ROMANESQUE

In the 11th Century Christianity triumphed throughout Europe it dominated the social, political, and religious realms of the Western world and became the sponsor of art

A variety of factors contributed to the growth and development of this style:

The threat of Islam was over The barbarian raids from the north died down Eastern tribes were held in check Christianity was triumphing everywhere in Europe

ROMANESQUE - Characteristics
Style was influenced by the past traditions of ancient Roman, early Christian and Byzantine art no unified style

Spiritual and Emotional meant to evoke powerful responses Church building and sculptural decoration were the principal activities of artists during this period

The Mission of the Apostles. Tympanum of the central

portal of the narthex. 1120-1132. Sainte-Madeleine, Vezeley, France.

Vocabulary
Tympanum: A carved or decorated space over a door and
under the arch of a Romanesque or Gothic church faade. Doorways provided important focal points for sculpture

Facade: The front of a building Relief Sculpture: A sculptural surface which is not
freestanding, but projects from a background from which it is a part. (Low-relief or High-relief) Narthex: The porch or vestibule preceeding the main entrance of the church Mandorla: An almond-shaped outline enclosing the full figure of a person, usually Christ

Subject matter: Religious

Intended to help the people of the faith understand the teachings of the church. This sculpture shows Christ sending his apostles to preach to the world

Key Points:
This is an example of relief sculpture. Anyone entering the church would see this sculpture (tympanum) in the narthex of the church The figure of Christ in placed inside a mandorla It was expressive in nature and evoked emotional response form the viewer

Giselbertus. The Last Judgment. West Tympanum. About 1130. St. Lazare, Autun, France.

Subject Matter: Scene depicts the last judgment: the moment at the end of the world when Christians believe all of humankind will rise from the dead. Each will be judged worthy for heaven or condemned forever to hell

Romanesque Architecture
Tremendous boom in the construction of churches after the year 1000 tremendous relief and thankful celebration that the world did not come to an end Many churches in Italy and France were also destroyed by raids They needed to be rebuilt to be fireproof. This led to new structural elements in stone architecture being developed This led to the heavy, blocky look of Romanesque churches

Vocabulary
Crossing: the area where the transept intersects with the nave. Sometimes, a tower is built over this area emphasizing it as the focal area of the worship space Buttress: a massive support built against a wall to receive the lateral pressure exerted by a vault, roof or arch Ambulatory: the walkway around the apse of a church Apse: the area of a church that contains the altar

Structural Improvements
Wooden roofs replaced by masonry Barrel and Groin Vaults These were extremely heavy and required massive buttresses and thick walls for support Small windows so not to weaken walls Interiors were dark and had a heavy feeling

Buttress

Saint Sernin. About 1080. Toulouse, France

Tower above crossing

Buttress

Tower, St. Sernin

Interior, St. Sernin

St. Sernin
Key Points:
French pilgrimage church: built to hold multitudes of travelers on their way to sacred shrines Characteristics: Large apse and ambulatory, many small chapels and double side aisles helped to control the crowds Tower: a large tower over the crossing Buttresses and thick walls for support

Worms Cathedral, about 1016, Worms, Germany

German Romanesque architecture Heavy, fortress-like Strong Geometric forms Towers resemble turrets seen in castles

Bayeux Tapestry, about 1073, Wool embroidery on linen, Town hall, Bayeux, France

Subject Matter:

The Battle of Hastings inspired a work done in fabric Illustrates William the Conquerors invasion of England Richly embroidered panel of linen spread across Bayeux Cathedral

Detail of the Bayeux Tapestry