Romanesque Art

Keywords Crusades: cruzadas, campañas militares para recuperar tierra santa. Barrel vault: bóveda de cañón, en la techumbre traslación longitudinal de un arco de medio punto. Dome: cúpula, bóveda de media esfera para cubrir el edificio. Round arches: arcos de medio punto, fundamental en Románico. Blind arches: arcos ciegos, decorativos en Románico. Thick walls: muros anchos sin vanos, función de soporte. Buttresses: contrafuertes, soportes exteriores para soportar el edificio. Latin cross plant: planta de cruz latina, característica del Románico. Naves: naves, espacio comprendido entre muros o columnas. Transept: transepto, crucero, también se refiere a la nave horizontal o del crucero. Ambulatory: deambulatorio, nave que recorre todo el templo hasta rodear el altar en catedrales Reliefs: relieves, escultura adosada al muro. Free-standing sculptures: escultura de bulto redondo, no están adosadas al muro como los relieves. Capitals: capiteles, parte superior de la columna. Tympanum: tímpano, imagen principal en la fachada del templo. Murals: frescos, pintura mural, se prepara la pared con cal y se pinta mientras esté húmeda. Black outlines: líneas negras que dibujan la silueta de los personajes en Románico. Background landscapes: paisajes, refiere al fondo de las pinturas. Altarpieces: retablos, paneles de madera utilizados para decorar el altar. Miniatures: miniaturas, pequeñas ilustraciones para libros o textos religiosos conservados por estar hechos en vitela.

Historical context The Romanesque style began from the late 10 th century in northern Italy and it was widespread all across Europe very fast. It became the first international style since the Ancient Age although we have important regional differences. Being a style influenced by the Church, most of the buildings were small churches or monasteries in the pilgrimages routes although there were also important cathedrals such as Santiago or Jaca.

Early Middle Ages; Romanesque is a rural style. Feudal Europe and estamental society (nobility, clergy and peasants). The spread of Christianity (Crusades, military orders, pilgrimages). Key role of the Church over culture and art, it must be emphasized in Romanesque. The Church is the only client for art and most of the topics will be religious; symbolism and educational purposes were also very important.

Romanesque architecture This style was called Romanesque because it was influenced by the cultural heritage of the Roman Empire. Key characteristics: Romanesque churches were stone buildings with heavy stone roofs. The most important techniques were: thick walls, dome, barrel vault, buttresses, pilars and columns, round arches, Latin cross plan. Simple decoration with blind arches and lombard bands. Sculpture reliefs in the entrances (tympanum) and painting murals in the interior.

San Clemente de Tahull (Lérida), early 12th century

San Martín de Fromistá (Palencia), mid 11th century Exterior Interior

Cathedral of Jaca, late 11th century

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, late 11th century, at the end of the pilgrimage route (Camino de Santiago) A big cathedral for pilgrimage with three naves, deambulatory and small apses for pilgrims

European Romanesque, Italy Basilica of Saint Abbondio of Como (Lombardy), late 10th century Pisa Cathedral, mid 11th century (Italian: Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale di Santa Maria Assunta; Duomo di Pisa)

European Romanesque, France Notre Dame de Poitiers, late 11th century Saint Pierre Angouleme Cathedral, early 12th century

European Romanesque, Germany Abbey of Saint Maria Laach, Germany Abbey of Saint Michael Hildesheim, Germany

Romanesque sculpture Religious and educational purpose. Religious scenes made people familiar with biblical narratives even if they were illiterate. Important symbolism. The most important charasteristics: sculpture were adapted to fit the space available in an existing building and the figures were rigid and unrealistic. Most of the sculptures are reliefs (in capitals or tympanum), and a few are free-standing (Christ on the Cross or the Virgin and Child).

Duda de Santo Tomás, Monasterio de Silos

Santo Domingo de Soria 12th century

Abbey Saint-Pierre de Moissac, France, 12th century

Free-standing sculptures Virgen de Ger, 12th century Majestad Batlló, 12th century

Romanesque painting Religious and educational purpose. Religious scenes made people familiar with biblical narratives even if they were illiterate. Important symbolism. The most important charasteristics: painting were adapted to fit the space available in an existing building and the figures were rigid and unrealistic. Paintings are painted in bright colours with black outlines. Most of the paintings are murals (on walls close to the altar), and a few are altarpieces (painted on wooden panels and used to decorate altars). Also miniatures in books are highly appreciated.

Apse San Clemente de Tahull

Bible scenes, San Isidoro de León, mural painting The Virgin with the Child, Santa María de Tahull, mural painting

Miniature. Bible of Winchester, 12th century, Cathedral of Winchester

Made by Francisco Javier Abades Ansián History teacher at Castilla y León (Spain) Feel free to use, study or share this presentation