Romanesque Sculpture

K.J. Benoy

Introduction Monumental sculpture

in stone did not really revive in the Carolingian and Ottonian periods.

However, Wooden works, like the Gero Crucifix did exist in Medieval times prior to the Romanesque period.

Introduction

Stone carving in the Early Middle Ages survived in shallow relief and as architectural ornament.

9th Century Ivory from Monza in Italy

Introduction

Adam & Eve, Pecs Cathedral, Hungary

Origins of Romanesque Sculpture Romanesque

sculpture, like architecture, began along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Campostela in Spain.

Pilgrims wearing the cockle shell badge walked hundreds of kilometers to Santiago

Origins of Romanesque Sculpture

Very early Romanesque sculpture was often shallow relief carved on architectural features, like this lintel at St. Genis, France (1019-1020)

Christ framed by a mandorla (halo) and supported by angels.

Origins of Romanesque Sculpture Romanesque got its

name from being “like Roman”.

This was true of much sculpture, as well as architecture. Note the classical reference in the Apostle from St. Sernin.

Origins of Romanesque Sculpture Sculpture had obvious

advantages over painting as decoration.– It is more solid and

lasting – few Romanesque frescos have survived.

– Because it is three dimensional, it seems more real, even when stylized.

Origins of Romanesque Sculpture

Jesus at the Temple, Nantola Abbey

The Adoration of the Magi, Nantola Abbey

Origins of Romanesque Sculpture

Romanesque sculpture is generally linked to its architectural settings

Late Romanesque figures from Italy

Romanesque Capitals

Carved capitals were particularly popular during the Romanesque period.

They featured stylized designs.

And figures in scenes.

Bird & Foliage Design

Pilgrims

Romanesque Capitals

Typically, the figures were stylized and recognizable as people, but not realistic.

Romanesque Capitals

Romanesque Capitals

St. Foy, Conques

Romanesque Capitals

St. Foy, Conques

Romanesque Capitals

Stories were told to a largely illiterate audience of parishioners and pilgrims.

Christ at the Last Judgment

Romanesque Capitals

The Arrest of Christ

Romanesque Capitals

Death of John the Baptist, Attributed to Gislebertus, St. Etienne

Romanesque Capitals

Puy-en-Velay, France

Romanesque Capitals

Scenes would also act as warnings against the consequences of sin.

Capital at St. Michele, Pavia

Wall Decoration

Wall niches, both on the interior and exterior of churches might feature carved decoration.

Angel, Pecs Cathedral, Hungary

Wall Decoration

King David and his Harp, Denaude, France

Wall Decoration

Samson’s Enigma. Samson takes honey from the mouth of a lion.

Wall Decoration

St. Andrew. Attributed to Gislebertus, St. Etienne

Wall Decoration

Romanesque sculpture remains firmly rooted to its architectural setting.

Peter & Paul Jamb, Vezelay

Entry Portals

Nowhere is this clearer than in the entry portals of the great Romanesque pilgrimage churches of Southern France.

Entry Portals

Entry Portal, West Façade, St. Foy

Entry Portals Beneath the entry arch, but above the lintel, was the tympanum, a large area of stone that need did not bear the weight of the building above.

Sculptures used this as a magnificent canvas for their greatest works.

Entry Portal, West Façade, St. Foy

Entry Portal – St. Pierre, Moissac

Entry to St. Pierre, Moissac

Tympanum of St. Pierre, showing Christ sitting in judgment – a favourite scene.

Entry Portal – St. Pierre, Moissac

Jambs on either side of the door and even the trumeau were decorated lavishly.

At St. Pierre the prophet Jeremiah is stretched to fit on the side of the trumeau.

Entry Portal – St. Pierre, Moissac

Detail of the face of Jeremiah.

Entry Portal – St. Lazare, Autun The same scene, the

Last Judgment, was given a little differently by Gislebertus at St. Lazare, Autun.

The basic scene remains the same. – A large Christ figure

rules on who is saved (on his right) and damned (on his left).

– Souls await judgment in a miniature register beneath him.

Entry Portal – St. Lazare, Autun

The separation of good and evil on the lower register.

Entry Portal – St. Lazare, Autun

Christ, in his mandorla, sits in judgment

Disembodied hands pluck up a soul for judgment

Entry Portal – St. Lazare, Autun

As souls are weighed, demons unfairly tip the balance.

Such detail and virtuosity is typical of the work of Gislebertus – one of the only medieval sculptors to sign his work.

Entry Portal – St. Madeleine, Vezelay

From the portal of the Narthex of St. Madeleine comes this scene.

This time Jesus sits not in judgment, but to direct the apostles to spread the Gospel.

St. Madeleine is directly linked with the crusades. – Urban II had intended to preach the first crusade here. – St. Bernard preached the second from here.– Richard the Lionheart and Phillip I departed from here.

Entry Portal – St. Madeleine, Vezelay

The archivolts display the signs of the zodiac and work that occurs at each of these times.

This symbolizes the need to have faith at all times and in all circumstances.

It also provides the pilgrim visitor with a feast of visual detail to enjoy.

Conclusions Romanesque sculpture was richly detailed

and expressive. It was rooted firmly to the architecture that

housed it. Figures are symbolic and positioned and

poised according to significance. Size indicates importance.

Reality is implied, but is not important. Forms are expressive, rather than

naturalistic.