Friday, November 7, 2008

Romanesque Essay

Explain the historical and theological implications of the changes from Early Christian to Romanesque to Gothic architecture. Cite by finding no less than three examples of each (at least one being an interior and one being an exterior for each church building.)

The original Basilica of St. Peter is an excellent example of Early Christian art. (fig.1) The church was begun around 319 and finished by 329. The plan of the basilica is not unique to Christian churches. It was used by pagan cults and in Jewish temples previously. The law courts of Rome also used this plan. The Christians made the focus of the structure the altar. St. Peter's body was buried directly underneath the altar of this basilica. Some key architectural features in this structure are the flat ceiling, the long nave, and the rounded apse. In the fifth century the capital of Christianity in Western Rome was Ravenna, Italy. The churches in Ravenna illustrate the move towards Romanesque. Churches such as San Vitale and San Apollinare are great examples. The building San Vitale was begun in 526 on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis. During this time the Barbarians were beginning to invade the empire, so the church is fortress-like in design. (fig.2)It is one of the best examples of Byzantine churches. It also features flat ceilings, rounded apses, and Roman arches, but perhaps the most memorable feature is its mosaics. One of the mosaics is made of the Emperor Justinian. He is shown as wearing purple (the color of royalty). He has clergymen on one side of him and military officers on the other side. (fig.3) That was used to represent that the ruler had both God and his army on his side. San Apollinare is a 6th century church in eastern Ravenna named for its first bishop.(fig.4) It is known for its two rows of mosaics that show martyrs and virgins bearing gifts for Mary and Christ.(fig.5) It was built in the basilica style and has a flat ceiling, mosaics, a long nave, rounded apses, and Roman arches.

The Romanesque style is very dark and depressing. This was brought about through the barbarian invasions, the Black Plague, and the fall of the Roman Empire which meant the loss of a stablized government. People believed that Judgement Day was upon them, thus religion became a huge factor in their everyday lives and their art reflected their belief in the coming of the end of days. St. Michael's in Hildesheim, Germany is a transitional church between the Early Christian and Romanesque structures. (fig. 6) It has the Early Christian flat ceiling and Roman arches, but it also has a fortress like feel to the exterior. (fig. 7) The most noted feature on it is the doors. (fig. 8) They were created by Bishop Bernward. He is buried underneath of the church. The doors are made from bronze and they depict different scenes from the Bible. Another Romanesque church is Autun Cathedral in France. (fig. 9) It was built in the mid 12th century to hold the remains of Lazarus. It is a large church that has many Romanesque features such as the bell tower, the fortressed walls, the basilica building plan, rounded apses, and Roman arches. However, it also features a slightly pitched arch which is a characteristic of Gothic architecture. Above the door the tympanum shows a relief of Judgement Day.(fig. 10) Artwork such as that was very common during these dark times. St. Sernin in Toulouse, France was built in the 11th century. It is made almost entirely of brick, giving it the fortress characteristic familiar to the Romanesque period. It has barrel vaults and Roman arches.(fig. 11) The bell tower itself features many Roman arches. St. Sernin also has capitals that feature scenes from the Bible or demons to remind the church goer that the end is near. (fig. 12)


Eventually the government came back in power and invasions and crime settled down. This signifies the beginning of the Gothic period. People began to turn their attentions to intricate details in their art. Gothic style was very ornate. This period brought about the invention of stained glass windows and the flying buttress. Notre Dame de Paris in France (fig. 13) highlights the Gothic architectural characteristics such as the rose window, stained glass, pitched groin vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses, a heavily sculpted facade, and there are even statues on the roof. It is famous for its gargoyles. (fig. 14) It does have Romanesque influences such as the basilica plan, the bell tower and some Roman arches. Another example is the Chartes Cathedral in France.(fig. 15) It is very similar to Notre Dame de Paris- its almost identical. Both were originally built for pilgrimmages. Saint Chapelle illustrates the feel of the Gothic period. The Gothic period was all about bringing in light, where as the Romanesque period was very dark. In this "cathedral of light" you are totally surrounded by walls of light. (fig. 16) The walls no longer need to be made out of stone to protect people from invaders. The new technology of flying buttresses and groin vaults allow for less weight to be put on the walls, therefore allowing for stained glass to run from the floor to the ceiling.














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