Romanesque ArtRomanesque ArtBy Martin CJ MongielloBy Martin CJ Mongiello

the monumental revivalthe monumental revival

throughout Europethroughout Europe

from the 10from the 10thth century century

to the middle of theto the middle of the

12th century12th century

Wherein does beauty rest, wherein do lovers laugh, wherein do artisans create when overflowing with joy…

For he worked on thine column here for 37 days, up in the air there with that of the scaffold…

And he seemed so happy and in love… look, look at all of these magnificent works he hast created…

“in the manner of the Romans”

ROMANESQUE

During this period of art explosion there was massive growth for the church and other buildings of various styles. After making its debut in the ancient Roman empire The style spreads to France, Germany and Austria as well as numerous other countries. Designed not only toto be beautiful works of art – the works are also designed to spread the gospel message through pictures. The emphasis became - a picture is worth a thousand words.

You can write detailed scholarly works and tomes – but a single, silent work of art is worth a thousand of your words. It only needs to stand there, alone as a column. It is. It does not need you to explain about it, grade it, fail it with an F or an A. It simply exists. Not to be eclipsed or stolen from by your writings… The best thing for you to do is cease writing and trying to sound smart – just sit down on the ground there and be. Be. Be in front of it and... Just marvel.

It is

Just be

In sculpture we will see huge monuments the size of churches and other carved items that decorate and educate.

In metal we will have beautiful crucifixes and candlesticks created.

In manuscript illumination we have Bibles produced, the Psalter, great books, the art and perfection of copying for church and society. During this rebirth in the arts of writing Monks will be instructed to study and read for hours per day and artists will create carpets that cannot be walked upon but can be touched.

In paintings, buildings will be glorified via frescos and murals beyond time or creation on earth again.

thine region in this period…

The leaning tower of Pisa (as it is commonly known) is one of the greatest examples of Romanesque architecture (Torre pendente di Pisa). It is been said that Galileo conducted his experiments from the tower on gravity – and he is the most famous son of Pisa, Italy. During the period of our interest, Pisa will be a very strong power and regional power - lending its ships to send warriors to the holy land.

Pisa, Italy - La Torre di Pisa - The Tower of Pisa

A bell tower for ringing. Begun in 1173 and worked on for about 177 years by numerous

artists and Directors. There are seven bells,

one for each note of the musical major scale.

The largest one was installed in 1655. Its

emphasis is on magnificence in shape

being erect and cylindrical. The symmetry of

her lines is balanced perfectly, floor to floor, via

stacked arches adding to the stunning look. Her

lack of color, in being white, is silent in art.

The Romanesque church of San Millan in Spain Is a classic example of Romanesque transcendence away from timber construction and into more masonry vaulted work. This use in art prevented fire – which was extremely important. Emphasis continues on semicircular shaped arch windows, doorways and arcades. Note also the use of a more pleasing color used for the classic walls and clay tile roofs. The bunching of rotunda with square buildings and elongated tower is very enjoyable to the human eye. Likewise, the black steeple gains attention via shape,

positioning and color contrast.

Built 1111 to 1124.

Segovia, Spain.

Alfonso, King of Aragon ordered

It to be built.

Moorish looks reminiscent of

Muslim Spain before Queen

Isabella defeated them and brought christianity to all of Spain.

The Romanesque church of San Millan also hosts tremendous and beautiful art work inside. The horizontal beams at the top of the ceiling create fantastic contrast to the tall reaching columns, reaching upwards vertically. The beautiful view and colors of the yellow spectrum create a dynamic affect inside. Additionally, the semi-circular,

rounded Antechamber above the altar

is caped by another such one - just a bit

larger. This tiered effect dramatizes the

altar that much more.

Built 1111 to 1124. Segovia, Spain.

Alfonso, King of Aragon ordered

It to be built.

The Romanesque church of San Millan also hosts other artwork inside. I decided to highlight this statue, although I could not find much on it. I shall translate it from Spanish. This is a statue of Saint Michael crushing the devil under his boot. His right handed sword arm is in motion and obviously emphasizing that his next stroke is going to be to kill the devil. The site says he is the

Arch-Angel Michael. The flowing skirt is neat and

colorful against the breastplate. The detail of the

statue is very realistic and shows detailed form.

Talla de San Miguel Arcángel

sometiendo al demonio

Built 1111 to 1124. Segovia, Spain.

Alfonso, King of Aragon ordered

It to be built.

Vézelay Basilica

Philip Augustus and Richard the Lion Heart convened and made plans here as they started the third crusade in 1190.

Vezelay, Burgundy, France

Rebuilt and burned numerous times or defaced or destroyed. Eugene Viollet-le-Duc is Most likely the most famous architect – but certainly not the only one.

This former church takes great form at the top of the hill, in its village, surrounded completely by houses. Therefore it juts into the sky, with the French classically known, square cathedral tower. This is often called a shining example of Burgundian Romanesque architecture.

The beautiful cathedral like façade, with balanced six windows above the front doors, is magnificent. It provides movement towards the sky – leading upwards towards the Father. The windows are progressive in length also providing momentum moving up. The carvings above the windows provide for great emphasis and capture of attention. It’s color is quite staid in appearnce.

Vézelay Basilica

Philip Augustus and Richard the Lion Heart convened and made plans here as they started the third crusade in 1190.

Vezelay, Burgundy, France

The image of Jesus Christ dominates the center of the statues and carvings. It is interesting to examine the miniature statues of humans all around him and in the heavens. On top of that, in perfect unision is a belt of disks - and inside each perfect medallion, are further depictions of human life. Also, underneath Christ’s feet from left to right is a pageantry of life on earth. That medium here is carved stone and it is done very slowly and intricately. Christ is ultimately surrounded by a perfectly balanced semicircle. The belts and borders are divided up Into perfectly measured sectors. What is interesting is all of this activity is compressed into the semicircle and the only way out is through Christ leading upward towards the father. Motion is created subliminally. Otherwise there is no way to get out of the semicircle. This depiction continues the projection of the Christian church through art work that, “one can only come to the father through me”.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, , 7 Jun. 2010,

http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0002483

Encyclopedia Britannica – Romanesque Architecture, 7 Jun. 2010, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1384996/Romanesque-architecture

Turismo de Segovia - The Official Tourism site of Segovia , 7 Jun. 2010, http://www.turismodesegovia.com/

A high place of christianity since the Middle Ages, Vézelay , 7 Jun. 2010, http://www.vezelaytourisme.com/unpeudhistoireanglais.htm

San Miguel Archangel, 7 Jun. 2010,

http://sanmiguelarcangel.net/2010/06/01/talla-de-san-miguel-arcangel-sometiendo-al-demonio/