Romanesque to Gothic Art

overview and architectura Saint-Sernin Cathedral

Toulouse, France

Romanesque

❖ Increased size of design to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims.
❖ Concrete construction: referencing back to ancient Rome
❖ Barrel vault roof would safeguard from fire and increase acoustics
❖ Tend to be dark- heavy concrete walls do not allow for large windows
❖ Austere from the outside and austere on the inside. Idea of elegance and piety (focusing more on the word of God)

overview and architectural plan significance

Judgement Day

Portal of Saint-Pierre, Moissac, France

Romanesque

❖ First monumental sculpture of the Medieval Period
❖ Iconography: icon + writing; appealed to an illiterate population-story telling through pictures.
❖ Depicts Christ on Judgment Day
❖ Figures are squat, abstract, Christ is flat and abnormally larger than the other figures.

❖ Coercion through fear.

jugement day significance

Rose Window Notre-Dame de Paris,

Paris, France

Gothic

- Christ in the center on the Last Judgement - Surrounded by the 12 apostles
- Important saints and martyrs to France
- More red than blue to mimic the sun and symbolic of the blood of Christ
- Outer circle features trefoil designs

rose window significance

Notre-Dame de Paris (façade)

Paris, France

gothic

Strategic location; the heart of the city

Theological power and worldly power, located right next to The Louvre (former palace)

Tallest church within Europe; constructed over the course of 100 years: 1163-1250 Even further elaboration of the flying buttresses

notre dame de paris facade significance