Romanesque Art

Romanesque Characteristics

• Romanesque” = “in the Roman manner

• Common across Europe; bridges Classical Roman and Gothic styles

• Architecture: semicircular arches, barrel vaults, thick walls

• Strong religious focus due to the rise of pilgrimage

• Reliquary: ornate container for relics; attracted pilgrims and income

Pilgrimage Architecture – Italy

Monastery San Miniato, Florence:

• Facade with geometric marble decoration

• Combines Romanesque form with local Italian style

Pilgrimage Architecture – France

• Church of Saint Foy, Conques:

  • Romanesque plan, barrel vaults

  • Tympanum: (a recessed space

    enclosed by a pediment or by an arch below a doorway) shows Last Judgment

  • Reliquary of Saint Foy: gold statue holding relics

• Church of Saint Trophime, Arles:

  • Rich portal sculpture, archivolts, cloister

Pilgrimage Art & Architecture - Spain

• Santiago de Compostela Cathedral:

  • Major pilgrimage site

  • Large Romanesque plan with barrel vaults

• Sant Clement in Taüll (Spain):

  • Christ Pantocrator in apse

  • Strong outlines, symbolic forms

• San Isidoro of León (Spain):

  • Rich biblical cycles done in stucco work. Mural paintings.

• Sculpture: Virgin from Ger

  • Carved wood, polychrome

  • Mary as Throne of Wisdom, seated with frontal child

  • Symbol of divine authority and maternal care

Pilgrimage Art & Architecture - Britain

• Durham Cathedral:

  • Early use of ribbed vaults, massive piers

  • Transitional between Romanesque and Gothic

Bayeux Tapestry (textile art)

• 70 meters long embroidered linen

• Tells the story of the Norman conquest of England (1066)

• Combines historical narrative and visual storytelling

• Important example of secular Romanesque art

Manuscripts - Germany

Annunciation from the Swabian Gospel:

• Bright colors, stylized forms

• Combines text with illustration for teaching