Romanesque Art

The Romanesque style, which occurred between 1050 and 1200, earned its name because of the Roman features of its architecture. There are, however, many aspects of its art that do not resemble Roman art.

During this time the church served as a unifying force throughout Europe even though there was not a dominant empire as in the Carolingian or Ottonian periods. Feudalism remained the economic system and most people lived in rural areas or small towns.

There were forces that encouraged trade and travel, gradually exposing people to new ideas and remote places, especially pilgrimage and the crusades. Both drew people to distant lands and expanded their world beyond the confines of their village or town. Monasticism was also important as monasteries stood as great centers of learning, transmitting their knowledge beyond the boundaries of their walls.

To accommodate the growth in religion and pilgrimage churches sprang up all over Europe many of which still stand today.