It is a huge piece of embroidery art that depicts the events leading up to the 1066 invasion.
