|
MEDIEVAL ART IN EUROPE CHAPTER 14 Sometimes the overlapping of Byzantine and Medieval gets intertwined. Remember that Byzantine art is related to a particular region (more of the Eastern portion of the Roman Empire). Therefore, Medieval art is related more to the Western portion of the Roman Empire. Most of the art discussed as Medieval would then be found in Italy, France, England, etc. Look at the map at the beginning of Chapter 14 to orient yourself. I want you to go ahead and read the entire chapter, even though some of the regions won't be covered in class or on the test.
English Medieval (Images only)
ROMANESQUE ART
Because of the crusades and pilgrimages (p. 513) to sacred shrines, there became a crucial need for larger churches. Therefore, the churches being built in the 10th and 11th centuries were quite a bit larger than the previous periods. To enlarge the basic basilica plan, they added a transept (this formed a symbolic cross shape when viewing the church from above). They were more massive looking (basic geometric shapes), with very few windows (giving it a fortress-like appearance), and had two or more bell towers. The rounded arch (Roman arch) was used throughout, as well as barrel vaulting over the nave section (see St. Sernin interior). We also see a return to the use of sculpture, especially on the exterior of the church (entrance portrals). A good example is Christ in Majesty, and Royal Portals from Chartres Cathedral. These works are in relief and somewhat distorted. There is still a lack of depth in space, and the figures remain more column-like. The interiors were plain, contrasting with the jewel-like mosaics of the Byzantine/Early Christian churches. Candles and altars were positioned down the side aisles, and chapels around the transept. The masses could flow freely around the church using the outside aisles and ambulatory, leaving the nave section for worship. Sometimes tapestries were used (Bayeaux Tapesty), though, to cover some of the bare walls. This isn't really a tapesty (woven), but rather embroidery on linen cloth (techniques discussed on p. 534), and was intended to hang in the nave of the Bayeaux Cathedral. I visited this town last March and thought the Bayeaux Cathedral beautiful! The tapesty is also impressive. You have examples of a French Romanesque church in St. Sernin, and an Italian Romanesque Church in the Pisa Cathedral Complex. The English church, Durham Cathedral, is discussed throughly in your book on page 530-531. It is part of a whole complex that was fortified with a castle, a monastery, and the cathedral. Pisa Cathedral has a dome and still uses the rounded arch and transept. The building that looks like a crown is a baptisty, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a separate bell tower. Pisa also has a facade of marble with pink and green stripes. This pattern is repeated on the interior vaults. Marble was more readily available in Italy, so we see it used more extensively and decoratively than in France, England or Spain.
Interesting Links for Romanesque and Gothic:
Updated 9-26-2000
|
