Medieval Artists' Depictions of Ancient Armor and Architecture: Accuracy and Influence

Medieval artists had a level of knowledge about ancient armor and architecture, but their understanding was often limited and influenced by a combination of surviving artifacts, texts, and their contemporary context.

Armor and Garb

Surviving Artifacts: Some medieval artists would have seen remnants of Roman armor and clothing, particularly in regions where the Roman Empire had a significant presence. However, much of this knowledge was based on what survived rather than a comprehensive understanding.

Literary Sources: Medieval texts such as those by historians and poets sometimes described ancient attire and armor. Artists might reference these works for inspiration, but interpretations could be imaginative rather than accurate.

Stylistic Representation: Often, medieval artists depicted armor and clothing in a way that suited their own time period, which sometimes led to anachronisms in their artwork.

Architecture

Roman Ruins: Many medieval towns were built on or near Roman ruins, so artists could draw from direct observation. However, the architectural styles of the medieval period evolved significantly, leading to different aesthetics.

Influence of Gothic Architecture: As the medieval period progressed, the Gothic style emerged, which was distinctly different from classical Roman architecture. Artists often incorporated elements from ancient architecture but adapted them to fit contemporary styles.

The Renaissance and Cultural Transmission

The Renaissance, which followed the medieval period, saw a renewed interest in classical antiquity. This revival was partly due to the rediscovery of ancient texts and artifacts, leading to more accurate representations of ancient styles in art.

Despite this, medieval artists' depictions of ancient armor and architecture were often influenced by their own cultural context, leading to a blend of historical elements and contemporary styles.

The Truth Revealed: Lack of Antiquarian Knowledge

Medieval artists did not possess the level of knowledge that we might expect today. There were few antiquarian books written in the Middle Ages, and none of them contained pictures. The few attempts to depict the past in paintings simply painted it in modern European style, as in the case of Joshua in 12th-century Roman military dress.

Even the Roman Empire itself did not know what the Roman Empire looked like in the past. For example, a painting from the 1460s in Burgundy shows the Temple of Jerusalem, but it uses perspective, implying that it was drawn from a contemporary European's perspective rather than historical fact.

The practice of ahistorical representation in art continued until the Baroque era, where the Renaissance creation of sculptures with ancient garments meant that painters felt capable of using the same dress in their artwork.

In conclusion, medieval artists had some awareness of ancient armor, garments, and architecture, but their depictions were often influenced by their own cultural context, leading to a blend of historical elements and contemporary styles. The Renaissance marked a significant shift towards more accurate representations, driven by a renewed interest in classical antiquity and the rediscovery of historical artifacts.