Romanesque Flashcards
Architectural features
Semicircular arches, thick walls, small windows, towers, groin vaults, barrel vaults, piers and columns
semicircular arches
- Semi-circular in shape
- Used for doorways, windows, and arcades
- Were a distinctive feature of Romanesque
- Give a sense of solidity
thick walls
- Thick, heavy walls
- Bear the weight, providing strength and durability
- Served as structural and defensive
barrel vault
- A series of arches placed side by side to form a tunnel-like structure
- Long, rounded, and continuous vaulted ceilings
- Help distribute the weight of the structure
- Provide a unifying interior space.
groin vault
- Two barrel vaults intersected at right angles
- Provide additional structural stability
- Allow for higher ceilings.
piers and columns
- thick and solid, often plain and round
- simple capitals
- used to support the weight of the vaulted ceilings
towers
- shapes vary from square, octagonal, and circular
- serve as both defensive structures and visual focal points
- built with thick walls to provide strength and stability
- constructed using stone
small and deep windows
- small, round-headed windows
- deeply set into thick walls
- limited amount of light
- give the sense of fortress-like structures
monastery elements
A monastery is a religious residence, but were also centers of learning, culture and community.
CLOISTER: a central courtyard surrounded by arcades
CHURCH: a monastery’s centerpiece
DORMITORY: sleeping areas
REFECTORY: dining hall
BELL TOWER: featuring bells
CHAPELS: small areas dedicated to specific saints
GARDENS: used for growing medicinal herbs
DEFENSIVE FEATURES: fortified walls and watchtowers
church plans
BASILICA FLOOR PLAN:
* LONGITUDINAL PLAN: a long, rectangular nave that extends from the entrance to the apse.
* NAVE: the central nave is typically wider and taller than the side aisles. It is often separated by rows of columns and piers.
* AISLES: basilicas have one or more side aisles on each side of the nave
* TRANSEPT: (optional) a cross-shaped extension that intersects the nave, creating a cross-shaped plan
* APSE: a semicircular apse where the altar is located
* CHAPELS: small areas radiating from the apse
LATIN CROSS PLAN:
* CRUCIFORM LAYOUT: cross-shaped layout, long nave and a shorter transept
* NAVE: the central nave is typically wider and taller than the side aisles. It is often separated by rows of columns and piers.
* AISLES: basilicas have one or more side aisles on each side of the nave
* TRANSEPT: a cross-shaped extension that intersects the nave, creating a cross-shaped plan
* CROSSING: the intersection of the nave and transept, a dome rises above the crossing
pisa complex
PISA COMPLEX
1. The Tower:
* Cylindrical shape with 8 stories
* Bell tower
* Leans to one side due to the unstable foundation soil
* White/gray marble façade, with blind arcades and columns
* Each story is encircled by arches, supported by columns with Corinthian capitals
- The Cathedral
* Marble façade adorned with columns and arcades
* 1 central nave with 2 side aisles, supported by columns and arches
* Semicircular apse
* The transept creates a cross-shaped floor plan
* A dome rises above the crossing - The Baptistery
* Circular shape
* Features blind arcades and columns with Corinthian capitals on the exterior
* Features a high dome
worms cathedral
- Located in Worms, Germany
- Exterior with thick walls and semi-circular arches
- Twin towers on the west façade
- 1 nave, side aisles and a transept
- Barrel vaults above the nave
- Adorned with intricate stone carving on the exterior
romanesque art and sculpture
PAINTING:
* Primarily focused on religious themes and narratives from the Bible
* Painting were often flat, two-dimensional with little sense of depth
* Colors, shapes and objects held symbolic meanings
* Churches featured frescoes and mural painting on their interior walls
* Lack of perspective
SCULPTURE:
* Depicted religious and symbolic themes
* Were carved from stone
* Figures were scaled according to their importance
