The tomb of Rudolf of Swabia is a prime example of Romanesque
sculpture.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Describe the expressive Romanesque artistry on the tomb of Rudolf of Swabia.
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
Rudolf of Rheinfelden was the alternative king, or antiking, for the politically oriented anti-Henry
German aristocrats. He died during the Great Saxon Rebellion.
Rudolf's tomb reflects the Romanesque love of inventive surface patterns, and an expressive
approach to the human body using elongation, unnatural poses and emphatic gestures to convey
states of mind.
The intricate metalwork on Rudolf's tomb is also indicative of Romanesque sculpture.
TERM [ edit ]
Romanesque
Refers to the art of Europe from approximately 1000 AD to the rise of the Gothic style in the 13th
century or later, depending on region.
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Background
Rudolf of Rheinfelden (c. 1025 – 15 October, 1080) was Duke of Swabia (1057–1079) and
German Antiking (1077–1080). He was the son of Count Kuno of Rheinfelden and eventually
became the alternative king or Antiking for the politically oriented anti-Henry German
aristocrats. This rebellion became known as the Great Saxon Revolt. He died as a result of
battle wounds as his faction met and defeated Henry's in the Battle of Elster.
Tomb of Rudolf of Swabia
Rudolf of Rheinfelden's tomb, located at
the cathedral of Merseburg, is an example
of Romanesque sculpture. Romanesque
sculpture is marked by a love of inventive
surface patterns and an expressive
approach to the human body, using
elongation, unnatural poses, and emphatic
gestures to convey states of mind. Rudolf's
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tomb reflects these Romanesque
characteristics. His body is elongated and lies with a scepter in one hand and an orb in the
other hand, symbolic of the royal title he claimed but never held in life. He is depicted in
royal garments and a crown .
The material used to construct the tomb also reflects the high status of metalwork in
Romanesque sculpture. Indeed, precious objects constructed from metalwork, enamelwork,
and ivorycarried a much higher significance than paintings. Metalwork, including decoration
in enamel, became especially sophisticated during the 10th and 11th centuries. Rudolf of
Rheinfelden's tomb reflects this aesthetic with its bronze relief of Rudolf's body encased
inside of a raised border edge. An inscription is also etched into the border, demonstrating
the metalworking skill that went into the construction of the tomb.
Tomb of Rudolf of Swabia
The tomb of Rudolf of Swabia is exemplary of Romanesque sculpture.