Romanesque

• 1050-1200 Mid 11c. Barbaric wars come to an end• Last of the invaders had become Christianized• Increase of trade and wealth – towns populated by

merchants, moneylenders, artisans and peasants1. Continuation of Feudalism-most powerful and wealthy feudal

lords in France and England2. Church – towns built around the church, towns were

ecclesiastical centers founded by bishops or archbishops who build towers, gates and walls around towns

• Church was the social, political and religious center which governed peoples lives.

3. Pilgrimages- travel to sacred shrines where relics of saints believed to have the power to heal body and soul were kept.

• Drew people from all over Europe who for the sake of salvation dealt with bad roads, hostile wilderness, long distances and robbers.

• Hardship help to increase ones chances for remission of sin or disease.• Pilgrimage ways became routes of commerce and communication.

4. Crusades – “taking of the cross” – 200 years -4 wars• Mass, armed pilgrimages with purpose of rescuing Christian shrines

which had been taken by the Muslim Turks.• Supported by the papacy• Religion and secular forces together• Were caused by Muslim pressure in the Mediterranean, Byzantium and

Middle East

Romanesque Characteristics

• Blend of Roman, Celtic, Carolingian and Ottonian• Round arches• Solid, fortress-like• Ambulatory around transept and apse• Radiating chapels• Two tower façade• Double aisle with gallery (tribune) over inner aisle• Narrower nave• Elongated horizontally• Portal decoration• timber roofs replaced by masonry barrel vault – transverse arches• Weight of nave vault is supported by vaults over aisles transferred to outer

wall.• Thicker walls, wider pillars and less windows to support weight• Space divided into series of bays

St. SerninRomanesque

Sant’ AmbrogioRomanesque

St. EtienneRomanesque

Durham CathedralRomanesque

Pisa Cathedral, baptistery, campanileRomanesque

Christ Enthroned tympanum, MoissacRomanesque

Last Judgment tympanum, AutunRomanesque

Ascension of Christ tympanum, VezelayRomanesque

Moses Expounding the LawMaster HugoRomanesque

Romanesque Manuscript

• Influenced by Byzantine mosaics - figures forward and in line - lack of depth - no shadows, floating - linear cloth - solid background - pantomime• Decorative borders• Limited color scheme• Bright, bold colors

Eadwine the ScribeScribe EadwineRomanesque