Unit 3: Romanesque Art

clerestory

A high section of wall that contains windows above eye level, allowing natural light to illuminate the interior of a building, commonly found in churches.

barrel vault

A continuous series of arches that forms a tunnel-like structure, often used in Romanesque architecture to create large, open spaces.

groin vault

A vault formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults, creating a unique architectural space often used in Romanesque and Gothic buildings.

transverse arches

Arches that span the width of a vault, helping to support the structure and distribute weight in Romanesque architecture.

square schema

A geometric layout used in Romanesque architecture, characterized by a square plan often employed in the design of churches and other religious buildings.

reliquaries

Containers used to hold and display relics of saints or holy figures, often elaborately designed and crafted, important in Romanesque art and architecture.

tympanum

The semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, often adorned with relief sculptures in Romanesque architecture.

jamb

Vertical sides of a doorway or window, often elaborately decorated with sculptures in Romanesque architecture.

last judgment tympanum at autun

A famous tympanum sculpture depicting the final judgment of souls, located at the Cathedral of Saint Lazare in Autun, France, exemplifying Romanesque artistry and theological themes.

bayeux tapestry

An embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066, showcasing Romanesque narrative art.

hildegard of bingen

A 12th-century Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, and visionary known for her contributions to theology and music, as well as her vivid mystical visions.