Bayeux Tapestry, scene of Harold swearing on two reliquarie; c. 1070

 

English embroidery.  What makes this piece unique is the ornamental patterns and the continuous narrative.  Commissioned by William's half brother Odo, bishop of Bayeux.  Its purpose is to record William's conquest of England, recount the events that led to the death of Harold, and illustrate the establishment of a new Norman dynasty.

 

Since it is a narrative of the Norman invasion and the defeat of the Hiberno Saxons, it probs envokes diff. thoughts and emotions within the 2 audiences.  

 

A monastic community dedicated to men--by Duke William (the conquerer) of Normandy.  The church itself was built and finished in time for the funeral of Willy the Conquerer. 

 

Churches built with strong, thick, stone walls--requiring internal support (piers that distribute the downward forced wieght) as well as external support (strip buttresses)

 

Characteristics of Romanesque Churches:

 

 

Church follows plan and style of Monte Cassino.

 

Apse contains Tree of Life mosaic. Classic revival is promenent in San Clemente--Nave arcade, ionic columns, apse mosaic.  Built over a Mithraic shrine.

 

Nave and altar are decorated w/ Cosmati work--white marble panels w/ geometric patterns made up of small pieces of colored glass and stones, inlaid in the floor.

 

Reaffirmed christian faith in its complex symbolism of Christ's resurrection.

 

Christ on cross, flanked by Mary and St. John.  12 doves symbolize the apostles.

 

Vines, animals, people at base of cross symbolize the earthly life.  Thru Christ's sacrifice Cross becomes Tree of Eternal Life--joins heaven and earth. Hand of God present at top, holding a victory wreath--classical symbol of triumph.

 

Christus Patiens--christ visibly suffering, experiencing death.  Remniscent of late Byzantine.

 

Built over the tomb of St. James

 

Compostela, St. Sernin, St. Foy all share similar traits; Romanesque form and a remarkable unified style of architecture and sculptural decoration. It was common for masons to walk the pilgrim roads and influence other sites. 

 

Plan influenced by practical necessity to house relics in impressive shrines, & permit large number of pilgrims access to such relics.  

 

Church was constructed entirely of stone for practical and aesthetic purposes. 

 

 

 Abbey church of St. Foy, Conques, France

 

Romanesque west facade: Flanking towers, emphasized central portal, rounded arches, low decoration except for tympanum.

 

Held the Relic of St. Foy.  Was a major pilgrim center, with the goal of intercession and salvation in the next life.  This was accomodated by the ambulatory and ambulatory chapels.  The Tympanum is a Judgement of Christ depiction, placed over main portal for pilgrims to see as they reached their destination.

 

Has many structural and aesthetic similarities with Toulouse and Santiago.

 

was on a major pilgrimage road, and therefore was most popularly seen by a audience of lay people. 

 

Christ is depicted as a jugde in this image from Revelations.  Heaven is depicted as orderly and populated with pilgrims and apostles, while contrastingly, Hell is chaotic with scenes depicting grotesque torture of sinners.

 

Christ as a Judge was a very pop. image to be placed over portals of pilgrimage centers.  This could be seen as a messege of hope, affirming the faith of the pilgrims and asuring them salvation in the 2nd coming of Jesus.  Also could be seen as a scare tactic--behave on earth, or you will be eaten by a hell beast and your genitals will be turned into shis kababs for demons and such. 

 

Containing relics of St. Foy (skull). Gold covered and Gold head, w/ wood core.  Placed in an ambulatory chapel behind apse, available to pilgrims to come and venerate. 

 

Veneration of relics became very important in the medieval age, and was important in spurring the pilgrimage movement.   Goal was to have the saint intercede on your behalf. 

 

 

Located in Burgendy, built in the 12th cen. Began by abbot Hugh.  Hugh planned Cluny III to rival the churches of St. Peter and St. Paul.

 

To accomodate the large number of monks and altars in the sanctuary, semicircular chapels were placed in the ambulatory. Octagonal towers were built over both crossings and over central bay.

 

3-part nave elevation.  Corinthianesque capitals.  Apse had a representation of Christ in Glory.  The architects built the thinnest possible vault, it was 98 ft tall.

 

The church was the center of spiritual life, cloister was center of domestic life.  The carolingian plan for monestaries was developed and improved upon to form the abbey at Cluny.

  

Cluniacs called for REFORM in monastic Europe. 

Felt that it was thier divine mission to reform-->related to the apostles of the pentacost. 

 

"May this terror frighten those who are bound by wordly error.  It will be true just as the horror of these images indicates."

 

Tympanum over west portal at Autun.  Carved in high relief,but becaue of the elongated and inter-locking figures it looks flat. Christ in judgement, raising the dead?

 

Image of Christ giving the law to St. Peter; other images of martyrdom. Paint was applied to remoistended plaster (fresco secco)

 

(couldn't find much else in terms of meaning and audience)

 

 

 

Moissac was ruled by abbot Durandus--came from Cluny in 1047.

 

Carved in "plaque style"--called this because of its frontality, symmetry and low relief. 

 

Located in an abbey, likely it was intended for a monastic audience.  As a Cluniac, the image of Durandus was probs. meant to convey the idea of monastic Reform.

 

Tympanum of Christ in Majesty; prophet and lions Trumeau; carved archivolts; and narrative in the jambs. 

 

Important pilgrimage center, images seen by pilgrims. 

 

Apocalyptic vision tympanum. Christ surrounded by seraphim and the symbols of the Evangelists.  Adored by the "four and twenty elders" on a sea of glass. A scene straight from Revelations.  Hieratic scale (obviously). 

 

Jeremiah (on one side) and Isaiah (on the other) point literaly and symbolically to the vision.  elongated and expressionistic body.

 

Tympanum and jamb figures meant for pilgrims to see and envoke a vision of a earthly Jerusalem. or a heaven on earth.  It could also have induce fear or hope of the second coming of christ. 

Abbey church of Notre Dame, Fontenay, France c. 1130-1147

 

example of a Burgundian abbey and cistercian architecture. 

 

Church and adjoining cloister were center of the complex.  Buildings were arranged around cloister to accomodate and encourage growth of the community.  

 

Has a typical cistercian church:

rectangular sanctuary and long nave.  No clerestory or gallery, rather it is lit by windows in the west wall, the upper east wall, and in the sanctuary. Pointed barrel vaults.  

 

St. Bernard banned pictoral arts from the churchs and cloisters.  Didn't permit figured pavements, narrative stained glass, elaborate liturgical vessels, and bell towers.  

 

Cistercians dedicated their churches to the Virgin Mary