Romanesque and Pre-Romanesque Architecture in Europe
Romanesque Architecture in Medieval Europe
The Romanesque style marked the first significant artistic period in medieval Europe. Its diffusion was aided by the Benedictine order, the Crusades, pilgrimages to holy sites, and the movement of teams of masons and sculptors across Europe. While fundamentally religious, Romanesque architecture also included civilian buildings.
Characteristics of Romanesque Architecture
Romanesque architecture is characterized by:
- Use of stone.
- Thick walls, columns, and cruciform pillars.
- Semicircular arches.
- Barrel vaults (formed by the displacement of an arch along a longitudinal axis) or groin vaults (formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults).
Buildings were solid, with thick walls reinforced by buttresses. Windows were few and narrow, resulting in dark interiors. Sculpture and painting were primarily used in churches to praise God and teach doctrine to the illiterate. These art forms prioritized expressiveness over realism, featuring stiff and impassive figures.
Common subjects included scenes from the Old Testament, the life of Christ, legends of saints, representations of virtues and sins, and predictions about the end of the world. Sculpture was integrated into architecture, appearing on doorways and capitals. Sculptures were often made of polychrome wood or ivory. Typical representations include Christ nailed to the cross with four nails, wearing a long robe, and showing no expression of pain, and the Virgin Mary with the child sitting on her lap.
Painting was done on the interior walls of churches or on plaster-covered tables. It featured sharp black outlines, flat and uniform colors, and a lack of volume or depth. Miniatures were also developed to decorate books.
Features of Muslim Architecture
Muslim buildings are characterized by:
- Use of inexpensive materials.
- Columns and pillars.
- Various types of arches (horseshoe, pointed, etc.), often framed with a molding (alfiz).
- Flat or domed roofs.
Interiors were richly decorated with painted plaster or tiles. Stylized plant motifs (plasterwork), geometric motifs, and decorative entryways were common.
Types of Muslim Buildings
The most prominent types were mosques, palaces, and fortifications:
- Mosques: The best example is the Mosque of Cordoba, started in 785 by Abderraman I. The city’s growth led to various upgrades by his successors.
- Palaces: Notable examples include Medina Azahara (10th century) by Abderraman III and the Aljaferia of Zaragoza.
- Fortifications: These were numerous, with the citadels of Almeria and Malaga being prominent examples.
Culture and Pre-Romanesque Art
Until the 11th century, cultural activity was limited. It centered on monasteries, where monks copied books in Latin, striving to perfect their knowledge of the language.
Pre-Romanesque Art (Late 8th – Early 10th Century)
- Architecture: Used inexpensive materials, supports like pillars or columns, arches, and barrel vaults. Notable churches include San Julian de los Prados and San Miguel de Lillo.
- Goldsmithing: Works were decorated with filigree, precious stones, and enamels. Examples include the Cross of Los Angeles and the Cross of Victoria.
Mozarabic Art (10th Century)
Predominantly in Christian-dominated areas.
- Architecture: Used inexpensive materials, pillars or columns, Moorish arches, and wooden or horseshoe barrel vaults. Characterized by small churches like San Miguel de Escalada (Leon) and San Baudelio de Berlanga (Soria).
Romanesque Art (11th and 12th Centuries)
Architecture: Two main centers:
- Catalan Focus: Reflected Lombard influence, with exterior decoration of blind arches. Notable examples include churches with highly developed steeples (San Clemente in Lleida) and the monastery of San Pedro de Roda in Girona.
- Camino de Santiago Focus: Linked to the French Romanesque style, the Order of Cluny, and pilgrimages. Notable examples include the Cathedral of Jaca (Huesca), the monastery of Santa María de Sanguesa (Navarra), and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Sculpture was concentrated in the capitals and covers of churches, with Jaca, Sanguesa, and Santiago de Compostela being prominent examples. Painting was primarily mural, such as the apse of San Clemente and Santa María de Tahull (Lleida).