Art History - Chapter 16 (Romanesque Art)

Archivolt

A band of molding framing an arch, or a series of stone blocks that form an arch resting directly on flanking columns or piers.

Campanile

A bell tower of a church, usually, but not always, freestanding.

Baldachin

A canopy (whether suspended from the ceiling, projecting from a wall, or supported by columns) placed over an honorific or sacred space such as a throne or church altar.

Historiated capital

A capital (sculpted block that tops a column) displaying a figural composition and/or narrative scenes.

Pilgrimage church

A church that attracts visitors wishing to venerate relics as well as attend religious services.

Trumeau

A column, pier, or post found at the center of a large portal or doorway, supporting the lintel.

Ribbed groin vault

A groin vault with ribs (extra masonry) demarcating the junctions. Ribs may function to reinforce the groins or may be purely decorative.

Lantern

A turretlike structure situated on a roof, vault, or dome, with windows that allow light into the space below.

Transverse arch

An arch that connects the wall piers on both sides of an interior space, up and over a stone vault. Used to strengthen the exterior walls, and to enrich their sculptural presence.

Throne of Wisdom

An image of the Virgin Mary seated on a throne with the Christ Child in her lap.

Spolia

Fragments of older architecture or sculpture reused in a secondary context. Latin for "hide stripped from an animal."

Hieratic

Highly stylized, severe, and detached, often in relation to a strict religious tradition.

Jamb

In architecture, the vertical element found on both sides of an opening in a wall, and supporting an arch or lintel. Can be multiple structures on each side of the opening.

Tympanum

In medieval and later architecture, the area over a door enclosed by an arch and a lintel, often decorated with sculpture or mosaic.

Radiating chapel

In medieval churches, a chapel for the display of relics that opened directly onto the ambulatory and the transept.

Mandorla

Light encircling, or emanating from, the entire figure of a sacred person.

Keep

The innermost and strongest structure or central tower of a medieval castle, sometimes used as living quarters, as well as for defense. Also called a donjon.

Relic

Venerated object or body part associated with a holy figure, such as a saint, and usually housed in a reliquary.