Pre-Romanesque Art in Spain: Visigothic and Asturian Styles
Pre-Romanesque Art in Spain: Visigothic and Asturian Periods
Visigothic Art (5th-8th Centuries)
Visigothic art in Spain, while influenced by Roman traditions, developed its own unique characteristics. One notable feature is its coarseness, a deliberate aesthetic choice. A defining element of Visigothic architecture is the horseshoe arch, an arch resembling a circle with approximately one-third removed. This arch, likely of Eastern origin, was employed extensively in their constructions.
Key examples of Visigothic architecture include:
- The Head Chapel: One of the oldest churches in Spain, located in Segovia, featuring a horseshoe arched apse.
- San Juan de Baños: This church has a distinctive plan with three rectangular apses. The apse, where the altar was located, was designed with an ambulatory, allowing pilgrims to walk around the altar. The front wall is square.
- San Pedro de la Nave (Zamora): This church has a cruciform plan inscribed within a rectangle. It features two isolated chambers that may have been used as a vestry. The construction utilizes ashlar masonry.
Visigothic churches often employed a Latin cross plan, where the nave is longer than the transept, as opposed to the Greek cross plan, where the arms are of equal length. The primary building material was stone, and the structures often displayed a geometric approach to volume.
Ariconica Representation: Capitals in San Pedro de la Nave showcase intricate carvings. The Visigoths were also skilled in silverwork, as evidenced by elaborate crowns.
Asturian Art (8th-10th Centuries)
Asturian art emerged as a distinct style, differing from its Visigothic predecessor in several key aspects:
- Ashlar masonry and brick were largely abandoned in favor of rubblework.
- The horseshoe arch was replaced by the canted arch, an arch whose curvature begins above the fascia line and is taller than half of its span.
Notable examples of Asturian architecture include:
- San Julián de los Prados: This basilica features three naves, a transept, and three apses. The interior is adorned with frescoes that mimic architectural elements, reflecting the Asturian-Leonese style.
- Santa María del Naranco: Originally a palace, later converted into a church, this structure has two floors. The lower floor features a barrel vault, while the upper floor, likely with a wooden roof originally, is accessed by a double staircase. The building is characterized by heavy ashlar masonry, buttresses, canted arches, and decorative rope moldings.
- San Miguel de Lillo: This church, built by the same architect as Santa María del Naranco, features a triple apse and barrel vaults. The jambs are decorated with scenes inspired by Byzantine and Visigothic art, including depictions of circus figures.
- Santa Cristina de Lena: This church has four lateral spaces, two apses, and two natural staircases connecting to the main part of the temple. It features an iconostasis, a screen separating the faithful from the priest. The orientation of the church suggests it was built so that the priest faced Mecca during prayer.
Crosses were often commissioned to commemorate the coronation of a king. The Latin cross, often adorned with colored stones, is a recurring motif. The Victory Cross, with its intricate relief, is a particularly fine example.