39 Chapter 10.3: Romanesque Sculpture

ROMANESQUE SCULPTURE

Along with the revival of stone architecture and Roman architectural features one of the most significant developments in the Romanesque period was large-scale sculpture. Stone relief sculpture adorned Church portals and column capitals. The images decorating churches and cloisters functioned as texts for the illiterate teaching them stories from the Bible or legend in visual form. While most saw the value in the didactic power of images, theologians such as Bernard of Clairvaux worried about it being a distraction.

PORTAL SCULPTURE

Large scale sculpture frequently decorated the entrance or portal to churches. This location was strategic as it confronted everyone who entered the church. The imagery on the portal reminded viewers of the importance of living a good life and striving for salvation. Because of a sculpted portal’s power to speak to its audience it was referred to as a “speaking façade.” Portals without sculpture were described as mute. Portals were much more elaborate than a typical doorway, the different parts and their decoration formed large programs that could have different layers of meaning.

Romanesque Portal TASK:

After reading the video below please answer the accompanying questions.

Romanesque Portals 

Romanesque Portal TASK prompts:

What are the parts of the Romanesque portal?

For the portals portrayed describe the subject and/or meaning.

Sainte Foy

Moissac

Vézelay portal TASK:

The two videos below both discuss the famous narthex sculpture at the Church of Mary Magdalene in Vézelay. The videos explain how the portals imagery was intimately connected with that specific location. It also provides insight into how Europeans from the period perceived others from distant lands. After watching the following videos, please answer the accompanying questions.

Vézelay Abbey’s portal: the mysterious Crusades door

Pentecost and Mission to the Apostles Tympanum

Vézelay portal TASK prompts:

What were the crusades and how were they connected to Vézelay?

Which scenes are in the tympanum and lintel?

How is the imagery in both the tympanum and lintel connected to the crusades?

How do the images in the voussoir compartments support the crusades?

Moissac Portal Task

After watching the video, please answer the accompanying questions.

Saine-Pierre, Moissac, France 

Moissac Portal Task prompts:

According to Saint Bernard, where was imagery suitable and not suitable?

How did art act like a billboard or marketing tool?

What are the stylistic qualities of Romanesque art? Consider the figural style, placement, and scale.

Describe the meaning of the different images.

Autun Portal TASK:

The Last Judgment was a terrifying prospect for medieval minds and the rendering of this scene on the church of Saint Lazare was particularly vivid. After watching the video, please answer the accompanying questions.

Last Judgment Tympanum, Cathedral of Sainte Lazare, Autun

Autun Portal TASK prompts:

When was large-scale sculpture revived in Europe?

Where was it most frequently located on churches?

What was the connection between churches, relics, and reliquaries?

Why are the sculptures referred to as a sermon in stone?

How is this reinforced in the inscription?

What are the distinctive elements of this rendition of the Last Judgment?