AP Art History
Romanesque Art
 


 

INTRODUCTION:  The term Romanesque refers to a style that was "in the Roman manner." The architecture of the 11th and 12th century copied the same solid masaonry walls, rounded arches, and the masonry vaults used by Roman.

11 Characteristics that make "Romanesque" what it is:

  1. “Romanesque” is the first international style since the Roman Empire.
  1. Competition among cities for the largest churches, which continues in the Gothic period via a “quest for height.”
  1. Masonry (stone) the preferred medium. Craft of concrete essentially lost in this period. Rejection of wooden structures or structural elements.
  1. East end of church the focus for liturgical services. West end for the entrance to church.
  1. Church portals as “billboards” for scripture or elements of faith.
  1. Cruciform plans. Nave and transept at right angles to one another. Church as a metaphor for heaven.
  2. Elevation of churches based on basilican forms, but with the nave higher than the side aisles.
  1. Interiors articulated by repetitive series of moldings. Heavy masonry forms seem lighter with applied decoration.
  1. Bays divide the nave into compartments
  1. Round-headed arches the norm.
  1. Tripartite division of the elevation continues from the earlier periods.
 

France and Northern Spain

Introduction - The uniqueness of Romanesque churches was the result of a synthesis of builders working with individual sites, the purpose of the construction, the building materials, the labor force the was used, the builders' abilities and knowledge, and the desires of the project patrons.

 

Architecture - The basic for was basilica plan with key variations: masonry vaulting, the addition of ribs, masonry buttresses, and the intruduction of the ambulatory.

  • Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy, Conques, France, (fig. 15-2 & 15-3 ), mid 11th-12th century AD
  • Abbey Church of Cluny, Burgundy, France, 1088-1130 AD
  • Abbey Church of Notre-Dame, Fontenay, France, 1139-47 AD
    • Architectural Sculpture - Carved portal art was a significant change in Romanesque art. The earliest images, represent a combination of biblical narratives, folklore, history, and Christian symbolism. By the end of the period, the most common themes were scenes of Christ in Majesty and the Last Judgment.

  • South Portal and Porch, Priory Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac, Toulouse, France. c.1115-30
  • West portal, Cathedral of Saint-Lazare, Autun. c.1120-35/40
    • Wall Painting - It was during the Romanesque period, that church mosaics were replaced by wall paintings.

  • Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, Poitou, France. c.1100
  • Christ in Majesty, apse painting from Church of San Clemente, Spain. c.1123

    Books - The number of books that were produced increased dramatically between the 11th and 12th centuries. The majority were produced in monastic scriptoriums and varied in their size and embellishment. The lectionary became one of the most popular books.

    • England and Northern France

    Architecture - The British used masonry architecture in new and innovative forms. They experimented with stone vaulting as well as stone walls to surround the church complexes.

  • Castle-monastery-cathedral complex, Durham, England. c.1075-1100's
  • Church of Saint-Etienne, Normandy, France. Begun 1064.

    • Bayeux Tapestry - The Bayeux Tapestry is a wall hanging that depicts the events of the Norman Conquest of 1066. The tapestry was commissioned by Bishop Odo, the half brother of William the Conqueror. The work represents a major political document and historical record.

  • Bishop Odo Blessing The Feast, section 47-48, Bayeux Tapestry, 1066-82
  • Messengers Signal the Appearance of a Comet, panel 32, section 20, Bayeux Tapestry, 1066-82
    • The Holy Roman Empire, Ancient Rome and Romanesque Italy

    Introduction - Though politically divided, Italy experienced economic growth during the 11th century. Port cities such as Pisa, Genoa, and Venice developed a thriving Mediterranean trade. In 1063, Pisa was victorious over the Muslims and began the construction of a cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

  • Church of Sant'Ambrogia, Milan, Italy. begun 1080
  • Cathedral Complex, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. begun 1063
  • Church of San Clemente, Rome. c.1120-30  
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