Unit 4

Romanesque and Gothic

2º ESO Maira Gil Camarón

Source: Santillana Richmond

1- What was medieval Christianity like?

• Christianity was the main religion in Europe CHRISTENDOM

• Church affected all aspect of life• Church had great social, political and economic

power• CRUSADES: were military expeditions organised

by the Pope to take the Holy land from the Muslims

• So, art in the Middle Ages was related with religion, it was Christian Art

The Crusades

2- What was the Romanesque art like?

ROMANESQUE: 11th and 12 centuries

•Aimed to spread religion and bring people closer to God•The use of symbols was very important•Artists were anonymous craftsmen•Only the Church commissioned art

Romanesque architecture

● The most representative buildings were churches, cathedrals and monasteries

● Material: stone● Churches and cathedral were usually cruciform● Elements: barrel vaults, domes, arches, big

columns and pillars, very small windows● They let little light inside● The buildings looked very solid and compact

ArchitectureFloor plan: Latin-cross plan

San Martín de Frómista (Palencia)

Romanesque sculpture

● It had an educational and religious function● Size and shape were adapted to fit into the

architecture● Sculptures were unrealistic● They were painted in bright colours● Parts of the churches that received more

decoration: facades (especially tympanums), capitals, and cloisters

● Main materials: stone and wood● Main topics: religious

Church of Santa María la Real, Sangüesa. Facade

Doubt of Santo Tomás.Monasterio de Silos

Romanesque Painting● The most important paintings were inside churches● Figures were unrealistic, rigid and schematic.

Some were painted much bigger to show their importance (symbolic)

● They were painted in bright colours● Figures were outlined in black● There were no background● There were different types of painting:

-Mural painting (walls)-Panel painting (altars, altarpieces)-Miniatures (manuscripts)

Romanesque Painting

San Clemente de Tahull. Pantocrator

San Isidoro de León. Royal Pantheon

Miniatures

3- How did Europe evolve after the 11th century?

URBAN CULTURE● Renaissance in cities and urban life● Boom in architecture● Nobles and the Church commissioned

works of art● Religious orders now decided to create their

monasteries or convents in the cities

THE CREATION OF UNIVERSITIES● The kings wanted educated people for their

courts● Schools in the cities were either controlled

by the church or by the town council● Universities started with the desire of

independence, not to depend on the Church

Mendicant ordersWhat is called the mendicant

movement in Church history took place primarily in the 13th century in Western Europe. Up until that time the monks of Europe worked at their trade in their monastery. While renouncing personal property, they owned all things in common as a community.

There emerged the new mendicant orders founded by Francis of Assisi (c.1181-1226) and Dominic Guzman (c.1170-1221).

Gothic Art13-15th Centuries

Origin

At the end of the 12th Century the Gothic style of art emerged in France. After France, it quickly spread to Europe

As Romanesque art, it had an educational and religious purpose mainly. But in this period civil art developed also

4- What were Gothic sculpture and painting like?● Religious and educational function● Figures were not adapted to fit architecture. They became

independent● Figures were more realistic and natural● Curved lines were popular. They tried to show movement● They tried to express feelings● Stone was the most commonly used material. Wood was

also popularThe main creations were:● Altarpieces● Choir stalls● Capitals● Tombs● Gargoyles● Facades

Majesty Facade. Santa Maria la Mayor, Toro (Zamora)

Gothic PaintingIn the Gothic style mural painting was less common. It

was replaced by stained glass windows, except in Italy.Miniature continued being popular to illustrate

manuscripts.Painting on wood became popular later, and altarpieces

were painted on wood in one or more panels for the churches.

Religious scenes continued to be the most used, but a new theme appeared, the portrait.

Main features:● Bright colours● Use of gold● Background landscapes● Greater realism and movement

Panel painting. Altarpiece

Stained glass windows

Rose window

5- What was Gothic architecture like?The Cathedral was the most representative building. It

was the centre of the city. Religious services were held there. But they had other civil functions before town halls were built. Guilds and municipal councils met there.

New architectural techniques:● Pointed arch● Rib vault● Pillars● Flying buttresses● Thin walls and very high● Big windows (stained glass and rose windows in bright colours)● Latin cross plan, polygonal apse● Central nave higher and bigger

Architecture

Cathedrals. León

Chartres Cathedral

Civil architecture. Town halls

LouvainBrussels

UniversitiesCambridge

Markets (Lonjas)

Valencia

Palma de Mallorca

Maira Gil Camarón

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