Romanesque Architecture and Sculptural Programs
key ideas:
•Latin cross plan
•coherence of design: unity and symmetry
•heavy, thick walls and small windows
•the use of a Roman vault—inherently limited; the barrel vault
creates tremendous thrust at the springing point
•creates a wonderful “stage” for the miracle of the Eucharist—the
presence of God—God made incarnate again
•large, ordered space which contrasted strongly with the chaos and
uncertainty outside the church walls
•use of sculptural programs to educate and engage the viewer
Roman barrel vault
in order to support a
heavy roof—one that
is very wide--the walls
of the nave would
have to be very, very
thick
floor plan
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Spain 1075-1211
floor plan
Durham Cathedral
England 1093-1133
floor plan
Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy
Conques, France 1125-1135
Church of Saint Cyriakus, Genrode begun 961 (Germany)
Church of Saint Cyriakus,
Genrode begun 961
(Germany)
floor plan
La Madeleine at Vezelay
France 1096-1132
nave
La Madeleine at Vezelay
France 1096-1132
Fontenay Abbey France
1139
Nave, Abbey Church of
Nortre-Dame, Fontenay
1139--1147
West Facade, Abbey Church of Nortre-Dame, Fontenay 1139--1147
floor plan
Autun Cathedral
Burgundy, France 1132
Amiens Cathedral
Gothic
**note that the heavy
walls are gone
Last Judgment
main portal (west end)
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
Last Judgment, tympanum Autun Cathedral
detail Last Judgment
main portal (west end)
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
detail Last Judgment
main portal (west end)
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
Dream of the Magi
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
Eve
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
Pilgrims
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
Suicide of Judas, capital
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
Flight into Egypt
Autun Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Lazare
Burgundy, France
12th century
South Portal
Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
Toulouse, France
1120-1135
South Portal
Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
Toulouse, France
1120-1135
St. Jeremiah
trumeau
Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
Toulouse, France
1120-1135
St. Jeremiah
trumeau
Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
Toulouse, France
1120-1135
“the weeping prophet”
St. Jeremiah
trumeau
Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
Toulouse, France
1120-1135
St. Jeremiah
trumeau
Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
Toulouse, France
1120-1135
The Soul of a Rich Man
Tormented by Devils
Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
Toulouse, France
tympanum, Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy, Conques 1125-1135
Christ in Judgment
detail of tympanum
Abbey Church of SainteFoy, Conques
1125-1135
Christ in Judgment
detail of tympanum
Abbey Church of SainteFoy, Conques
1125-1135
Christ in Judgment
detail of tympanum
Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy, Conques
1125-1135
Christ in Judgment detail of tympanum
Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy, Conques 1125-1135