1.ROMANESQUE SUMMARY

Romanesque architecture emerged about 1000 and lasted until about 1150, by which time it had evolved into Gothic. The Romanesque was at its height between 1075 and 1125 in France, Italy, Britain, and the German lands.

  • new political and economic security-
  • The growth of the Roman Catholic Church and the regulation of its rituals and liturgy inspired its followers to embark on pilgrimages, visiting various churches and paying respects to martyrs and relics in each one.
  • The economic benefit of such travel to
    cities led to rapid architectural developments, in which cities vied for grander and grander churches.

during the Romanesque period, architects
developed the ribbed vault, which allowed vaults to be lighter and higher, thus allowing for more windows on the upper level of the structure.

The ribbed vault would be more fully developed and utilized during the subsequent Gothic period, but important early examples in the 11th century set the precedent.

First, we need to understand the state of art & architecture during the medieval time periods of Romanesque and Gothic

the use of visual iconography for didactic purposes became prevalent.

As most people outside of the monastic orders were illiterate, complex religious scenes were used to guide and teach the faithful of Christian doctrine.

Architects developed the use of the
tympanum

the arched area above the doors of the church, to show scenes such as the Last Judgment to set the mood upon entering the church, and other biblical stories, saints, and prophets decorated interior and exterior doors, walls, and, capitals to shepherd the worshippers' prayers (The Art Story, Romanesque Architecture and Art, ND).

GOTHIC ART SUMMARY

Gothic art evolved from Romanesque art and lasted from the mid-12th century to as late as the end of the 16th century in some areas.

With soaring vaults and resplendent stained glass windows, Gothic architecture attempted to
recreate a heavenly environment on earth.

Elaborating on Romanesque styles, Gothic builders, beginning in the 12th century, further developed the use of flying buttresses and decorative tracery between stained glass windows thus creating interior spaces that dwarfed worshippers and dazzled their senses.

new interest in humanism (manifested later and powerfully in Rennaissance Humanism),

architectural and portable sculpture primarily depicted figures that acquired more naturalistic and sensuous features than had previously existed in the Middle Ages.

Renaissance artists and writers in the 16th century coined the term Gothic, and the early art historian Giorgio Vasari infamously reinforced the unfavorable connotations when he referred to Gothic art as “monstrous and barbaric” since it did not conform to classical ideals.

Wealthy noblemen commissioned lavish manuscript illuminations- toward the end of the Gothic era in the 14th century, elaborate altarpieces and frescoes became more common in churches and chapels.

It was not until the mid-1700s with the Gothic Revival in England that the style shed its negative associations.

Subsequently Gothic architecture in particular inspired new churches in the 19th century, city buildings, and university architecture well into the 20th century