Romanesque

11 th and 12 th c. art and architecture throughout Europe. The term Romanesque refers to medieval art that is “Roman-like” in style. Similar features are: Round arches, barrel and groin vaults, thick walls, and exterior relief sculpture. Romanesque art had influences from ancient Rome, early Christian and Byzantine times.

Giving Thanks People believed in the year 1000, the world would end. When it didn’t…. –they became more religiously devout –many joined crusades –others made pilgrimages to holy sites.

Surge in building Christian architecture Churches and their decorations were the primary means of employment for artists and builders.

Virtually all Romanesque art was sacred. It’s expressive and emotional in style and mainly religious in theme. It was designed to evoke powerful responses in the viewer. A typical theme was sin and damnation.

The Crusades a series of long and difficult military campaigns from 12 th -15 th centuries –recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. Spiritual benefits included: –remission of time that one’s soul would spend in purgatory –promise of becoming a martyr if one were killed.

Pilgrimages Christians went on pilgrimages to atone for their sins Often visited churches with sacred relics Relics are believed to have miraculous powers, including that of healing. In order to benefit from the relic, one had to travel to it- that is make a pilgrimage.

Reliquaries The pilgrim had to see the relic and ideally, touch it for the healing powers. If the relic could not be touched because of its fragility, the reliquary could act as a substitute. Very elaborate reliquaries were containers for the relic.

Top 3 Pilgrimage Journeys 1.Jerusalem –Events of Jesus’ life –Church of Holy Sepulchre 2.Rome –Center of Christendom of the West –Home to the Pope –Site of tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul 3.Compostela, Spain –Site of Shrine of St. James 1 st apostle martyred-beheaded by King Herod

Pilgrimage Routes to Compostela

Pilgrimages to Compostela Most popular-least dangerous Created a need for more churches and lodgings along the way

Sante-Foy, Conques, France, CE

Earliest known Romanesque Church Abbey Church-Catholic monastery Holds Reliquary Statue of Sante-Foy Sante-Foy was a 3 rd century virgin martyr known in English as Saint Faith.

She was martyred in 303CE while still a child because she refused to worship pagan gods. In the 9 th century, her relics were stolen by a monk and transported to Conques Still stands today in a remote village on the pilgrimage route.

Reliquary Statue of Sante Foy

Gold and gemstones over a wooden core Saint Foy’s relics held inside

St. Sernin, Toulouse, France

External Characteristics of Romanesque Churches Churches were made of stone b/c the art of concrete had been lost Stone walls are thick and heavy Round arches for the windows and portals Because of the thick heavy walls, the windows had to be small

Changing Internal Characteristics widened transept increased nave length doubled the side aisles added radiating chapels made the apse bigger to accommodate more clergy added upper galleries to accommodate overflow

Intersection of the nave and transept is called the crossing square On the outside over the crossing square, they added a tower to further emphasize the focal area of worship.

Barrel vaulting supports the nave Nave is lined on either side by an arcade- This “nave arcade” separates the nave from the side aisles Tribune is the second level/the space above the arcade and accommodated the overflow of pilgrims.

Christ in Majesty, relief in the ambulatory of St. Sernin

Relief in the ambulatory of St. Sernin Tightness against mandorla Right hand is blessing- helps us to identify him as Christ You can see the 4 evangelist symbols on the corners. –John- Eagle –Matthew- Angel –Mark- Lion –Luke- Ox

Bayeaux Tapestry

Not really a tapestry –Embroidered wool on linen 1’8” high and about 230 feet in length. Depicts events leading up to the Norman invasion (or conquest of England) also known as the Battle of Hastings CE

Style is similar to Romanesque illuminated manuscripts: – Figures are rendered in a flat manner and lack classical proportions. It is a continuous narration. It not only records the battle of Hastings, but the events preceding the invasion.