ROMANESQUE ART (I). ARCHITECTURE

7.1 The first European style

Romanesque Art, which developed between the 11th and the middle of the 12th century, was the first medieval style that acquired common features throughout Europe. Its name comes from the shape of its distinctive arch reminiscent of the arch used by the Romans.

The Benedictine Order contributed to its diffusion, because it adopted this style in its motherhouse in Cluny (France), and from there it was disseminated by the other monasteries founded in Europe, the Crusades, and the pilgrimages to the Holy Places. The existence of master stonemasons also contributed to its dissemination, because they supervised crews of bricklayers, carpenters and sculptors as they travelled throughout Europe offering their technical expertise.

7.2 Romanesque architecture

Architectural elements

Romanesque architecture used stone as its primary material, interior supports with cruciform columns and pillars, semicircular arches, and barrel vaulted ceilings, obtained by a succession semicircular arches, or groin vaults, formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults. These stone vaults are very heavy. This is why the interior is reinforced with transverse arches which transfer the weight of the vault to the supports. On the outside, the building is supported by buttresses to prevent the walls from collapsing under the weight. The buildings also have thick walls and few windows, and therefore, the inside is dark.

On the outside, the wall is decorated with vertical strips that protrude from it, with galleries of small blind arches and different types of mouldings.

Types of buildings

The church was the key building. It usually had a Latin cross plan consisting of one, three or five naves separated by series of arches, a transept or transverse nave with a dome or tower in the centre, and a sanctuary formed by several semicircular apses. Pilgrimage churches also had an ambulatory or semicircular nave that surrounded the main altar and allowed pilgrims to cross the church without interrupting worship and a gallery or second floor over the aisle to accommodate more of the faithful.

Important Romanesque churches include those of Saint Foy of Conques, the Basilica Church of St. Mary Magdalene of Vézelay and the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Moissac in France; the Cathedral of Durham in the United Kingdom; the Cathedral of Worms in Germany and the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, Italy.

Other types of Romanesque buildings were monasteries, castles and walls.

Create

In Early medieval times, monasteries were really important as they were in charge of keeping the cultural legacy of older times. To do so, they made manuscript copies of books and documents, some of them of great beauty. By solving different clues, you will find out the title and author of a novel that is set in a medieval monastery.

Romanesque churches

Skills progress

Understanding art

1 Explain the reasoning behind these statements: a) Romanesque is considered the first international European style; b) Romanesque churches have thick walls and are dark; c) Pilgrimage churches had an ambulatory and gallery.

Analysing works of art

2 Describe the plan of the Romanesque church. Focus your attention on its shape and the characteristics of its naves and sanctuary.

3 What types of vaults were used in the Romanesque style? Explain the differences between them. Indicate what type of vault is seen in the photo of Saint Faith of Conques.

Appreciating our heritage

4 Look for images of interiors and exteriors of a Romanesque church. Then, explain the characteristics of the Romanesque architecture that you see.