Untitled Flashcards Set

Romanesque

• Church of Saint Foy (Conques, France)

  • Built in the 11th century, it is a prime example of Romanesque architecture.

  • Known for its pilgrimage church design, with a large apse and radiating chapels.

  • Features thick stone walls, small windows, and a vaulted ceiling to create an atmosphere of awe.

  • The church was designed to accommodate pilgrims coming to see the relics of Saint Foy.

  • Barrel Vaults and Thick Walls for support.

  • The cruciform plan was typical, with a cross-shaped layout that facilitated the flow of pilgrims.

  • Romanesque churches were designed to be fortress-like and provide protection as well as spiritual solace.

• Reliquary of Saint Foy

  • A gold and jeweled container that housed the relics of Saint Foy (Fides), a Christian martyr.

  • Served not only as a sacred object but also as an object of veneration and pilgrimage.

  • The reliquary’s elaborate design and precious materials reflected the saint's importance.

  • It was created to attract pilgrims, emphasizing the spiritual and material value of relics.

  • It was meant to display the wealth and power of the church and to inspire devotion.

• Bayeux Tapestry

  • A 230-foot-long embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

  • It provides a detailed historical narrative, showing the invasion of England by William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings.

  • Depicts scenes of warfare, politics, and social life, making it both a historical and artistic treasure.

  • Use of flat, elongated figures that convey a sense of movement but with no deep perspective.

  • Bold outlines and clear iconography to communicate the story.

  • Limited use of color but rich detail, often with textual descriptions in Latin.

Gothic

• Chartres Cathedral (Chartres, France)

  • One of the most famous examples of French Gothic architecture, completed in the early 13th century.

  • Famous for its stained glass windows, particularly the rose window, and its flying buttresses.

  • A pilgrimage site due to its veneration of the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary.

  • Flying Buttresses: These external supports allowed for taller walls and larger windows, enabling the cathedral to feature vast stained-glass windows.

  • Pointed Arches and Ribbed Vaults: These features contributed to the height and lightness of the structure, a hallmark of Gothic design.

  • The use of verticality gives the cathedral a sense of reaching towards the heavens.

• Royal Portal (Chartres Cathedral)

  • The west façade of Chartres Cathedral, famous for its detailed sculptures depicting Christ and scenes from his life.

  • The portal is divided into three main sections, representing the incarnation of Christ, the Last Judgment, and the Virgin Mary.

  • These figures are more naturalistic than those of the Romanesque period and show the growing focus on human expression.

  • Greater naturalism and more detailed facial expressions.

  • Verticality and emphasis on light (with the windows and flying buttresses) versus Romanesque's heavy, solid construction.

  • Gothic architecture emphasizes spiritual transcendence through height and light, while Romanesque was more about solidity and fortification.

• Röttgen Pietà

  • A late Gothic sculpture, depicting the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ.

  • The figures are exaggerated in their emotional expression, with Mary’s sorrowful face and Christ’s body showing signs of suffering.

  • Reflects the Gothic era’s emphasis on human emotion and spiritual suffering.

  • The emotional intensity was new for religious art, encouraging viewers to empathize with the suffering of Christ and his mother.

  • The realism of the figures, particularly the body of Christ, contrasts with earlier, more abstract representations of religious figures.

• Westminster Hall (London, UK)

  • Built in the 11th century, Westminster Hall is a part of the Palace of Westminster.

  • The hammerbeam roof is a remarkable example of Gothic engineering, allowing for large, open spaces without central supports.

  • Hammerbeam Roof: An innovative timber construction that became a hallmark of Gothic architecture.

  • The great hall of Westminster was used for royal ceremonies, courts, and meetings.

• Dedication Page & Scenes from the Apocalypse (from the Moralized Bible)

  • A manuscript page illustrating the dedication of a Bible, often showing the donor presenting the work to a saint.

  • Scenes from the Apocalypse feature the last judgment, depicting terrifying, dramatic scenes from the Book of Revelation, typical of Gothic fascination with the afterlife.

  • These manuscripts were lavishly illuminated with gold leaf, rich colors, and highly detailed figures.

  • They reflect the Gothic era’s focus on divine judgment and the spiritual concerns of the time.

• Golden Haggadah (Illuminated Manuscript)

  • An illuminated manuscript created in 14th-century Spain for use during the Passover Seder.

  • Features gold leaf and vivid illustrations, showcasing scenes from the Exodus and Jewish tradition.

  • Rich, colorful illumination with attention to detail, typical of Gothic manuscript art.

  • Demonstrates the cultural intersection between Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions during the Gothic period.

Additional Terms

• Hammerbeam:

  • A type of roof construction that doesn’t require a central support beam, allowing for large open spaces in Gothic structures.

• Lancet:

  • A narrow, tall window with a pointed arch, typical of Gothic architecture, allowing for large stained-glass windows.

• Flying Buttress:

  • An external architectural support that allows for taller walls and windows, characteristic of Gothic design.

• Haggadah:

  • A Jewish ritual text used during the Passover Seder, often richly illuminated in the Gothic style.

• Jamb:

  • The vertical sides of a doorway or window frame, often adorned with sculpture in Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

• Rose Window:

  • A circular stained-glass window, often associated with Gothic cathedrals, symbolizing the divine light of God.

• Pietà:

  • A sculpture or painting depicting the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ, common in Gothic art and emphasizing emotional expression.

• Trumeau:

  • The central post or pillar that supports a doorway or entrance, often adorned with relief sculpture, found in Romanesque and Gothic churches.

• Moralized Bible:

  • A manuscript containing biblical text paired with illustrations designed to teach moral lessons, typical of the Gothic period.

• Rib Vault:

  • A vault with intersecting ribs that provide structural support, a key feature of Gothic architecture.