Romanesque Art

After the Great Migration ended, Christianity ultimately became the dominant religion of Europe. While there was a lot of fighting between countries, trade of arts and culture also flourished during this time. European religious pilgrimages inspired the construction of Romanesque cathedrals and other religious art.

Common Stylistic Characteristics:

• Stone cathedrals: Due to the dangers of fires, churches began to move away from wooden structures. Stone structures were adopted. Since Romans also built with marble and other stones, the period was labeled "Romanesque."

• Small windows: Because of the weight of the stone, the walls had to have as few holes as possible. Thus, the windows were small, allowing very little light to filter in. 

• Stained glass windows: As if the church wasn't dark enough, builders at the time also began incorporating stain glass windows. They often incorporated pictures of religious figures.

• Rib vaults: Roofs were supported by rib vaults (see definition). The introduction of rib vaults did allow for larger windows and open ceilings.

• Bays: See definition

• Ambulatory: (See definition). Ambulatories were used to accommodate pilgrimages and feast days. They helped direct crowds.

• Large: Conventionally, churches were fairly small. However, the Romanesque period saw an introduction of much larger buildings. To Christians, the large buildings would represent monumentality and solidity.

• Dark interiors: As previously stated, because of the lack of large windows and the introduction of stained glass, the churches were often dark. 

• Large-scale stone sculpture: While the large stone statues were mostly forgotten in the Early Medieval period, it saw a revival in the Romanesque period. These statues were used to depict religious stories and were often painted.

• Exaggerated gestures and emotions: Paintings in the Romanesque period were on illuminated manuscripts or wall murals. These paintings were vibrant, not only with their color, but with their gestures as well. 

• Large heads and hands: Figures had unnaturally sized heads and hands, which helped exaggerate their gestures. 

• Artists' signatures: In prior periods, artists didn't take credit for their work. However, artists started signing their names to claim the glory that came with their masterpieces.

• Flattened figures: The bodies of the figures were often flatter rather than defined. This effect was created through zigzag drapery and placing it within borders of a scene.

• Hierarchy of scale: The main religious figures were the central, tallest figures in the scene.

• Reliquaries: Reliquaries featuring sacred objects were prized during the wave of Christianity in Europe. These reliquaries would house sacred objects, which made them valuable among believers.