Romanesque Art
Time Period: 1050-1150
- Derivative of ancient Roman art
- Very dif. from its namesake
- Europe began to settle down from the great migration that characterised the previous period
- Islamic incursions from Spain and North Africa neutralized
- Europeans began a counterinvasion of Muslim lands called the Crusades
- Stability; trade and art flourished; cities finally expanded
- Religious pilgrimages; shrines established key points along the road
- Medieval society focused on feudalism; artists middle class
- Women confined to ceramics, weaving, etc.; wealthy women were active patrons, commissioning manuscripts
- Christian works dominated; secular was just as important; take themes from the other
- Medieval architecture focused on the construction of castles, manors, monasteries, and churches
- Artists and builders worked side by side
Architecture
- Cathedrals took hundreds of years to build, expensive
- Entirely in stone; reason for name "Romanesque"
- Dark; stained glass brought light
Sculpture and Painting
- Stone sculpture unknown in previous periods; revived
- Sculpture placed around portals of medieval churches
- Ivories, wooden objects, flourished
- Illuminated manuscripts; emotions exaggerated; large heads and hands; figure fill a blank surface; seem to float; people are the focus
- Capitals in architecture carved with scenes of the Bible; signatures proclaim their glory; figures have flattened look, hides body rather than defines it
Summary:
- The monumentality, rounded arches, and heavy walls of Roman architecture are reflected in the Romanesque tradition; but the radiating chapels and their dark interiors give churches a religious feeling, different
- Builders responded to mobility of Europeans due to pilgrimage; larger buildings, sophisticated vaulting techniques; thick walls; massive
- Works confined within frame