ROMANESQUE ART
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Test Strategies and Concepts for ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
IMPORTANCE OF THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY
The history behind the making of the Bayeux Tapestry, actually a work of embroidery, allows students to
review issues of patronage. A major document of the Norman invasion, this brilliant art object can
frequently be used as an example in long essay responses on the AP* exam. Understanding the story of
the tapestry, and identifying major episodes from it, can be useful facts for students to know.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Test Strategies and Concepts for ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
IMPORTANCE OF THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY
The history behind the making of the Bayeux Tapestry, actually a work of embroidery, allows students to
review issues of patronage. A major document of the Norman invasion, this brilliant art object can
frequently be used as an example in long essay responses on the AP* exam. Understanding the story of
the tapestry, and identifying major episodes from it, can be useful facts for students to know.
ELEMENTS OF ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
The Romanesque style and how it differs from Classical architecture and Gothic architecture, which
students will learn about in the next chapter, is the single most important concept that students should
remember from this period.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Test Strategies and Concepts for ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
IMPORTANCE OF THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY
The history behind the making of the Bayeux Tapestry, actually a work of embroidery, allows students to
review issues of patronage. A major document of the Norman invasion, this brilliant art object can
frequently be used as an example in long essay responses on the AP* exam. Understanding the story of
the tapestry, and identifying major episodes from it, can be useful facts for students to know.
ELEMENTS OF ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
The Romanesque style and how it differs from Classical architecture and Gothic architecture, which
students will learn about in the next chapter, is the single most important concept that students should
remember from this period.
DECIPHERING CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM
New images of Christian iconography appear in Romanesque art. Gislebertus's LAST JUDGMENT from
Autun is a good example of the evolving body of Christian symbolism.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
The Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry was probably
commissioned in the 1070s by Bishop
Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William
the Conqueror. It is over 70 metres long
and although it is called a tapestry it is in
fact an embroidery, stitched not woven in
woollen yarns on linen. Some historians
argue that it was embroidered in Kent,
England. The original tapestry is on
display at Bayeux in Normandy, France.
This is one of the first recordings of
an historical event shortly after it
happened.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Bayeux Tapestry, c1066-1082. NORMAN or ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
ISTI MIRANT STELLA = “These ones look at the star.” It’s Halley’s Comet!
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
11 important aspects of Romanesque
architecture
1. “Romanesque” is the first international
style since the Roman Empire. Also
known as the “Norman” style in England.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
11 important aspects of Romanesque
architecture
1. “Romanesque” is the first international
style since the Roman Empire. Also
known as the “Norman” style in England
2. Competition among cities for the largest
churches, which continues in the Gothic
period via a “quest for height.”
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
11 important aspects of Romanesque
architecture
1. “Romanesque” is the first international
style since the Roman Empire. Also
known as the “Norman” style in England
2. Competition among cities for the largest
churches, which continues in the Gothic
period via a “quest for height.”
3. Masonry (stone) the preferred medium.
Craft of concrete essentially lost in this
period. Rejection of wooden structures or
structural elements.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
11 important aspects of Romanesque
architecture
1. “Romanesque” is the first international
style since the Roman Empire. Also
known as the “Norman” style in England
2. Competition among cities for the largest
churches, which continues in the Gothic
period via a “quest for height.”
3. Masonry (stone) the preferred medium.
Craft of concrete essentially lost in this
period. Rejection of wooden structures or
structural elements.
4. East end of church the focus for
liturgical services. West end for the
entrance to church.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
5. Church portals as “billboards” for scripture
or elements of faith.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
5. Church portals as “billboards” for scripture
or elements of faith.
6. Cruciform plans. Nave and transept at right
angles to one another. Church as a
metaphor for heaven.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
5. Church portals as “billboards” for scripture
or elements of faith.
6. Cruciform plans. Nave and transept at right
angles to one another. Church as a
metaphor for heaven.
7. Elevation of churches based on basilican
forms, but with the nave higher than the
side aisles.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
8. Interiors articulated by
repetitive series of
moldings. Heavy masonry
forms seem lighter with
applied decoration.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
8. Interiors articulated by
repetitive series of
moldings. Heavy masonry
forms seem lighter with
applied decoration.
9. Bays divide the nave into
compartments
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
8. Interiors articulated by
repetitive series of
moldings. Heavy masonry
forms seem lighter with
applied decoration.
9. Bays divide the nave into
compartments
10. Round-headed arches are
the norm.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
8. Interiors articulated by
repetitive series of
moldings. Heavy masonry
forms seem lighter with
applied decoration.
9. Bays divide the nave into
compartments
10. Round-headed arches are
the norm.
11. Small windows in
comparison to buildings to
withstand weight
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Church of St. Etienne
Caen, France
1115-1120
ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Church of St. Etienne, 1115-1120. ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Vaulted Ceilings
Ribs
Tribune / Gallery
Clustered Piers
Ambulatory
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
This church was first constructed in
the honor of the city’s first bishop,
Saint Saturninus (Saint Sernin in
French), who was martyred in the
middle of the third century.
Aerial view (southeast) of Saint-Sernin,
Toulouse, France ca 1070-1120
This church served as an important
stop for pilgrims traveling to Santiago
de Compostela in northwestern
Spain.
Pilgrims would flock to this church by
the masses, and the church had been
designed specifically to accommodate
them.
The plan of this church closely
resembles that of Santiago de
Compostela’s and Saint Martin at
Tours and exemplifies what has come
to be called the “pilgrimage type”.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Identify THESE parts of the church layout!
Layout of Saint-Sernin,
Toulouse, France ca 1070-1120
radiating
chapels
ambulatory
transept
upper
galleries
(tribunes)
large nave
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
This is one of seven marble slabs, representing
angels, apostles, and Christ, made for the great
pilgrimage church of Saint-Sernin at Toulouse.
An inscription states that the artist was a certain
Bernardus Geldunius, 1096.
Christ sits in a mandorla (a medieval Christian
artistic convention by which an oval or almondshaped area or series of lines surrounds a deity,
most commonly Jesus.) His right hand raised in
blessing, his left hand resting on an open book
inscribed with the words “Pax vobis” (”Peace be
unto you”).
The signs of the Four Evangelists occupy the
slab’s corners. Above are the eagle of St. John
and the angel of St. Matthew. Below are the
ox of St. Luke and the lion of St. Mark.
Bernardus Geldunius,
Christ in Majesty, Saint-Sernin, ca 1096.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Most critics consider the abbey church of
Saint-Étienne at Caen the masterpiece of
Norman Romanesque architecture. It was
begun by William of Normandy in 1067 and
must have advanced rapidly, as he was buried
there in 1087.
The spires were added to the towers during the
Gothic age in an attempt to bring the structure
closer to the heavens.
The use of these groin vaults gave the interior
a more spacious feel, and allowed for the
addition of large windowed arches in the third
story. The result reduced the interior wall
suface and gave Saint-Étienne’s nave a light
and airy quality that is unusual in the
Romanesque period.
West facade of Saint-Étienne,
Caen, France, begun 1067
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Most critics consider the abbey church of
Saint-Étienne at Caen the masterpiece of
Norman Romanesque architecture. It was
begun by William of Normandy in 1067 and
must have advanced rapidly, as he was buried
there in 1087.
The spires were added to the towers during the
Gothic age in an attempt to bring the structure
closer to the heavens.
The use of these groin vaults gave the interior
a more spacious feel, and allowed for the
addition of large windowed arches in the third
story. The result reduced the interior wall
suface and gave Saint-Étienne’s nave a light
and airy quality that is unusual in the
Romanesque period.
Interior of Saint-Étienne,
Caen, France, ca 1115-1120
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Church of Sainte-Foy
Conques, France. c1050-1130CE.
ROMANESQUE
In the 11th century a new church was begun
which was completed by the mid 12th
century. This Romanesque pilgrimage church
became a major stage on the pilgrimage road
to Santiago de Compostela.
The site became famous because it housed
the relics of Sainte Foy (Faith), the daughter
of a wealthy family in Agen who had
converted to Christianity and thus refused to
sacrifice to the pagan gods.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Church of Sainte-Foy
Conques, France. c1050-1130CE.
ROMANESQUE
Once the relics were situated at Conques,
they attracted many pilgrims; stories of the
blind seeing again or prisoners being freed
are attributed to the saint's intercession. (The
depiction of Sainte Foy on the tympanum of
the church includes shackles hanging above
her figure as a way of emphasizing these
miracles.) Today in the Treasury of the
church one can see some of the most
fabulous golden religious objects in France,
including the very famous gold and jewelencrusted reliquary statue of St. Foy.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Church of Sainte-Foy
Conques, France. c1050-1130CE.
ROMANESQUE
Although the nave of the church is short,
the height is remarkable. It is 68 feet
high, which is somewhat taller than the
largest of the pilgrimage churches (St.
Sernin in Toulouse).
The tall arcade is carried on square piers
with either flat pilasters or half columns
on each side--this rhythmical alternation
is actually seen in an alternate support
system in some Romanesque naves.
These pilasters or half columns extend
up to the vaults. At the second level,
galleries in effect serve as buttresses for
the stone ceiling.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Reliquary of Sainte-Foy
Gold, silver, gemstones, enamel over
wood,1050-1130 CE.
ROMANESQUE
Among the richest of the cloister crafts was
metal working. The work of the metal smith
might become a special kind of treasure when
jewels donated by pilgrims were attached to a
piece. One such piece is the reliquary statue of
Saint Foy (Faith) in Conques, France. It is a
repository of gems from many periods.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Reliquary of Sainte-Foy
Gold, silver, gemstones, enamel over
wood,1050-1130 CE.
ROMANESQUE
Sainte Foy (English: Saint Faith) was born in
the third century CE in the French city of Agen.
She became a martyr for the Christian faith
when she was killed by the Romans for refusing
to worship pagan gods. She was believed to
have only been twelve years old when she died.
Her relics, or her remains, remained at the
basilica in Agen until the ninth century, when
they were taken to Conques. The Abbey at
Conques was a stop along the route to the
shrine of Saint James at Compostela; however,
it became a popular pilgrimage site itself due to
the miracles associated with Sainte Foy who
was believed to be particularly good at curing
blindness.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Cathedral Complex, Pisa, Italy
cathedral begun 1063, baptistry begun 1153, campanile begun 1174
Save for the upper portion of the
baptistry, with its remodeled Gothic
exterior, the three structures are
stylistically Romanesque.
The construction of this cathedral in
Pisa began in the same year as that of
Saint Mark’s in Venice.
The goal of the project was not only to
create a monument to God, but also to
bring credit to the city.
The cathedral’s campanile, detached
in the standard Italian fashion, is the
famous “Leaning Tower of Pisa”. The
tilted vertical axis is the result of a
settling foundation. It began to “lean”
even while under construction and now
inclines some twenty-one feet out of
plumb at the top.
The “Leaning Tower” is highly complex in its rounded form, as its stages are
marked by graceful arcaded galleries that repeat the cathedral’s facade motif
and effectively relate the tower to its mother building.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
ITALIAN ROMANESQUE
Italian provinces developed a great
diversity of Romanesque architectural
styles.
Tuscan and Roman churches featured
classical Corinthian capitals and
acanthus borders, as well as colored
marble in geometric patterns; open
arcades, colonnades, and galleries;
and facades with sculptures in relief.
In southern Italy, a rich style combining
Byzantine, Roman, Arabic, Lombard,
and Norman elements was created,
with lavish use of mosaic decorations
and interlaced pointed-arch arcades.
Pisa Baptistry, Pisa, Italy baptistry begun 1153
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Pisa Cathedral Complex – Pisa, Italy (begun in 1063) ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Pisa Cathedral Complex – Pisa, Italy (begun in 1063) ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Florence is always associated with the
Renaissance of the 15th and 16th centuries, but it
was already an important independent city-state
during the Romanesque era.
This structure was dedicated to the patron San
Giovanni (St. John) by Pope Nicholas III in 1059.
Freestanding Italian baptistries such as this and
the one at Pisa are unusual and reflect the great
significance the Florentines and Pisans attached
to baptisms.
In plan, San Giovanni is a domed octagon,
enwrapped on the exterior by a graceful arcade,
three arches to a bay. It has three entrances, one
each on the north, south and east sides. On the
west side an oblong sanctuary replaced the
original semicircular apse.
Baptistry of San Giovanni,
Florence, Italy, ca 1059
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Christ in Majesty, Saint- Pierre Moissac, France, ca 1115-1135
This frieze, in southwestern France,
announces the end of the human race
(the Last Judgment)
This church was an important stop
along the pilgrimage route to Santiago
de Campostela.
The monks, enriched by the gifts of
pilgrims and noble benefactors,
adorned their church and its cloister,
with one of the most extensive series
of sculptures of the Romanesque age.
cloister: a special place for religious
seclusion- used by monks
Christ occupies the center of the
composition and is again flanked by
the symbols of the Four Evangelists.
(Left) eagle, ox
(Right) angel, lion
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Christ in Majesty, Saint- Pierre Moissac, France, ca 1115-1135
To one side of each pair of signs is
an attendant angel holding scrolls
to record human deeds for
judgment. The figures of crowned
musicians, which complete the
design, are the Twenty-Four Elders
who accompany Christ as the
kings of this world and make music
in his praise.
Two courses of wavy lines
symbolizing the clouds of Heaven
divide the Elders into three tiers.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Christ in Majesty, Saint- Pierre Moissac, France, ca 1115-1135
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Below the tympanum of Moissac are the richly
decorated trumeau and elaborate door jambs
with scalloped contours.
The figure on this trumeau is debatable.
Some scholars believe it to be Jeremiah, and
others think it to be Isaiah.
Whoever the prophet is, he diplays the scroll
where his prophetic vision is written
Lions and Old Testament Prophet
Moissac, France ca 1115-1130
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Gislebertus, Last Judgment (from Saint-Lazzare) ca 1120-1135
This scene depicts the Judgment in
progress, announced by four trumpetblowing angels.
Once again, Christ sits enthroned in the
center of the tympanum in a mandorla that
angels support. He presides over the
separation of the Blessed from the Damned.
On the left, when facing the tympanum, an
obliging angel boosts one of the Blessed
into the heavenly city. Below, the souls of
the dead are lined up to await their fate.
On the left end of the lintel, two men carry
bags with a cross and shell, symbolic of the
pilgrims to Jerusalem and Santiago de
Compostela. Those who had made the
difficult journey would be judged favorably.
To thier right of the two men are three small
figures begging to an angel to intercede on
their behalf. The angel responds by
pointing to the Judge above.
To Christ’s left, are all those condemned to Hell. One poor
soul is plucked from the earth by giant hands.
Angels and devils contest at the scales, each trying to
manipulate the balance for or against a soul.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Gislebertus, Last Judgment (from Saint-Lazzare) ca 1120-1135
To Christ’s left, are all those condemned to Hell. One poor
soul is plucked from the earth by giant hands!
Angels and devils contest at the scales, each trying to
manipulate the balance for or against a soul.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Key Questions When Studying ROMANESQUE ART
PILGRIMAGES…
Why were there so many?
How did they affect the building of Churches?
CHURCHES…
Why were Churches at this time given the name ‘Romanesque’?
What were the common elements of a Romanesque Church?
HISTORY…
How did William the Conqueror’s victory in England affect them?
What is the Bayeux Tapestry, and what’s so special about it?
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
DO YOU KNOW THESE
Art History TERMS?
trumeau
lintel
campanile
buttress
cloisonne
ribs
mandorla
lantern
archivolt
clustered pier
undercutting
groin vault
voussoir
jamb
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Gislebertus’ Name carved here below Christ’s feet
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
The
Blessed
&
The
Damned
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Simple Guide to Understanding
Romanesque Art
▪ Spans across many countries & styles
▪ Small Windows, thick stone walls
▪ Many Churches had Gothic spires added later
▪ Long Ribbed Vaults in the Nave
▪ Small piers used as buttresses
▪ Decorative Tympanums & Portals
▪ More side aisles and ambulatories to meet needs of pilgrimages
(i.e. outside galleries)
▪ Addition of the separate Baptistry
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Modena Cathedral
Modena, Italy
1099-1110
ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Wiligelmo, Creation and Temptation of Adam and Eve, Modena
Cathedral, Italy, 1110. ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Compare and contrast the two reliefs.
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Other examples
ENGLISH ROMANESQUE
Durham Cathedral
Before the 10th century, most English
buildings were wood; stone buildings
were small and roughly constructed.
The Norman Romanesque style
replaced the Saxon style in England
after the Norman Conquest in 1066,
and from about 1120 to 1200, builders
erected monumental Norman
structures, including numerous
churches and cathedrals. The long,
narrow buildings were constructed with
heavy walls and piers, rectangular
apses, double transepts, and deeply
recessed portals. Naves were covered
with flat roofs, later replaced by vaults,
and side aisles were usually covered
with groined vaults.
Canterbury Cathedral
ROMANESQUE ART
Romanesque Art
Other examples
Worms Cathedral
(Worms, Germany)
ROMANESQUE ART