Architecture: Romanesque vs Byzantine Mikoto Suzuki
J21035096
Table of Contents
What is Romanesque Architecture and Byzantine Architecture?....page 2 Features of Romanesque architecture ……………………………...page 3.4 Features of Byzantine architecture……………………………………page 5.6 Similarities and differences between each architectural style…......page 7 References ……………………………………………………………...page 8
What is Romanesque architecture and Byzantine architecture? Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture, characterized by round arches, massive stone and brick, small windows, and thick walls, was once an incredibly powerful architectural style in medieval Europe. This architectural style dominated most churches and political buildings throughout medieval Europe.
𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘭, 1030-1061, [red sandstone], Speyer, Germany
Byzantine architecture Byzantine architecture is a multitude of buildings built by workers during the Byzantine Empire that influenced a wide swath of Europe. This Architectural style continued to influence Orthodox Christian architecture and can still be found in churches throughout the world. 𝘚𝘵. 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘴𝘬𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘭, 1904-1912, [marble], Sofia, Bulgaria
Features of Romanesque architecture 1. Cathedral floor plans Most Romanesque cathedrals were created according to the cross-shaped plan of the Latin Cross, with an apse (a dome or half-dome at the front of the auditorium), a pedestrian (aisle), tympanum (a semicircular area, above a door or window), and wings Cluny abbey, 910, cluny, saone-et-loire, France (horizontal section of the cathedral forming a cross across the aisle), serve specific purposes in the service of the medieval church. .
2.Imposing size The churches increased in number during this period and were built larger than earlier churches to accommodate the accompanying increase in priests, monks and pilgrims.
𝘗𝘪𝘴𝘢 . 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘭, 1092, [marble], Pisa, Italy
3. Round arches and arcades
𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘭, 1146, Autun, France
𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦, 547, Ravenna, Italy
Romanesque architecture almost always uses arches for doors, windows, and other openings and arcades. Wide doorways are covered with semicircular arches. Arcades are rows of arches, supported by piers or columns. They are found in large church interiors separating the nave from the aisles, and in large interior spaces such as roofs. Arcades are also found in cloisters and atriums, enclosing open spaces.
Features of Byzantine architecture
𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦, 547, Ravenna, Italy
1.Domes Most Byzantine churches and buildings have vaults, pendants, and columns to support the dome, which is considered the symbol of heaven in the center of the structure. These structures interlock in an octagonal shape to keep the dome sturdy and stable.
2. Greek cross plan In keeping with their tradition in Orthodox Christianity, the architects designed the floor plan of the Byzantine church in the form of a Greek cross with four arms of equal length. Many Latin churches followed a relatively similar approach.
3. Iconography Early Christian art adorns much of the architecture of Byzantine churches. Frescoes line the walls, ivory carvings are found on shelves, and Byzantine mosaics adorn the entire interior of these churches. Byzantine artists used thousands of tesserae - small pieces of glass, stone, ceramic, and other materials - to create elaborate mosaics. However, the Byzantine Empire expanded the art form by incorporating more luxurious materials, such as gold leaf and precious stones, into their designs. The purpose of their art was to stimulate a sense of wonder and admiration for the church. Thus, the use of graceful, floating figures and golden tesserae emphasized the otherworldliness of religious subjects.
Mosaics of Justinianus
Apse mosaic
Similarities and differences between each architectural style Similarities Both architectural styles were designed to have a cruciform plan and a Christian ideology. Byzantine architecture influenced Romanesque architecture, and thus Romanesque architecture incorporates features of the Byzantine style.
Differences
Sculpture from apse of Abbey d’arthus
In Romanesque architecture, buildings decorated with sculpture, whereas Byzantine buildings are decorated with mosaics and iconography.
Differences
𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘭, 1030-1061, Speyer, Germany
Romanesque domes are usually located in intersecting towers at the intersection of the nave and wings of the church, concealing the dome from the outside world. Byzantine domes, on the other hand, are visible from the outside and are not concealed by the wooden roof.
References MasterClass staff. (2022, Feb 25). Romanesque Architecture Guide: 6 Examples and Key Characteristics. MasterClass. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/romanesque-architecture-explained#history-ofromanesque-architecture MasterClass staff. (2022, Feb 25). Byzantine Architecture: 3 Characteristics of Byzantine Style. MasterClass. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/byzantine-architecture-guide#3-key-characteristics-ofbyzantine-architecture MargheritaCole. (2020, Sep 7). Byzantine Art: Learn About the Dazzling Characteristics of This Lesser-Known Period. My Modern Met. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://mymodernmet.com/byzantine-art/ The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (n,d,). Romanesque art. Britannica. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/art/Romanesque-art Mark Cartwright. (2018, June 26). Byzantine Architecture. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 7, 2022, from https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Architecture/