the Middle Ages

Art in the Middle Ages is usually divided into two periods:
The Early Middle Ages, which ran from the 5th to the 9th century, mainly marked by the art of illuminating the letters by the monks in the monastries.
The Late Middle Ages which are devided into a first period dominated by Romanesque art (end of 10th century to the 12th century) greatly influenced by the Carolingian era and religion; and a second period in which Gothic art appeared (end of the 12th century to the 15th century) in northern Europe, at a time when villages turned into cities thanks to trade. The bourgeoisie exerted a great influence on the development of society and adopted a new style: the Gothic style. Despite its still well-known symbolism, Gothic art was a much more natural and anecdotal art than Romanesque art.