Art in Focus

Chapter 14: Early Medieval and Romanesque Art

Lesson Summaries-English

          After the Western Roman Empire crumbled, western Europe struggled through a period of change. This period, from about A.D. 500 to 1500, is known as the Middle Ages, or the Medieval period.

Lesson 1
The Early Medieval Period

          The period known as the Middle Ages was a splendid time for bookmaking, architecture, and sculpture. It is called the Age of Faith, since people were fixed on preparation for life after death, and the Church was all-powerful. The Middle Ages can be divided into three periods, the Early Medieval, the Romanesque, and the Gothic. The Carolingian dynasty emerged during the Early Medieval period, after a time of conflict. In the year 800 King Charlemagne was crowned by the pope and became the first Holy Roman Emperor. He established law and order and encouraged the arts.

          After his death in 814, western Europe reverted to disorder. A system known as feudalism arose, in which weak noblemen gave their lands and freedom to more powerful lords in return for protection. Most people, however, were serfs, poor peasants obligated to work the lands of the noblemen. In architecture, church builders continued to use the design of the basilica but they added transepts, side aisles that cut across the nave, giving each church the form of a cross. Many people devoted their lives to religion, living in remote communities known as monasteries. These monasteries had open courts known as cloisters that provided monks a place for contemplation and prayer. Monks worked at copying books by hand and creating brilliant illuminations, or manuscript paintings, in the books. These illustrations, as well as carvings and reliefs, were meant to teach and inspire the people in their faith.

Lesson 2
The Romanesque Period

          After the Early Medieval period, a new artistic style known as the Romanesque emerged. Seen mainly in church architecture, the Romanesque lasted until the middle of the twelfth century.
          Constant disputes over land under the feudal system caused nobles to build fortified castles. When in the thirteenth century trade and industry grew, cities were built with stone barricades around them. At the center of each town was a richly decorated stone church. Churches were also built at pilgrimage destinations, where people would journey to visit the sacred remains of a saint. Architects continued to build using a nave and a transept, often adding side aisles and an ambulatory, an aisle curving around behind the main altar. Romanesque churches appear large and solid from the outside and the small windows make the interiors dark and solemn.

          Many churches used relief sculptures to teach the faith to the people. While the sculptures depict many biblical figures, fantastic half-human and half-animal creatures also lurk among the carvings. The capitals of columns are carved with quaint stories that are humorous but also have Christian meanings. Large paintings decorated the inside walls of churches. Artists drew on Byzantine themes and used the style of manuscript illuminations, which continued to be an important art form. All of Romanesque painting presents easy-to-read messages with flat, colorful shapes and bold lines.