Objectives Understand the major regions of Europe in the Romanesque period and be sensitive to the stylistic differences among the regions, especially in the sphere of architecture. Become familiar with the major pilgrimage routes and destinations of the period. Familiarize yourself with key structural units of the vault, the rib, the buttress, and the organization of bays. Learn the parts of the portal of the typical Romanesque church and appreciate the role of sculpture in articulating the parts of the entrance. Recognize the enormous importance of relics and the legends of saints in the designation of holy places throughout Europe. Watch the re-emergence of monumental sculpture in Europe (absent since the collapse of Rome). Learn the variety of artistic traditions drawn upon by Romanesque artists, including contemporary ones such as Islamic and Byzantine, and the continuing presence of ancient Roman art.

11 important aspects of Romanesque architecture 1.“Romanesque” is the first international style since the Roman Empire. Also known as the “Norman” style in England 2.Competition among cities for the largest churches, which continues in the Gothic period via a “quest for height.” 3.Masonry (stone) the preferred medium. Craft of concrete essentially lost in this period. Rejection of wooden structures or structural elements. 4. East end of church the focus for liturgical services. West end for the entrance to church. Good Stuff You Should Know

5.Church portals as “billboards” for scripture or elements of faith. 6.Cruciform plans. Nave and transept at right angles to one another. Church as a metaphor for heaven. 7. Elevation of churches based on basilican forms, but with the nave higher than the side aisles. ROMANESQUE ART

8. Interiors articulated by repetitive series of moldings. Heavy masonry forms seem lighter with applied decoration. 9. Bays divide the nave into compartments 10.Round-headed arches the norm. 11.Small windows in comparison to buildings to withstand weight ROMANESQUE ART

Historical Context Romanesque = in the Roman manner Feudalism dominated economic life Worcester Chronicle –King/Nobles –Churchmen –Peasant Farmers Pilgrimages –Holy places of Christianity Crusades –A series of military expeditions against Islamic powers

Romanesque: Social overview Feudal system reaches peak Land is main source of wealth and power Church increases influence on daily lives Church is center of town Churches- –testimony to power of Church –faith of people –skill of builders

Compare Byzantine & Romanesque ByzantineRomanesque ART Mosaics, IconsFrescoes, stylized sculpture ARCHITECTURE Central-dome church Barrel-vault church EXAMPLE Hagia SophiaSt. Sernin DATE CEBegun 1080 CE PLACE Constantinople, Turkey Toulouse, France

Romanesque Overview EMPHASIS ELEVATION MAIN TRAIT SUPPORT SYSTEM ENGINEERING AMBIANCE EXTERIOR Horizontal Modest Height Rounded Arch Piers, walls Barrel vaults (and some Groin) Dark, solemn Simple

Cathedral of Saint James (Santiago Campostela) Held the body of Saint James Designed to accommodate crowds of pilgrims Served as administrative center Used 3 different kinds of vaults –Ribbed –Barrel –Groin

St. James Cathedral Santiago de Compostela Spain

Cathedral Complex at Pisa Competed with Muslims over control of the western Mediterranean Built a cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary Complex contains the cathedral, freestanding bell tower (campanile), and a baptistery.

Cathedral Complex 11 th Century Pisa, Italy

Speyer Cathedral Soaring towers Wide transepts Triple aisled Red Sandstone Largest Romanesque Church

Speyer Cathedral Germany

Durham Cathedral Served as a military outpost Stone and brick…NOT wood –Reminded the Brits of ancient Rome Count-Bishop = Durham authority Architects divided each bay with two pairs of diagonal crisscrossing ribs

Durham Cathedral England

Church of Saint-Etienne Founded by William the Conqueror in 1067 Front divided in 3 vertical sections by 4 buttresses 6-Part vault Originally had a timber roof Towers were added during the Gothic period

St. Etienne Normany, France

VAULTING OF THE NAVE Sexpartite Vaults

Vaulted Ceilings Ribs Tribune / Gallery Clustered Piers Ambulatory

Dover Castle 12 th Century England

St. Sernin Constructed to honor Saint Sernin Popularity increased when Charlemagne donated relics to the church An important stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela “Pilgrim Plan”

St. Sernin Toulouse, France

Decoration of Buildings Revival of Monumental Stone Sculpture Reflects increasing importance of the Virgin Mary Prophets, Bishops, ordinary people, monsters, animals, plants, geometric shapes. Heaven and Hell

Creation and Fall Wiligelmus inspired by ancient sarcophagi Modena Cathedral Subjects from Genesis –Creation and Fall Three Dimensionality Arcades give stage-like setting Was once painted

The Creation and Fall West Façade of Modena Cathedral Italy 1099

Jeremiah South Portal Trumeau Saint-Pierre 1115

Christ in Majesty, Tympanum of the South Portal at Saint-Pierre

Last Judgment Cathedral of St. Lazare Christ returned to judge the souls at his feet Expressive Forms “May this terror frighten those who are bound by worldly error. It will be true just as the horror of these images indicates.”

Last Judgment, Tympanum by Gislebertus CE St.-Lazare Autun, France.

Last Judgment Gislebertus CE

Dancing Jesus

Detail of Last Judgment Weighing of the Souls CE

Detail of Last Judgment, The Damned

Capital Autun Cathedral Capitals continue dramatic story of sin, damnation, and salvation Fallen Soul

Suicide of Judas Capital of Saint- Lazare Autun, France 1125

Eve by Gislebertus. Autun Cathedral.

Christ in Majesty Church of San Climent Catalunya, Spain Ruler and Judge of the World Alpha and Omega symbols Byzantine Flare Surrounded by 4 Evangelists

Crucifix Christ wearing royal robes Face = Deep sadness Robe designs meant to resemble Arabic script –Islamic Spain

Bayeux Tapestry Depicts the Norman conquest of England 70 meters long One of the first recordings of a historical event shortly after it happened

The Bayeux Tapestry. ROMANESQUE ART

Bayeux Tapestry NORMAN or ROMANESQUE ROMANESQUE ART

ISTI MIRANT STELLA = “These ones look at the star.” ROMANESQUE ART