Romanesque art and architecture ofthe photo, ry The Romanesque style From the 11th century, a new artistic style originating in Italy and France became very influential in many parts of Europe. This style was called Romanesque because it was influenced by the cultural heritage of the Roman Empire. + Romanesque architecture consisted of churches, cathedrals and monasteries. * Painting and sculpture were exclusively dedicated to the Church, and made use of religious symbolism Romanesque architecture Romanesque cathedrals and churches were stone buildings with heavy stone roofs. To make them strong enough, architects revived Roman techniques such as the dome. and the barrel vault, which consisted of semi-circular arches supporting a roof. These features spread the weight so widely that the roof did not fall down. On the outside, the buildings were reinforced by buttresses, which were extemal supports - Romanesque buildings had round arches, thick walls and only a few windows. In consequence, they had a very solid, compact appearance. ‘They received very little natural light. Religious buildings were designed in the shape of a Latin crass, which was a long arm crossed by a shorter arm. This symbolised the cross of Jesus. The long arm was made up of one or more long spaces called naves, which were separated by round arches. The naves. ended in an apse, where the altar was situated. The short arm was called the transept. In churches built along pilgrimage routes, a passageway called an aj was added around the apse so that pilgrims could pass behind the high altar. In south-west France, the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse and the Abbey-Church of Saint-Foy in Conques were important examples of this type of church.Romanesque sculpture Arthad both a religious and an educational purpose in the Middle Ages. Religious scenes made people familiar with biblical narratives even if they could not read or write Romanesque sculptures were adapted to fit the space available in an existing building. They depicted human figures ina rigid and unrealistic way, and were painted in bright colours that have often disappeared over the centuries. + Most Romanesque sculptures were reliefs, and were sculpted into buildings: ~ Capitals. The tops of columns were decorated with religious scenes, as well as depictions of animals or plants. = Tympanum. This was the space above the main church entrance, where subjects like Christ in Glory or the Last Judgement were shown. * Wooden free-standing sculptures were not attached toa building. They often represented Christ on the Cross or the Virgin and Child. Romanesque painting ‘The most important Romanesque paintings were inside churches, and were about religious subjects. They depicted people in rigid postures, and some of these figures (like Christ in Majesty, sitting on a throne) were made especially lange to demonstrate their importance. Paintings, were completed in bright colours with black outlines, and did not have background landscapes. + Murals were painted on walls, especially near the altar. + Altarpieces were painted on wooden panels and used to decorate altars. + Miniatures were small illustrations in Bibles, prayer books and other religious texts. 100% or photo ofa Romanesque church ocatecal on the ier. Label it and we a short description. Explain wha ts walls, buttresses, arches and windows are like. ow do you nk Romanesque art elzed people to understand reigouslaeas? ©. iicntypes of feves were painted anger than ohesin J) Romanesque a? Look for examples onthe neret ard check Your anevers scsi eece ‘A capitalin Autun Cathedral, France It represents the bibical scene when Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus fled to Egypt. ‘Moissac Abbey, France. The tympanum represents Christin Majesty ‘The wooden atarpiece ofthe hermitage of San Quirce de Burt.