Romanesque simplified

intro

The Romanesque Period occurred during the 11th century in an era known as the Middle Ages, when class systems, trade, and academia were in the early stages of development. Society was governed by a feudal system that only one institution evaded: the Christian Church. The Church reigned supreme over the entire feudal system, allowing figures such as bishops to gain major political influence. The Church was undoubtedly the most powerful force during this time, and used its large sum of funds harvested through taxation to create memorable architecture. This architecture, typically taking the form of cathedrals, was built with the intention of creating landmarks for travelling pilgrims to make use of while on their long and hard spiritual journeys across Europe.

Cluny Abbey

• 11th century

• Cluny III → 3rd built on site

• Brick + Ashlar Masonry

• 5 aisles, 2 transepts, ambulatory, radiating chapels

• Octogonal towers → light

• Demolished → French Revolution → old establishment → one transept left

Cluny Abbey Artwork

• much lost but some recovered from rubble of choir during excavations

• Sculptures represent Georgian Chant preformed by monks.

• figured playing instruments and dancing

• sacred music into sculpture

St Magdalene Vezlay and significance of groin vaulting

• Exterior destroyed → French Revolution → interior remains

• Nave divided into groin-vautled bays → sense of height and upward movement

• Alternating ocher and white stone → checkered pattern

• Islamic architecture

Significance of groin vaulting

• innovative

• thinner walls and larger windows compared to earlier vaulting systems

• however, did not solve structural problems.

• thrust

• resolved later on with Gothic flying buttresses 12th century

Art Elements and Design Principles (architechtural features) (The a likes vertical j)

1. Tympanum - a space enclosed by the arch of the doorway, frequently filled with carved relief

2. Archivolts - Ornamental moulding or bands surrounding the arches that frame the tymapanum

3. Lintel - Horizontal beam over a window or door or between two posts.

4. Jambs - sides of a doorway, sometimes in form of columns decorated with abstract craving

5. Voussoir - a wedge-shaped stone, used in the building of an arch or vault

Romanesque Sculpture

The Last Judgement tympanum at St. Foy de Conques.

The Last Judgement at St. Lazare Cathedral, Autun.

Capital Sculptures (Autun) - "The Flight into Egypt", "The Dream of Magi", The Suicide of Judas",

The Last Judgement tympanum at St. Foy de Conques.

• western portal of the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy in Conques, France.

• 12th century from sandstone

• seen by pilgrims entering the church., consequences of sin and the importance of repentance

• The composition is symmetrical and balanced, directing attention towards Christ, who occupies the centre of the sculpture.

• A doorway at his feet separates Paradise from Hell, symbolising salvation and damnation.

• Across the tympanum, scenes of punishment show sinners suffering for their wrongdoing, including a man hanging upside down for gluttony.

• The figures are carved in relief, making them project from the background and appear lifelike.

• However, their elongated limbs and unnatural poses create an unsettling appearance that reinforces the warning message. A Latin inscription along the base reads, “O Sinners, if you do not change your ways, know that you will suffer a dreadful fate.”

• lliterate

Q: Discuss The Last Judgement at St. Lazare Cathedral, Autun.

•  12th-century limestone tympanum western portal of St. Lazare Cathedral in Autun

• Gislebertus

• Jesus, centre, large scale, focal point, arm outstretched in blessing as he sits in mandorla, feet resting on symbol of earth.

• right of him → Mary enthrones, arms out in blessing, apostles beneath her and angel blowing trumpet to awaken the dead. St Peter guiding people towards heaven (three worthy children and a man who carries bag which reflects the pilgrimages he went on)

• left of him → Archangel Michael and a grotesque gargoyle weighting souls of the damned. People walking into hell (man with money bag (hoarding and greed) and adultress with snakes biting her). warning symbols.

•  carved in high relief, making them stand out dramatically from the background.

The three captial sculptures in the Autun Cathedral

the flight into egypt, the dream of the magi, the suicide of judas

Capital Sculptures (Autun Cathedral)

• limestone and were carved in high relief

• sombre or gruesome imagery

•  "The Flight into Egypt", show the holy family escaping for Egypt upon being told King Herod was plotting to kill the baby Jesus and “The Dream of Magi" shows three kings being warned not to return to Herod after seeing the baby Jesus. deliver warnings about staying away from evil and being loyal to Jesus

• “The Suicide of Judas", which shows Judas hanging himself after betraying Jesus, accompanied by grotesque devils which pull the ropes around his neck. A very clear image is given of what happens to those who betray Jesus, and the loose hanging of Judas' limbs crafts a very disturbing and unsettling image.