HAID: Romanesque

Age of faith

churches re-establishing itself as a strong unifying force

Monasticism

Monasteries become the center of education

Feudalism

Charlemagne’s kingdom was parceled out among his grandsons after his death

Knighthood knights

young sons of noble families in militaries

Crusades

series of religious expeditionary wars blessed by the Pope and the Catholic church, goal of restoring access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem.

Manorialism

economic system based upon limited land ownership and forced labor or serfs

Reliquaries

containers of relics or body parts, possessions of saints

Bayeux Tapestry

a unique embroidered narrative that resonates the events leading to the Battle of Hastings

Secular

denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis

Relics

an object that is physically associated from someone holy considered as miraculous objects

Sculpture

literature for the illiterate placed on portals at entrance to attract worshippers

Trumeau

central post supporting column between double doors

Tympanum

lunette or semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over door

Mandoria

almond shaped glow that encases the body of Christ

Westwork

western facade decorated with flanking this replaced Narthex

Blind arcading

a decorative architectural feature consisting of a series of arches applied to a wall, serving as decoration rather than providing actual openings or structural support

Archivolts

succession of receding arches

Atrium

a forecourt surrounded by porticoes

Narthex

portico before the nave for the penitents

Nave

principal or central part of the church extending from the narthex to the choir

Aisle

any of the longitudinal divisions separated from the nave

Transept

as wide as the nave forming a square at the crossing and consisting of the choir and apse

Altar

a table upon which the Eucharist is celebrated

Apse

a semi-circular or polygonal often vaulted recess termination of the sanctuary

Pulpit

Appointed raised structure for preaching

Baldachin

a canopy placed over an altar

Monasteries

houses a room reserved for prayer and domestic quarters for monks

Giorgio Vasari

identified three periods of artistic development: the "pioneers" (Cimabue and Giotto), the "instigators" (Masaccio, Brunelleschi, and Donatello), and the "accomplished masters" (Bramante, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo). 

Characteristics of Romanesque art

• revival of monumental artwork such as frescoes and relief sculpture

• stylized figures on columns and capitals

• westwork

Favorite Themes of Romanesque Art

• Majesty of Christ

• Last Judgement

• Torments of Hell