The term "Romanesque" meaning in the manner of Romans was first coined in Nineteenth century. Today it is used to refer the period of European art that prevailed from second half of 11th century till twelfth century. (except at Paris, where Gothic sytle originated in mid-12th century)
The relations of art to architecture - especially church architecture- is fundamental in this period.The most important form of art that emerged was architecturtal sculpture- with sculpture used to decorate churches built of stone.
The two most sculptural forms include tympanum (lunette shaped space located entrance of a church) and a historiated capital (capital incorportating important narration usually an episode from the Bible)
One of the most famous tympanums is on the west entrance to Autun Cathedral which represents- The last judgement.
The influence of Romans on the art is significant, hence the name " Romanesque". Hence Roman sculpture can be clearly seen in a marble relief representing the calling of St.Peter ab=nd St. Andrew from the front fieze of the abbey church of Sant Pere de Rodes on the Catalonian coast.
Classical influence was also frequently mediated through an intermediary- most importantly Byzantine art (textile and painting) but also art which had absorbed elements of classical tradition such as Ottonian art.
The Bury bible is a good example of the remarkable achievements of monastic scriprtoria in the Romanesque period.
Monasteries were not the only centers of production. Romanesque art is also associated with towns that were revived and expanded during this period.
Romnanesque art is for the most part religious in its imagery, but this is partly a matter what has survived, and there are examples off secular art from the period.
Unusual is a casket in The British Museum, a product of Limoges craftsmanship,which is made of wood.
The most highly valued works of art during the Romanesque period were objects of metal work made from precious metals that were frequentl;y produced to house relics.
An example is Stavelot Triptych consists of acentral panel flanked by side wings that can be closed, a design format derived from Byzantine art but made at Benedictine monastery of Stavelot in Mosan region in present day Belgium
The apse wall painting from church of San Clememte is good example of Romanesque style.
Some of the Romanesque charts include Abbey church of Clone, Abbey of Saint -Etienne, Angouleme Cathedral, Saint Front (all located iun France), Durham Cathedral, Tewkesbury cathedral, Kilpeck church, Dunfermline abbey (located in UK), Lisbon cathedral, Monastery of Rates (portugal) etc.
The iconography hidden at the back of sacred space invites us to consider each capital in relation to the near by wall apintings.
The meaning of the images is spelled out by inscriptiuons which sopmetimes identify specific elements, but more usually provide interpretative key to the whole work
Tympanum indicates that large amount of capital was available at that time to construct and pay off the workers.
The workers at that time are extremely skilled were a force to be reckoned to work with.
The illustration oif Good and Evil , the sculptured presentation of the social order is also portrayed in the art.
The iconography of the last judgement can be viewed as an association to Salvation

Discuss the type of sculpture that decorated Romanesque churches. Where was it located? Why was it there? What sorts of messages did it convey to medieval viewers?

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