Romanesque Art

groin vault

the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults

tympanum

the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, door or window, which is bounded by a lintel and an arch

Romanesque

the art of Europe from approximately 1000 to the 13th century or later, depending on region

First Romanesque

the name given by Josep Puig i Cadafalch to refer to the Romanesque art developed in Catalonia since the late 10th century

Lombard band

a decorative blind arcade, usually exterior; rhythmic ornamental arches

Cistercian

a member of a monastic order related to the Benedictines, who hold a vow of silence

blind arcade

a decorative series of arches with no actual openings and no load-bearing function

vault

an arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling or canopy

pier

an upright support for a structure or superstructure such as an arch or bridge

Ottonian Renaissance

a minor renaissance that accompanied the reigns of the first three emperors of the Saxon Dynasty

Cluniac

of or related to the Benedictine order in Saône-et-Loire, France

Gislebertus

a French Romanesque sculptor, whose decoration (about 1120-1135) of the Cathedral of Saint Lazare at Autun, France—consisting of numerous doorways, tympanums, and capitals—represents some of the most original work of the period

archivolt

an ornamental molding or band following the curve on the underside of an arch

portal

an opening in a wall of a building, gate, or fortification, especially a grand entrance to an important structure

enamel

a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 1,380 and 1,560°; the powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass, or ceramics

polychromy

the practice of combining different colors, especially brilliant ones, in an artistic way

abacus

the uppermost portion of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave

architrave

the lintel or beam, typically made of wood or stone, that rests on the capitals of columns

iconographic

of or pertaining to a religious icon

Mosan

a regional style of art from the valley of the Meuse in present-day Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany

iconoclasm

the belief in, participation in, or sanction of the destruction of religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives

keeps

towers in a castle

motte

an earthen mound forming the site of a castle, camp, or fortification; often accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade

quatrefoil

a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter

lancet

a narrow, tall opening with a pointed arch

tituli

the labels or captions naming figures or subjects in art

truss

a framed roof consisting of rafters and a ceiling joist

Low Countries

a historical and geographically coastal lowland region in Northwestern Europe forming the lower basin of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta and consisting today of the three modern "Benelux" countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Also sometimes included are parts of France and the German regions of East Frisia, Guelders and Cleves.