romanesque

Bayeux Tapestry: Form

1) Although called a tapestry, it is really an embroidery. a) A tapestry has its design woven on a loom as part of the fabric, b) while the embroidery's design are sewn onto fabrics with thread 2) 8 colors of dyed wool (2 blue, three greens, a yellow, a buff (flesh), and red) 3) two stitches: a) stem stitching=short overlapping strands of thread that form jagged lines used for 1) contours of figures and buildings, and 2) for showing the interior details such as facial features, body armor, and roof tiles. b) laid-and-couched=which created solid blocks of color. The needle worker first lays down a series of parallel and then a series of cross stitches. Finally the stitcher tacks down the crosshatched threads using couching (knotting), used for clothing, animal bodies, and other solid areas. 4) Natural linen color was used for a) background, b) flesh, c) building walls, and d) other colorless design elements. 5) It is 20 inches high and 230 feet long in a frieze-like pictorial narrative

Bayeux Tapestry: Context

1) Although we think of art and architecture as religious in nature in this period, there were other non-religious art forms. The most important of these from Norman England has a secular historical subject. 2) The Bayeux Tapestry is unique in medieval art. 3) fashioned by Norman or English women in the style of Romanesque manuscript illuminations. 4) Patron was Bishop Odo, the half brother of William, Duke of Normandy (See Function). 5) Some believe it was made at the Norman court, while others believed it was made in Kent, where Odo was earl. 6) The work was donated to the Bayeux Cathedral (from which it takes its name); a) however where it was before that is not sure. 7) The history before the Norman Invasion: a) Edward the Confessor of England died in 1066. b) The Normans believed that Edward had recognized William of Normandy as his rightful heir. c) However, Harold, earl of Wessex, the king's Anglo-Saxon brother-in-law, was crowned although he had sworn an oath of allegiance to William. d) The Normans felt betrayed and went to war, crushing Harold's forces.

Bayeux Tapestry: Function

1) It is a pictorial narrative of a crucial moment in English's history and of the events leading to it. 2) The main part shows the Battle of Hastings in 1066 CE which brought England under the control of the Normans, uniting all of England and much of France under the rule of William the Great, Duke of Normandy, and then King of England. 3) The Tapestry stands apart from all other Romanesque art work because it depicts the full details of an event at little time shortly after they occurred. a) In this sense it is very much like the historical narratives of ancient Roman art. b) Many art historians think it is very much like the scroll-like frieze of the Column of Trajan. 4) It is clear that it was Propaganda for William. a) In that way, it is very similar to the Column of Trajan: 1) it is the conqueror's version of history; 2) both have a national pride; 3) the narrative is not confined to the battlefield success; 4) there are preparations for war a) the cutting down of trees for ship construction, b) the loading of equipment onto vessel, c) the cooking and serving of means). d) In that sense it is the most Roman of the Romanesque works; 5) The story seeks to justify William's action as it is told with an eyewitness account. A) There are scenes that we know from writing are true. b) Moreover the exacting depictions of armor, tools, and costume speak to its truth. b) In other scenes there is an idea that the victory is heavenly sanctioned and a just result of Harold's duplicity of breaking his oath. c) It legitimizes and justifies the Norman conquest of England just Trajan's column does with Trajan's conquest. d) It also shows the Odo's great role as well, although that is a smaller reason. 1) He is clearly labeled (see above) multiple time, and 2) his implicit role as the bishop whose church's relics affect the Norman victory 5) Left: The propaganda found here: a) the Anglo-Saxon are noble and brave foes 1) Notice they do not run, which is historically correct, and 2) organized. The shield wall did not collapse. a) It was a fake retreat that caused the English to break their shield war) 3) Harold, although not shown in this scene, is a heroic figure at first (see Dacian, or the Gauls in Context unit 2), but events overtake him; b) The Normans are big, powerful and brave. Notice they are 1) larger than their horses, and 2) larger than the English; 3) Notice they charge without hesitation. c) The Normans will win. 1) Notice there are no dead Normans on the field; and d) the English when they die are crushed. Notice the poses and the beheaded Norman. e) we see dress that will separate the two armies like Persians' relief. 6) Right: The Propaganda on the right is much: a) The best food and drink show the wealth of the William even when he is fighting; b) the make-shift tables shows that the soldiers think first of war, and then comfort. 1) Notice they did not bring tables or other items of comfort. 2) They use their armor for their food. c) William has a powerful army, and he must be powerful to control them; d) Yet they are fed so William takes good care of them, showing he is 1) great and good military leader, and 2) he will be a great leader for England; e) William understands his place: 1) he knows that God is most important because he allows his brother, a bishop, to lead in the correct situation. 2) He is not arrogant (see above) that he takes over all the time. 3) He knows when he needs to be second—when there is glory and blessing to God; f) yet in the next scene since it is a battle scene, he has taken over because he is a great military leader and a great organizer. 7) The location before the church has been hotly debated: a) Some art historians think it was part of the royal court. b) Some believe that Odo travelled with it from castle to castle. 1) It was then hung as a backdrop at banquets for stories sung by professional performers who could have received their cues from the identifying descriptions that accompany most scenes. 2) If so, it was the best way for Odo (or William) to show his strength and power with portable propaganda. 3) If this is true, it would be throwback to the portable art of the Migration period 8) The location in the church does not point to a function. a) It most likely would not have been placed in the Nave continuously because the story would be a strange choice of story for a Nave, b) although we know that it was shown on walls of the cathedral of the feast of the relics. c) It may have been a thank you by Odo (and William) to God for his victory. d) For the feast day, it remained the people of the powerful patron of the church who made sure they had relics for them to pray to (see above). 9) The piece is easy to read: a) the native clothes; b) large figures; c) simple compositions, and d) the text.

Church of Sainte Foy (Front and Tympaneum): Form

1) Left: a) Local sandstone that has weathered to a golden color 2) Right: a) Stone and paint (survives because of the climate) b) Parts: 1) Tympanum: the prominent semicircular lunettts above the doorway proper (it is as important as pediments on Greco-Roman temples). 2) Voussoirs: wedge shape blocks that together form 3) the archivolts (the continuous molding of the arch, here we have three) of the arch framing the tympanum 4) Lintel: the horizontal beam above the doorway 5) Trumeau: the center post supporting the lintel in the middle of the doorway 6) Jambs: the side posts of the doorway

Church of Sainte Foy (Front and Tympaneum): Context

1) Left: a) See above 2) Right: a) The plain facades of the early Christian church vanished because the fear of icons abated and the need for teaching the illiterate the message of God. b) The churches, therefore, were created into "speaking" facades. 1) stories from the Old and New Testaments and contemporary bishops and abbots. 2) William, abbot of Saint-Theirry, wanted images that could be "read in marble" by all. a) For the literate, there could be inscriptions to underscore the message. b) Art History Concept: it is one of the first mixing of Biblical and Contemporary settings, which will be seen through the Baroque period. 3) The Tympanum (PL: tympana) lunette over the doorway, is the hallmark of the Romanesque churches. a) The increase in Architectural techniques allowed artists to make large stone sculptures for the first time since the Roman period. b) The creation of large stone sculptures marks the Romanesque period as well. 4) The Tympanum, which was made under the period of Abbot Boniface and by a sculptor who had worked on St James (See above), was the first sculptural program that worshipper or pilgrim would see. Here we see the Last Judgment

Church of Sainte-Foy (Inside and Reliquary): Function

1) Left: a) See above for some of the bolded words b) The lantern tower allows light to come to the choir. 1) It allows all to see what is going on, but 2) more importantly, it makes the worshippers face the correct place c) the compound pier and transverse arches allow 1) more weight, 2) but they give a sculptural form to the interior. 3) It creates a rhythm of heavy and light. Heavy on the pier, but light with the empty space of the arch. 4) As the Gothic period used more ribs, we see will heavy and light on the piers themselves because we don't need all the compound piers. 5) It also gives a geometric rhythm as well because they all look the same going down. d) If we look at this picture, we have geometric organization with all the regular features (arches, compound piers, transverse arch, the windows in the lantern tower, and the galleries). e) The quadrant vaulting push the force of the walls out along the arc to outer walls and then other buttresses. 2) Right: a) it shows the devotion to the Saint (Notice the quote in the context. It was most likely that some of these were here other than the gems). b) It is one of the wealthiest ever produced for the remains of a Saint. 1) The wealth was from the various donations of pilgrims and church patrons over many year. 2) Those seeing her must have received the idea that many people could not be wrong. 3) They must have received something from the saint for the many gifts over the centuries. c) The throne is important because she sits ready to be an intercessory to all. 1) She sits near Christ himself so that she could help all who asked. 2) Moreover, although the viewers could not see the Christ, the monks would have told them of it, establishing a parallel between Christ's martyrdom and saint Foy's. 3) The viewers would understand better Christ will do what she asked because she is so similar. d) Not everyone was comfortable with this reliquary because of its appearance as an icon. 1) Bernard of Angers thought "to learned people this [worry] may seem to be full of superstition if not unlawful for it seems as if the rites of the gods of ancient cultures, or that the rites of demons are being observed" 2) But he changed when he saw the interaction of the reliquary statue with the faithful. a) Image is not "consulted as idol that requires sacrifice, but because it commemorates a martyr. Since reverence to her honors God on high, it was despicable of me to compare her statue to statues of Venus or Diana. I am sorry."

Church of Sainte-Foy (Inside and Reliquary): Content

1) Left: a) We are standing in the wider nave with chairs for the worshippers. b) we see the nave arcade c) We have a gallery on the second floor d) Here we have a lantern tower on octagonal squinches (an arch or lintel built over the upper corners of a square space, allowing a circular or polygonal dome or towers) e) we see compound pier (a pier or large column with multiple shafts, pilasters or colonnettes attached to it on one or all sides). f) Attached to this is a transverse arch (not shown), a stone rib that runs under the barrel vault. g) Covering the galleries, we have quadrant vaulting (the arc of which is one quarter of a circle) 2) Right: a) the reliquary for the saint's remains. It is in the form of enthroned statuette of the martyr. b) The head is over sized because it is a reworked ancient Roman parade helmet (mask like helmet worn by soldiers on special ceremonial occasions, which was not part of the regular dress). The crown was added by the monks. What is the technical term of this use of older artwork? c) The rear of the throne has an image of Christ on the cross (viewers could not see that).

Church of Sainte Foy (Front and Tympaneum): Content

1) Left: a) Westworks: Monument, west-facing entrance section of a church. 1) It is the next step from the narthex. 2) The exterior consists of multiple stories between two towers. 3) the interior includes a) an entrance vestibule, b) a chapel, and c) series of galleries overlooking the nave 2) Right: a) Divided into two halves with124 figures inspired from Saint Matthew's Gospel. b) Each section has three registers separated by 1) banners holding engraved inscriptions. c) Each register is divided into compartments based on the limestone slabs (making around 20). 1) Each was sculpted on the ground then assembled in position. d) Jesus is 1) the central figures (Hierarchical in scale) with a) Salvation on the left, b) while the hell is on the right. 2) He pronounced his final words incised in the small banners held by two angels on both sides of the head. a) To the sheep on his left, "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." b) To the right, he said, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" and c) concluding that the ones of the left "will go away from everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 3) he sits on the throne in a Mandorla (an almond-shaped halo, derived from Byzantine art). 4) He sits on the throne, 1) sparkled by stars with five rows of festoons (ribbons) that represent the clouds; 5) The style and physical appearances of Jesus is striking. 1) He has the typical Romanesque elongated face, 2) but he is deeply carved (which is rare in the period). 3) We can see his tunic and coat; 6) surrounded by all his angels, 1) one of which holds an incense-burner, 2 while another the Book of Life wide open. 3) Two angels are executioners fully armed with a flaming sword and a lance. 4) Two angels carry a candelabrum; 5) angels are blowing trumpets in the upper corners. 6) Two are holding the nails and lance blade that were used on the cross behind Christ. e) On the left, we will the elected who move towards Christ under the guidance of Mary, 1) followed by Saint Peter holding the Paradise keys. 2) They are marked with Haloes. 3) non-holy persons behind them including from the history of the local monastery a) Dadon, founder of the abbey, b) followed by abbot (Begon?) who leads c) Emperor Charlemagne the legendary benefactor of the monastery. d) Two others hold 1) a reliquary resting on a precious cloth, 2) another a diptych (books with two panels). 3) They are the items that Charlemagne gave. 4) the resurrection of the bodies happen on the left as angels lift the lids of the coffins, and the dead rise up from their sarcophagus. 5) Sainte Foy appears praying for the souls towards the hand of God, which was used in Early Christian artwork to make sure there were no icons. a) pair of chains released prisoners give as thanksgiving to her for their release 6) On the bottom left is Celestial Jerusalem with its battlement towers, columns, and archways with everyday life objects like oil laps. a) Abraham sits in the center, holding two children (the Holy Innocents). b) He is surrounded by the Wise Virgins with oil lamps, c) the martyrs with their palms leaves, d) the prophets with their scrolls of parchment, and e) the apostles with their books (Gospels). f) There is an angel welcoming and guarding the door. All look stoic. 7) Under Christ is the weighing of the souls a) with archangel Saint Michael being confronted by a mocking devil with defying looks, each one kneeling by the scales. b) One of the devil is trying to get souls by cheating: he is pressing his finger on the scale. 8) Opposite Celestial Jerusalem is a bushy and spiky-haired devil, armed with a club who is forcing the cursed into Hell's Monstrous throat. a) In the center, opposite of Abraham, is Satan himself, surrounded by torturing with his feet on the belly of a condemned lying in the flames. b) There are hideous devils enjoying all the pain and torture. c) Hybris (pride, the first mortal sin) is thrown down by the stroke of a pitch fork. d) adultery as the adulteress with bare chest, neck tied by a rope with her lover behind her waiting for judgment. e) Along with this is a sinner who is flayed alive as two she-devil vixens hold him and devour his skins (One holds, one devours); f) avarice as a miser is hanged high with his purse around neck (could be Judas, who was thought to have hanged himself) g) Slander as small figure with his tongue being dragged. h) There is a devil eating the brain of the suicide with the knife he used still in his throat. 9) A Man is poached by two rabbit-like headed devils. A) A devil bits off the crown of a naked king who points to the elected. b) Bad monks have their place as the bad kings. c) War is presented with battle axes, clubs, and cross-bow. 10) In hell is the inscription Sinners, change your morals for you might face a cruel judgment.

Church of Sainte Foy (Front and Tympaneum): Function

1) Left: a) the Westworks were so large to show the correct path for pilgrims and worshippers. b) It symbolizes the gateway to Paradise which is only gained through the Church of Rome. c) What else do you see? d) The westworks and all the parts above provided the majestic setting for the display of relics. 1) A church chronicler said it the best: the bishop "took down the timber beams of the nave of the church, threatening to fall from sheer old age, and began to build stone vaults of wondrous effect." 2) Right: a) the tympanum marked the passage from the secular world into the sacred world. (See the Toranas of Stupas in Unit 7). b) The simple composition allows that the tympanum is easily readable. 1) For the literate, we see the inscriptions. 2) the colors, blue for heaven and red for hell, helps this readability since it is known that blue is the color of calm peace, and red of torture and blood. 3) As it was the last Judgement, we see a core belief of the church, that is, Jesus as last judge of humans. a) This was to teach those entering that all sins need to be repented or they will go to hell. b) This is typical of the Romanesque period, which emphasized Jesus as last judge. c) The story is filled with human interest and anecdotal narrative detail so that the viewer can easily project themselves into what is going on. 1) Remember we have non-haloed ordinary people who are like the viewers themselves or the oil lamps. 2) It also reminded them of the reasons that they made their long and arduous journey. 3) Notice there is a group of people moving to Christ. 4) Sainte Foy, the patron saint of the church, will help all who come in and pray to her. 5) She will be an intercessory (go-between) and pray to God for all (An important concept in Roman Catholicism is that saints can help those by praying). 6) Also it was a powerful message. a) Charlemagne needed to give presents to repent for his sins, like those who are coming need to make donations for the same reason, although the church would not want chains like prisoners'. 7) Finally, the saved will leave their coffins to go to heaven. D) Celestial Jerusalem (Heaven) has an order and serenity to it, which the faithful will get. 1) Remember in this period the life of the average person was very harsh and dour. 2) Here it is calm, safe, and full of helpful people. 3) The Angel at the door will protect those who are elected. e) The sculptures are to inspire fear so that all who viewed it needed to examine the way they were leading their own lives. 1) They needed to enter the church to participate in the community of the Church to reach salvation or the horrors on the door will become a reality. 2) Remember the devil who cheats and look scary. 3) The torture, Satan, the sinner in fire, and the happy devils all add to this. 4) Notice that heaven is ordered, while Hell is chaotic. f) There is an inversion in hell. 1) The hunter becomes the hunted, 2) the kings are all thrown down. 3) This would give hope to the people whose life was so terrible. g) Jesus being hierarchal in scale and central draws all the attention of the viewers, which shows that he is the center and most important element in the Last Judgment. 1) His words are for the elected and for the damned to show the viewers the results of a good and bad life. 2) The literate could have read the inscriptions, 3) but Jesus's pose would have spoken volumes to the illiterate. a) His right hand is raised in welcoming, b) while the left one is lowered pointing to Hell and the cursed, which he himself, had judged as such. 4) He is the great conductor, directing a great show which because it is in stone is eternal (like Egyptian art). 5) He is the king of heaven here sitting in majesty in heaven as a stern judge. 6) Yet his clothes help reveal the wound caused by the spear which would have been painted, showing the love he had for mankind. 7) In one image, we have love and dislike. h) All the angels add to the pomp of the scenes: 1) the executioners fulfill their given mission of containing the condemned; 2) the incense-burner adds to the ceremony as it adds the mystic atmosphere in church. 3) The one holding the Book of Life is holding the item that all need to be in, 4) while the two angels carry a candelabrum ("the sun will become dark, and the moon will no longer shine"). 5) The trumpeters bring the coming of Christ which all Christians await. 6) The sacrifice of Christ is seen in the cross and the nail and lance blade held by the angels. i) the separate sections allowed the scenes not to be divided by joints of the stone, perhaps showing the uniformity and eternality of God's word. j) the lack of artist name is important to the culture. 1) It was done for the glory of God and the salvation of the viewers not for personal recognition. 2) Notice that we have not learned any artist names since the Greek period. k) The style is very Romanesque. 1) Since it is at the beginning of monumental sculpture, the style is a) very non-naturalistic b) while emphasizing the ideas and symbols. c) Remember it is to teach not to look good. 2) The figures for the most parts (there are some exceptions like Jesus) are a) full of energy, b) flat, c) stylized, and d) non-individualistic (they have the typical Masklike features of Romanesque heads) e) in a non-3d space. f) Their drapery is 1) flat, 2) anti-naturalistic (type 1) and 3) not life-like (In other words they don't look like typical period clothes) (See below). g) The figures are not conceived as 3d volumes, but as reliefs (See Chartres below) because they really do not project from the stone. h) They are bent in poses that are 1) not natural 2) but fit the roundness of the arch. 3) Therefore it was done for functional reasons not artistic reasons. i) This, was to parallel the flat, calligraphic lines of illuminated manuscripts. 3) The paint definitely would intensify the spiritual effect by heightening the visual. 4) Within 500 years, there will be great naturalism (See Gothic and Renaissance) L) Notice the Roman-like relief appearance. 1) We have on the bottom rounded arches (Roman) in an arcade that goes up in a triangle. 2) This is very much like some of the Roman Sarcophagi. 3) in fact much of it looks like a Roman relief where the naturalism is suppressed (see the Battle sarcophagus of the Ludivosi). Traits?

Church of Sainte-Foy (Inside and Reliquary): Form

1) Left: see above 2) Right: gold; silver, gemstones, and enamel over wood

Church of Sainte-Foy (Inside and Reliquary): Context

1) left: see above 2) Right: a) Although the cult of relics was not new, the 11th and 12th centuries were the high spot of this type of worship (See African Art, Context Unit 6, for other cult of relics). 1) The faithful must take dangerous pilgrimages to see the relics. 2) This high spot is seen in the Song of Roland (11th c. poem) which states: "AH Durendal, fair, hallowed, and devote, what stores of relics lie in thy hilt of gold! St Peter's tooth, St. Basil's blood." 3) In fact the guide books would make sure that the pilgrims knew the relics were true. a) The most famous one (a Pilgrim's Guide to Santiago de Compostela, states without doubt that the entire body of St. James was there 'lit with paradisiacal stones, honored with immaculate and soft perfumes, decorated with dazzling celestial candles and worshipped by attentive angels" b) Sainte Foy was an early 4th c. child martyr, who refused to pay honor to the Roman gods. c) A monk from the abbey church of Conques stole the saint's skull from a nearby abbey of Agen around 880 CE. The monks called it a furta sacra (holy theft), claiming saint foy order the theft.

Bayeux Tapestry: Content

1) the border contain kinds of real and imaginary animals found in Romanesque manuscripts 2) Latin inscription accompanies many of the pictures 3) Left: a) We see the Anglo-Saxons are rooted in their spots in their typical shield wall configuration, b) while the Norman horses are charging. c) There are dead in the color of the Anglo-Saxons on the ground 4) Right: a) Odo and William are feasting on the right. b) A horn player caused men to gather at a curved table laden with the best food and drink. c) Bishop Odo is seated in the center, head and shoulders above William, and blesses the food. d) The servant on the other side kneels so that the men can wash their hands. e) A man points to the next scene (non-shown) which is the council of war between William (who is now the tallest and central), Odo, and Rotbert (another half-brother) f) Attendants bring in skewers of birds to a makeshift table made from the knight's shields set on trestles on the left. g) Inscription: and here the servants perform their duty Here they prepare the meal. And here the bishop blesses the food and drink. Bishop Odo, William, Robert.