➿European Art and Civilization Before 1400 Unit 11 – Romanesque Art & Architecture

Key Characteristics of Romanesque Art

• Emerged in Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries following the Early Medieval period
• Characterized by its use of round arches, thick walls, and sturdy pillars to support the weight of heavy stone vaulted ceilings
• Incorporated elaborate sculptural decoration, particularly around portals and capitals, depicting religious scenes and symbolic motifs
• Featured a hieratic scale in figurative art where the size of figures was based on their spiritual importance rather than realistic proportions
• Utilized stylized, linear forms and flat, bold colors in painting, often arranged in geometric patterns
• Conveyed a sense of spirituality and otherworldliness through the use of abstract and symbolic imagery
• Served as a means of religious instruction for the largely illiterate population through visual storytelling (Biblical scenes, lives of saints)

Historical Context and Timeline

• Developed during a period of relative political stability and economic growth in Europe following the decline of the Carolingian Empire
• Coincided with the growth of monasticism and the influence of the Catholic Church in medieval society
• Reflected the religious fervor of the Crusades and the pilgrimage movement, which led to the construction of many churches along major routes
• Spanned roughly from the 11th to the 12th centuries, with regional variations and transitions to Gothic style occurring at different times
  • Early Romanesque period (c. 1000-1050) saw the development of key architectural features and sculptural styles
  • High Romanesque period (c. 1050-1150) marked the peak of the style, with the construction of many major churches and the refinement of decorative elements
  • Late Romanesque period (c. 1150-1200) saw a gradual transition towards Gothic features, such as pointed arches and more naturalistic sculpture

Major Romanesque Architectural Features

• Round arches used for windows, doors, and vaults, providing structural stability and a distinctive aesthetic
• Thick, solid walls with few windows, creating a sense of mass and permanence
• Large, sturdy pillars and columns supporting the weight of stone vaults and roofs
• Groin vaults formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults, allowing for wider spans and more complex interior spaces
• Buttresses used to support the lateral thrust of vaults and arches, often incorporated into the exterior design as decorative elements
• Elaborate sculptural decoration, particularly around portals (tympanum, lintel, jambs) and capitals, depicting religious scenes and symbolic motifs
• Use of polychrome (multi-colored) decoration in both sculpture and interior painting to enhance visual impact
• Incorporation of towers, particularly in church facades (westwork) and crossings, serving both structural and symbolic purposes

Famous Romanesque Buildings and Structures

• Pisa Cathedral complex (Italy), including the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, showcasing Romanesque architecture's blend of classical and medieval elements
• Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy in Conques (France), renowned for its elaborate sculptural decoration and the use of a pilgrimage-themed tympanum
• Durham Cathedral (England), notable for its innovative use of ribbed vaulting and the integration of Norman and Anglo-Saxon architectural elements
• Speyer Cathedral (Germany), one of the largest Romanesque churches, featuring a harmonious blend of architectural volumes and a richly decorated interior
• Cluny Abbey (France), a highly influential monastic complex that set the standard for Romanesque architecture and sculpture, though largely destroyed after the French Revolution
  • Cluny III, the largest church in Europe until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, exemplified the grandeur and ambition of Romanesque architecture
• Sant'Ambrogio in Milan (Italy), showcasing the Lombard Romanesque style with its distinct exterior decoration and innovative use of rib vaults

Romanesque Painting and Sculpture

• Wall paintings, often in the form of frescoes, used to decorate church interiors and convey religious narratives
  • Characterized by flat, stylized figures, bold outlines, and limited use of perspective
  • Notable examples include the frescoes at Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe (France) and Sant'Angelo in Formis (Italy)
• Illuminated manuscripts, such as the Winchester Bible and the Codex Calixtinus, showcased Romanesque painting on a smaller scale with intricate details and vibrant colors
• Monumental sculpture, particularly in church portals and capitals, served both decorative and didactic purposes
  • Tympanum reliefs often depicted Christ in Majesty (Maiestas Domini) or the Last Judgment, surrounded by apostles, angels, and other religious figures
  • Historiated capitals featured narrative scenes or symbolic motifs carved into the tops of columns
  • Sculptural decoration also included jamb statues, often depicting Old Testament figures or saints, flanking the portal entrance
• Metalwork, such as reliquaries, processional crosses, and altar furnishings, demonstrated the skill of Romanesque craftsmen and the importance of precious materials in religious art

Regional Variations in Romanesque Style

• French Romanesque, characterized by the use of large-scale stone sculpture, particularly in church portals (e.g., Autun Cathedral, Moissac Abbey)
• Italian Romanesque, influenced by classical Roman architecture and featuring distinct regional styles:
  • Tuscan Romanesque (e.g., Pisa Cathedral complex) incorporated marble decoration and classical elements
  • Lombard Romanesque (e.g., Sant'Ambrogio in Milan) featured unique exterior decoration and innovative vaulting techniques
• Spanish Romanesque, exemplified by the Pilgrim's Route churches (e.g., Santiago de Compostela), which blended French and Moorish influences
• German Romanesque, known for its imperial cathedrals (e.g., Speyer, Mainz) and the use of alternating support systems (columns and piers)
• Anglo-Norman Romanesque, characterized by massive, fortress-like churches (e.g., Durham Cathedral) and the integration of Norman and Anglo-Saxon elements
• Scandinavian Romanesque, influenced by Germanic and Anglo-Norman styles, featuring simple, sturdy churches with stepped gables and round arches

Influence on Later Art Movements

• Gothic architecture evolved from Romanesque, adopting and refining many of its key features, such as vaulting and sculptural decoration
  • Pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses allowed for taller, more spacious interiors and larger windows
  • Gothic sculpture became more naturalistic and expressive, while retaining the narrative and didactic functions of Romanesque art
• Romanesque revival in the 19th century, as part of the broader medieval revival movement, led to the construction of new churches and public buildings inspired by Romanesque forms and motifs
  • Examples include the Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.) and the Natural History Museum (London)
• Modern and contemporary artists have drawn inspiration from the bold, simplified forms and symbolic imagery of Romanesque art
  • Pablo Picasso's early works, such as "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," were influenced by the flattened, geometric forms of Romanesque painting and sculpture
  • Contemporary architects, such as Mario Botta and Ricardo Bofill, have incorporated Romanesque elements (e.g., round arches, solid walls) into their designs

Key Figures and Patrons

• Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis (c. 1081-1151), a French abbot and advisor to kings, who pioneered the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture in the rebuilding of his abbey church
• Master Mateo, a Spanish sculptor active in the late 12th century, known for his masterful Romanesque sculpture in the Portico de la Gloria at Santiago de Compostela
• Gislebertus, a French sculptor active in the early 12th century, renowned for his expressive and dynamic sculptures at Autun Cathedral
• Wiligelmo, an Italian sculptor active in the early 12th century, who created the elaborate reliefs on the facade of Modena Cathedral
• Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor (972-1024), a major patron of Romanesque architecture, responsible for the construction of several important churches (Bamberg Cathedral)
• William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England (c. 1028-1087), whose patronage led to the development of Anglo-Norman Romanesque architecture (Tower of London)
• Pope Callixtus II (c. 1065-1124), a significant patron of Romanesque art and architecture, particularly in Rome and southern France (Abbey of Saint-Gilles)
• Countess Matilda of Tuscany (1046-1115), a powerful Italian noblewoman and patron of Romanesque art, who commissioned several important churches (Pisa Cathedral complex)