Romanesque
Art Fortune | Romanesque
A unique movement in art history, the Romanesque style is made up mostly of religious work that included grand architectural and sculptural pieces, illuminated manuscripts and stained glass. Remembered for being the first style to encompass Catholic Europe, extending from Denmark to Sicily, from about AD 1000 – 1200, the Romanesque style later went on to influence artists of the Gothic period. Many artists of this time are unfortunately unknown, but they left behind an astounding legacy of creating stunning pieces of religious structure and artwork. During this time, the demand for cathedrals and places of worship was huge and as a result, much of Romanesque artwork is architectural work.
Combining features of Western Roman and Byzantine buildings, Romanesque took an a unique identity and are known for their thick walls, round arches, groin vaults and large towers adorned with beautiful decoration. Sculptural artwork is also just as impressive. Made from stone, Romanesque sculptures were rarely secular, and most often portrayed religious figures such as the Jesus and his Apostles, The Virgin Mary and God. Sculptors of this time still had a elementary understanding of the human form, giving these figures and elongated and narrow look.
Other religious pieces that were frequent for this time were illuminated manuscripts. These highly ornate manuscripts were prayer books supplemented with elaborate decoration. As you can see, the Romanesque period of art was one that produced many kinds of artistic variety and was one that still impresses us today.
 
 
|
