Saint John Abbey, Müstair: Difference between revisions

The '''Abbey of Saint John''' ({{lang-gerde|Benediktinerinnenkloster St. Johann}},; {{lang-rm|Claustra benedictina da Son Jon}}) is an ancient[[Early Middle Ages|early medieval]] [[Benedictine]] [[monastery]] in the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] municipality of [[Val Müstair]], in the Canton of [[Graubünden]]. By reason of its exceptionally well-preserved [[Cultural heritage|heritage]] of [[Carolingian art]], it has been a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] since 1983.

The [[Charlemagne|Carolingian Renaissance]] is deeply in debt to the success of [[Charlemagne]] as a king and patron, and the driving force behind what we see here in St John Abbey. Throughout history, art, education and leisure have all only truly thrived in times of peace, although war is often the most important factor for technological change. In the early Middle Ages the constant conflicts between the Frankish Kingdoms hindered the artistic progress previously enjoyed by the Romans when their empire was at its height. Under [[Charlemagne]]'s prosperous kingship, the introduction of a new peacetime monastic order began, paving the way for the [[frescos]] and architecture seen at Saint John Abbey.<ref>J. Hubert, The Carolingian Renaissance (George Braziller, New York 1970) p.XI</ref>

The figures seen in the frescos of St Johns are of balanced and symmetrical composition, and throughout the church this creates a sense of story and rhythm. The artist’s rapid application of paint and his use of brightness are a means of drawing attention to certain images over others, and shows the complexity and sophistication of the artist's skill. There is a clear link between the frescos seen here in Mustair and those seen in the [[CharlemagneCastelseprio (archaeological park)#Frescoes|Lombard Church of Santa Maria foris portas di Castelseprio]], has led some academics to believe that the artist were either local or at the very least familiar with the work seen there.<ref>Marco Abate (editor), World heritage: Monumental Sites (Skira Editore, Italy 2003) p. 288</ref> One of the main reasons for the popularity of paintings was the fact that literacy is not required. As a result of this, the stories of Christianity and the messages that the clergy wish to share become more easily accessible to the masses that may or may not be literate.<ref>Hubert p.&nbsp;27</ref> The Abbey of St John holds some of the most important biblical stories. These stories hold greater implications for the modern day viewer as it shows what was considered to be the most important elements of Christianity at the time.

The original single [[nave]] church with five [[apse]]s has several significant [[Early Middle Ages]] [[fresco]]es from around 800. The paintings are organized in five rows that stretch from the southern wall across the west wall to the northern wall. The top row features scenes from the life of [[David|King David]] of the [[Hebrew Bible]]/[[Old Testament]]. The next three rows show scenes from the youth, life, and [[Passion (Christianity)|Passion]] of Christ. The bottom row contains scenes from the [[crucifixion]] of St. Andreas. On the western wall the rows are tied together with an image of the [[Last Judgment]].<ref name="Kulturfuhrer">{{cite book |author=Flüeler |first=Niklaus |title=Kulturführer Schweiz |languagelast2=GermanGloor |authorfirst2=Niklaus Flüeler, Lukas Gloor,|last3=Rucki |first3=Isabelle Rucki (eds.)|publisher=Limmatdruck AG|location=Spreitenbach |year=1982 |location=Spreitenbach |pages=254–5 |language=German}}</ref> The paintings were done in a limited range of colors including [[ochre]], red, and brown and help in the "comprehension of the evolution of certain Christian iconographic themes, like that of the last judgment".<ref name=ICOMOS />

The apses and the eastern wall were repainted in the 12th century with [[Romanesque art|Romanesque]] frescoes showing a variety of [[Bible|biblical]] themes including the dinner of [[Herod Antipas]] (where the dancing of [[Herodias]]' daughter leads to the execution of [[John the Baptist]]<ref>{{Bibleverse||Matthew|14:6–11|NRSV}}; {{Bibleverse||Mark|6:19–28|NRSV}}</ref>), the [[Parable of the Ten Virgins|wise and foolish virgins]], [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostles]], and [[Saint Stephen|St. Stephen]].<ref name="HDS" />

*[http://www.muestair.ch/ Kloster Müstair] limited information in English