Chapter 10: Romanesque Europe - Notes

Romanesque Europe

Introduction

• Themes:

  • Pilgrimages

  • Elements of Romanesque architecture

  • Romanesque rationalism in architecture

  • Sculpture (placement, iconography, purpose)

  • Cult of relics

• Pilgrimage Routes:

  • Purple lines indicate routes.

  • Green star marks the main pilgrimage site (Santiago De Compostela).

  • Pilgrims stopped at various churches along the way.

• Other Pilgrimage Churches:

  • Vezelet, Bruges, Portoit.

  • Abundance of pilgrimage churches in the Romanesque era.

The Term "Romanesque"

• Origin:

  • First used in the early 19th century by historians.

  • Described the architecture of Europe in the 11th and 12th centuries.

• Initial Connotation:

  • Initially a derogatory term.

  • Implied a lack of originality, suggesting it was merely copying Roman architecture.

• Meaning:

  • "Roman-like."

• Modern Usage:

  • Now a standard term in art history.

  • No longer used as an insult.

  • Refers to the art of Europe in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Pilgrimages

• Role:

  • The primary means of spreading the Romanesque style throughout Europe.

  • Influenced and was influenced by the historical realities of the time.

• Definition:

  • A journey to a sacred place, often long.

  • An expression of religious devotion.

• Motivations:

  • Demonstrate faith in the power of saints.

  • Seek salvation or special favors.

• Pilgrims:

  • Individuals undertaking the pilgrimage.

• Reasons for Pilgrimages:

  • Act of repentance: Asking for penance for sins.

  • Pleading for divine help: Often for curing illnesses or disabilities; family members might undertake the pilgrimage on behalf of someone too ill.

  • Thanksgiving: Giving thanks to God and the saints for blessings received.

  • Obtaining salvation: Believing the pilgrimage would help save their souls.

• Conditions:

  • Long distances (sometimes a year or more).

  • Rough terrain and roads.

  • Travel through hostile wilderness.

  • Threat of robbers preying on pilgrims.

  • Dishonest innkeepers and merchants.

• Hardship as a Virtue:

  • The difficulty of the journey was seen as a demonstration of commitment to faith.

  • Believed to increase the chances of repentance, healing, or salvation.

  • The challenges faced measured the sincerity of the pilgrim's faith.

Relics

• Definition:

  • Body parts, clothing, or objects associated with holy figures (Jesus, saints, etc.).

  • Objects could include staffs or instruments of persecution.

• Beliefs:

  • Holy relics could perform miracles.

  • Represented the power of the saints.

  • Offered comfort and the possibility of desired outcomes.

• Importance:

  • Churches sometimes stole relics, claiming divine visions or the saint's unhappiness as justification.

Impact of Pilgrimages

• Church Design Changes:

  • Revenue allowed for larger, grander churches.

  • Increased burden on the church.

  • Addition of aisles and longer naves; changes to the apse area.

• Church Revenue:

  • Increased due to pilgrims.

• Congregation:

  • Increased number of visitors.

• Impact on Towns:

  • Economic Boost: Pilgrims brought money and business.

  • Parallels to modern events like the Olympics.

• Travel Guides:

  • Emergence of travel guides providing information about saints, shrines, lodging, roads, food, and water safety.

  • Information about the authenticity and stories of relics.

• Town Growth:

  • Pilgrimage routes became routes of commerce and communication.

  • Increased trade and tourism.

• Foundation:

  • Pilgrimages were foundational to Romanesque Europe, influencing artistic style and historical context.

Transition to a New Millennium

• Historical Context:

  • Decline of the Roman Empire.

  • Steady decline in the quality of life during the Middle Ages.

  • Population decline.

  • Roman cities falling into ruins.

  • People leaving cities for safety in the countryside.

  • Decline in literacy, economy, and communication.

• Fears Approaching the Year 1000:

  • Widespread belief that the world would end.

  • Expectations of the Last Judgment.

• Analogy to the Year 2000:

  • Similar anxieties about potential computer crashes.

  • People stocking up on supplies.

• Aftermath of the Year 1000:

  • Relief that the world did not end.

  • Perception of a second chance.

• Building Boom:

  • Gratitude led to a wave of church construction and renovation.

  • Cloniac monk's account from 1003 describing widespread rebuilding of church basilicas.

  • Increase in independent cities and prosperity.

  • High levels of pilgrimage traffic.

• Major Pilgrimage Sites:

  • Jerusalem: The Holy Sepulchre (associated with Jesus).

  • Rome: St. Peter's (associated with St. Peter).

  • Santiago De Compostela, Spain: Relics of St. James.

• Alternative Destinations:

  • Toulouse and Vezelay: Closer destinations for those unable to travel far.

  • Way stations on the route to major shrines.

Elements of Romanesque Architecture

• Latin Cross Plan:

  • Cruciform or basilica plan.

  • Longer and wider naves and aisles to accommodate more pilgrims.

• Ambulatory:

  • Aisle around the apse.

  • Allowed pilgrims to view relics without disrupting the central area.

• Absidials:

  • Radiating chapels off the ambulatory and transept.

  • Increased space.

• Vaulting:

  • Barrel vault in the nave.

  • Groin vault in the aisles.

  • Later groin vaulting in the nave.

• Clerestory:

  • Small or non-existent.

  • Windows beneath the vaulting.

• Gallery or Tribune:

  • Located over the side aisles.

  • Provided additional space for viewing processions and the Eucharist.

• Compound Articulated Piers:

  • Piers supporting the vaulting.

  • Decorated with engaged columns or pilasters.

• Portal:

  • Entrance to the church.

  • Highly decorated with sculptures.

Interior Example: Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

• Features:

  • Barrel vaulting.

  • Compound articulated piers.

  • Side aisles.

Barrel Vaults

• Simple Arch:

  • Made of stones with a keystone.

  • Force distributed to the sides.

• Barrel Vault:

  • Extension of a simple arch.

  • Semi-cylindrical ceiling over parallel lines.

• Construction:

  • Originally with ashlar masonry (less stable).

  • Romans used concrete, allowing for windows.

• Buttressing:

  • Needed for lateral support against the thrust.

Barrel Vault vs. Groin Vault

• Barrel Vault:

  • Extension of a simple arch with parallel walls and a semi-cylindrical ceiling.

• Groin Vault (Cross Vault):

  • Formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles.

  • Appears lighter and requires less buttressing.

  • Support needed only where the groins meet the vault's pier.

• Fenestrated Sequence of Groin Vaults:

  • Openings or windows in a series of groin vaults covering a hallway or nave.

  • Equivalent to a clerestory, allowing light into the darker interior.