ROMANESQUE ART: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS, ARCHITECTURE, PAINTING - ART - 2025

The Romanesque art was the first major movement of medieval art; It was a style that prevailed in Western Europe during the 11th, 12th and part of the 13th centuries, from the fall of Rome until the arrival of Gothic art around the year 1150.

It refers to the specific style of architecture, sculpture and other minor arts that appeared in France, Germany, Italy and Spain during the 11th century, each with its own artistic characteristics while maintaining a unitary European character. The name "Romanesque" refers to the fusion of Roman, Carolingian, Ottonian, Germanic and Byzantine cultural traditions.

Source: Pixabay

The success of the crusaders spurred the construction of new Christian churches throughout Europe in such a style, spreading across the entire continent, from Sicily to Scandinavia. The relations between the nobles and the religious who took power in Europe, promoted the construction of the churches.

The abundant constructions produced a demand for decorative religious art, which includes sculptures, stained glass windows and ecclesiastical metal pieces, characterizing Romanesque art as a purely religious movement.

History

origins

Romanesque art was the result of the great expansion of monasticism in the 10th and 11th centuries, when Europe largely regained its political stability after the fall of the Roman Empire.

After the fall of Rome, Europe was immersed in a period of instability. The Germanic invaders caused the empire to separate, giving rise to small and weak states.

Then at the beginning of the 8th century the new Viking, Muslim, Slavic and Hungarian invasions, established powerful states and adopting Christianity. Eventually the monarchies managed to stabilize and strengthen such states.

These European states managed to expand, causing population growth, great technological and commercial advances. In addition, the buildings were renovated in order to establish a greater Christianity.

After the extinction of the Carolingian dynasty, it was the Ottonian emperors who were in charge of the artistic development of the Romanesque period accompanied by Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian and Germanic influences.

Monastic orders

Several of the monastic orders emerged at this time and expanded rapidly, establishing churches throughout Western Europe. Among these monarchies are: the Cistercians, the Cluniac and Carthusians.

The intention of these groups had to do with the mentality of making churches much larger than the previous ones to be able to house a greater number of priests and monks, allowing access to pilgrims who wanted to see the relics of the churches.

The first constructions were made in Burgundy, Normandy and Lombardy, but they quickly spread throughout Western Europe. Ecclesiastical groups established rules for buildings with specific designs in order to fulfill Christian functions.

characteristics

Christian themes

The art of this period was characterized by a vigorous style in sculpture and painting. The painting followed Byzantine models, using common church themes. For example: the life of Christ and the Last Judgment.

Manuscripts like the bible and psalteries were deeply decorated during this period. On the other hand, the capitals of the columns were sculpted with scenes and figures related to Christianity.

Basilicas

During the Roman Empire, basilicas were used as a center for public meetings; however, with the advent of Christianity it became known as a place of worship and prayer, so the importance of this type of construction became more important.

In short, Romanesque art was based mainly on majestic ecclesiastical constructions, with thick and massive walls, characterized by their long height, width, with towers and bell towers.

Barrel vault

The use of barrel vaults was necessary due to the masonry constructions that were also characteristic of this era.

This type of vault gives a tunnel appearance with the use of one or more semicircular arches. This helped to support pillars and also created much more space.

Influence of other cultures

Romanesque art was born from the influence of Roman and Byzantine cultures, which was demonstrated in the thick-walled constructions, round arches, and sturdy piers. Painting had a special influence on Byzantine art.

Architecture

Plant

The plan of the Romanesque churches adopted the Latin cross. The arrangement consisted of a central nave and on both sides, in equal measure, the two wing naves were formed. The choir ended in a semicircle that forms the apse; part of the head where the altar is located.

The aisles extended around the choir from behind, giving rise to the ambulatory; a corridor that provides fluency. On the transept is the octagonal-based dome.

By José-Manuel Benito, from Wikimedia Commons

An important characteristic of Romanesque architecture was the incorporation of towers to the body of the church in order to serve as a buttress to the effort of the vaults and as a decorative element.

Structure

Regarding the structure of the churches, the barrel or semicircular vault was used. The churches were not only supported by columns, but also by pillars; these pillars were continuous, becoming the so-called "fajon arch".

Columns

Most of the columns were cylindrical shafts, generally thicker than classical columns.

The capitals were varied because they did not have canons to complement the style; otherwise, each country developed its trend. The most generalized capital was the cubic one, where the shaft was cylindrical and the abacus square.

Facade

Most of the Romanesque facades are made up of a pediment determined by the central nave. The towers or bell towers serve as an ornamental element and were used to call the faithful to worship through the ringing of bells.

The rose window was born with Romanesque art. This was a large diameter circular window on the facade of many churches.

Cloisters

The cloisters are usually the most characteristic element of Romanesque architecture. It consists of a central open space as a patio, surrounded by a covered corridor. In Spain today a large number of Romanesque cloisters are preserved.

By José María Izquierdo Calle, from Wikimedia Commons

the Cathedral of Santiago of Compostela

The construction of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela began in the year 1075 in the reign of Alfonso VI. This cathedral is the last stop on the pilgrims' journey and its monumental character makes it stand out from many other cathedrals.

It was built with three naves and a Latin cross floor plan. Although it was a key work of the Romanesque style, other architectural styles with Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical influence have been made.

Source: Pixabay

On the other hand, the cathedral has 200 figures of the Apocalypse and the figure of the Apostle Santiago - who seems to welcome the pilgrims - leaning on a column.

Master Mateo

Master Mateo or Mateo de Compostela was a Spanish architect and sculptor who worked in the medieval Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula during the middle of the 12th century.

Currently, he is known for having built the Pórtico de la Gloria of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. In addition, he was responsible for the stone choir of the cathedral.

The oldest information about the master Mateo comes from a document from the cathedral from 1168, which states that he was already working on the cathedral. For this reason, he received a large sum of money from King Fernando II of León.

Painting

Murals

The large surfaces of smooth or curved walls and vaults were used for Romanesque decoration, lending themselves to murals in this style. Many of these paintings are currently destroyed due to humidity or because they have been replaced with other paintings.

In many countries like England, France and the Netherlands they were destroyed by changes in fashion and by the time of the Reformation. Still, other countries have campaigned for its restoration.

The mosaics had as their focal point the semi-dome of the apse; for example, works such as Christ in Majesty or Christ the Redeemer.

Most of the typical Romanesque paintings were focused on the Catholic church, biblical passages, portraits of saints, Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Manuscript lighting

Within the Romanesque painting, the illustrated manuscript stands out, which includes decorative elements such as initials, borders and miniature illustrations made with gold or silver. This type of manuscript was typical of Western European traditions.

The illuminated writings of Romanesque art were inherited from Byzantine traditions and from the dynasty of Charlemagne; Carolingian painters produced a series of illuminated writings.

Apse of San Clemente de Tahull

The painting of the Apse of San Clemente de Tahull constitutes a fresco located in the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, Barcelona. This is one of the most representative works of European Romanesque art made by Master Tahull.

It was painted in the early 12th century, originally for the church of San Clemente de Tahull, in Valle de Bohí, Spain. It was removed between 1919 to 1923 along with other parts of the fresco.

By Kippelboy, from Wikimedia Commons

The painting is based on a Christ in Majesty in the middle of a seated mandorla. With his right hand he blesses, while holding a book in his left hand, with the inscription "I am the light of the world." Next to it are the Alpha and Omega, symbolizing that God is the beginning and the end of time.

On the other hand, he is surrounded by the Virgin Mary, the four evangelists, and various scenes from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Tahull Master

Master Tahull is considered one of the best 12th century mural painters in Catalonia, as well as one of the most important Romanesque painters in Europe. His main work is the fresco of the Ánside of the church of San Clemente de Tahull; hence the name was adopted.

The Master of Tahull has been recognized for having painted the faces of the figures with a marked stylized realism. In its striking color range, the predominant colors were carmine, blue and white.

According to various references, it has come to be thought that several of his work tools were brought from Italy.

Sculpture

Metallurgy and enamel

Some objects created in this period were of very high status, even higher than the painting itself; metalwork, including enamel, became very sophisticated at this time.

Many of the relics have survived over time; for example, the relics of the sanctuary of the Three Wise Men in the Cathedral of Cologne, Germany.

An example of this type of sculpture is the Gloucester Candelabra, made of bronze, at the beginning of the 12th century, being one of the most outstanding pieces of English metalwork of Romanesque art.

Another example is the Stavelot Triptych; a portable medieval reliquary made with gold and enamel in order to protect, honor and display the internal pieces. It has been considered one of the masterpieces of Romanesque sculpture. Today it is exhibited in New York City, United States.

Architectural sculpture

The large sculptures from this period were represented by the tympanum; located on the facades of Romanesque churches between the lintel and the archivolts and the sculptures of the columns.

This type of sculpture is characterized by its flat, rigid figures and tends towards the geometric due to its symmetrical compositions; even so, a rich and powerful expressiveness is achieved.

The predominant themes in these sculptures are the biblical passages of the Old and New Testaments, the Apocalypse, the lives of the saints, plant themes and symbolic figures.

The structure of the facades of the churches is classified into: the cover, which is ornate to attract people; the archivolts, which are concentric arches decorated with radial, geometric and vegetal figures; the jambs, forming part of the sculpture and finally, the lintel and the tympanum, decorated in unique scenes.

Tympanum of the Abbey of Moisaac

The tympanum of the Abbey of Moisaac was made in the 12th century, in France. It represents the Apocalypse according to Saint John; that is, the coming of Christ to Earth to judge the living and the dead with scenes from the old and new testament bible.

By Josep Renalias, from Wikimedia Commons

In the middle, is Christ, who rests his feet on a sea of ​​glass; this figure is usually used to decorate the Romanesque eardrums. In addition, it is surrounded by the four evangelists.

Nicolas of Verdun

Nicolás de Verdún was a French goldsmith and enameller known as one of the best sculptors of the Middle Ages and one of the most important figures in Romanesque art.

Nicolás de Verdún was characterized by the manufacture of metal with the enameled champlevé technique. His most notable work is the Sanctuary of the Three Wise Men in the Cologne Cathedral. Furthermore, the artist reveals an understanding for the classical accompanied by a classical Byzantine style.

References

1. The origin of Romanesque art, Portal Google Art and Culture, (2014). Taken from artsandculture.google.com
2. Romanesque Art: History, Characteristics and Important Facts, Art Hearty, (2018). Taken from arthearty.com
3. Church of Santiago de Compostela, Portal Info Spain, (nd). Taken from spain.info
4. Master Mateo, Portal Encyclopedia of Sculpture, (nd). Taken from visual-arts-cork.com
5. Romanesque Architecture, New World Encyclopedia, (nd). Taken from newworldencyclopedia.org
6. Romanesque Art, Portal Encyclopedia of Sculpture, (nd). Taken from visual-arts-cork.com
7. Romanesque Art, Wikipedia in English, (nd). Taken from wikipedia.org