Romanesque - 800 - 1200
Western Europe was in a period of relative stability even though several religions such as Islam, Russian Orthodox, and Catholicism struggled to make their presence known. Religious orders grew in size and large Churches and Monasteries were built in order to house the growing populations who came to worship in them.
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Master from Halberstadt, Paulus and the receipiant of his letters, 1185, Germany, Romanesque Style |
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Master of Evangeliums des Grimbald, Sog. Evangelium des Grimbald, Szene: Hl. Johannes, Beginning 11. century, Pergament, 24,5 × 21 cm, London, British Museum, Great Britian. |
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Building expansion continues...
Built as huge over scaled buildings, these Churches were the results of competing religious interests and expanding economies. The building expansion continued for over 200 years with dramatic ornate architecture both inside and out. Pisa cathedral is one of the most well known examples of Romanesque architecture found in Italy. |
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Pisa Cathedral, Pisa, Italy - Romanesque |
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There were many architectural features that were based on Roman architecture, such as columns, vaulted ceilings made of stone or timber and rounded arches
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Powerful reminders...
Romanesque art shows itself in the intricate stone architecture and rich interiors full of beautiful tapestries and priceless objects which were made from gold and silver. The liturgy became a powerful moving force as Churches and Monasteries were not only the places of worship, but were considered places of great knowledge. As a result, Church murals, frescos and illuminated manuscripts reflected the political and religious climate of the times.
The Christian monks recorded and copied the works of not only the Bible, but of popular philosophers. They studied the work of mathematics and also of science and medicine. Romanesque art depicted the cornerstones of the Christian faith; in architecture it was used as a way to worn and remind those who visited the Churches of why they were there, and through the art and writings of the Illuminated manuscripts they recorded history and religious doctrine.
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Niedersachsischer Meister, Bemalte Flachdecke der Hildesheimer Benediktiner-Klosterkirche St. Michel mit, Wurzel Jesse, Adam and Eve, 1200, Tempera on wood, Hildesheim, St. Michael, Germany |
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Meister des Perikopenbuches von St. Erentrud, Perikopenbuch von St. Erentrud in Salzburg, Christi in Jerusalem,1140, 20,9 × 13,6 cm, Munchen, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Austria, |
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Baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence, Italy
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| The Baptistrey is one of the 'pearls' of Florence, Italy. There seems to be debate about the origins of the style of this building, where many suggest it is Romanesque in style, it is now believed to be more Roman. Some believed it to have been built around the eleventh century, however that is now in question as the construction used to build that type of configuration was used by the Romans in the fifth century. |
Paint media used: Tempera,
Art work – Tapestries, Illuminated Manuscripts, Fescos |
| to be continued... |
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