Saturday, February 13, 2016

Romanesque

  The Romanesque period was ruled by Charles the Great in 800 AD.  This was a time where learning and the arts were encouraged, schools and monasteries were established, Roman literature was copied and preserved, and finally, building was encouraged through the use of technology of Roman structures.

Little architecture was built before 1000 AD, however, a minimum of 1,587 churches were built between 1000-1100.  In addition, the religious movement was also strong during this time and they initiated pilgrimages to Christian shrines.

Some of typical and reoccurring features of Romanesque Churches were semicircular arches and vaults; the nave, transept, and apse were modified for a better space; a side chapel was added in the transept; and they were influenced by the early Christian Basilica.  A choir was also added, as well as including multiple aisles and vaulting.  The space was created to be larger to hold more worshipers and better lighting was provided.  The roofs of the churches were masonry, not wood, they had rich tapestries hung around, gilded sculptures, and the walls were painted in rich greens, blues, purples, and golds.

St. Bernard established a monastery at Fontenay in 1118.  It produced goods such as wool and iron.  It had an overall austere appearance, and there were blank walls above the slightly pointed nave arcades.  It is a great example of religious and economic force.

The Pisa Baptistery in Pisa, Italy includes 3 free standing buildings, a cross shaped cathedral, a cylindrical baptistery, a tall Canpanile, and was made of local marble.

A lot of the Romanesque ornament is stone carvings.  The believed in rewards of virtue and punishment of vice.  Furthermore, they show Christ draped in swirled clothing, extending his hands to the various people groups of the world.

Finally, Romanesque residential design was drafty, wet, and dark.  There was a center fire in the great hall, and many homes were made from wood, brick, mud, twigs, and contained dirt floors.

 

Past



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Extra Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grz69X4sZLQ

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