Christian Art, Architecture and Music

Groin vault

A vault produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel (tunnel) vaults. Sometimes the arches of groin vaults may be pointed instead of round.

Apse

A vaulted extension or projection, usually from a choir or chapel and generally circular or polygonal in shape.

Jamb

A vertical element of a doorway or window frame.

Pilaster

This is a rectangular element of vertical masonry which projects only slightly from the wall and has both a capital and a base

Renaissance

(from the French for "rebirth"), this was a cultural movement that spanned between 1400 and 1600, beginning in Italy and later spreading to the rest of Europe. It encompassed the revival of learning based on classical sources, the rise of courtly and papal patronage, the development of perspective in painting, and advancements in science. It had wide-ranging consequences in all intellectual pursuits, but is best known for its artistic aspect and the contributions of such personalities as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Corinthian capital

A capital used originally by the Greeks in a system of supports called the Corinthian order. The Corinthian capital was developed further in Roman times and used often in the medieval period, again, without strict adherence to the rest of the system. It is decorated with 3 superimposed rows of carved foliage (acanthus leaves) around the capital. At the comers of the capital there are small volutes.

Ionic capital

A capital used originally by the Greeks in a system of supports called the Ionic order. In the medieval period, the capital was often used without a strict adherence to the rest of the system. An Ionic capital has a volute, or a spiral scroll-like carving, on each side as its major decoration. Ionic capitals are relatively rare in medieval buildings.

Rose window

A circular window composed of patterned tracery arranged in petal-like formation

Latin cross

A cross with three short arms and one long arm.

Arch

A curved structural member spanning an opening or recess. The wedge shaped elements that construct this feature keep one another in place and transform the vertical pressure of the structure above into lateral pressure.

Drum

A cylindrical wall which supports a dome

Mosaic

A decoration created by setting small pieces of glass, stone, or marble in a matrix - often concrete. Walls of these were most prevalent in the Early Christian and Byzantine periods, during which they were a very important form of wall decoration.

Lintel

A flat horizontal beam which spans the space between two supports.

Flying buttress

A free-standing buttress attached to the main vessel (nave, choir, or transept wall) by an arch or half-arch which transmits the thrust of the vault to the buttress attached to the outer wall of the aisle

Dome

A hemispherical vault.

Processional cross

A large cross on a staff, carried in processions on feast days or various church holidays.

Narthex

A low projection at the western end of a church, like a porch. Although narthex is sometimes used synonymously with westwork, a narthex is usually more open and often has only one storey in contrast to the more closed westwork with a large open chamber on the upper level.

Grotesque

A marginal figure or animal, or hybrid combination of human and animal or plant, frequent especially in Gothic manuscript illumination and especially in marginal illumination.

Rib vault

A masonry vault with a relatively thin web and set within a framework of ribs.

Battlement or crenellation

A parapet with alternating openings (embrasures) and raised sections (merlons), used here on castle towers for defence purposes

Pinnacle

A pointed termination of a spire, buttress, or other extremity of a building. Pinnacles are sometimes ornamented.

Bema

A raised platform in front of the apse of a basilica, and running the length of the transept, upon which the altar was positioned.

Baptismal font

A receptacle for water, used for baptism.

Font

A receptacle for water, used for baptism.

Niche

A recess in the thickness of a wall.

Transept

A rectangular area which cuts across the main axis of a basilica-type building and projects beyond it. This gives a basilica the shape of a Latin cross and usually serves to separate the main area of the building from an apse at the end.

Colonnade

A row of columns which support horizontal members, called an architrave, rather than arches.

Choir screen

A screen, made of wood or stone, usually decorated with painting or sculpture, which separates the choir from the rest of the church.

Ambulatory

A semicircular or polygonal aisle. It usually leads around the east end of the choir; separating the choir from apses or chapels.

Arcade

A series of arches supported by columns or piers

Lancet

A slender, pointed window.

Lantern

A small circular or polygonal structure, with windows all around the base, which opens above a larger tower or dome, often built over the crossing of a church.

Orant (orans) figure

A standing figure with both arms raised. This was a gesture of prayer in the early Christian period.

Mausoleum

A stately structure erected as tomb for a person of distinction.

Sarcophagus

A stone coffin, often bearing sculpture, inscriptions, etc.

Pediment

A triangular space above a window or entrance. Originally the triangular space was formed by the end of a gable roof and later was used decoratively.

Bay

A unit of interior space in a building, marked off by architectural divisions.

Contrapposto

An Italian term most commonly used in the visual arts to describe a human figure standing so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs. This gives the figure a more relaxed and less stiff appearance. It can also encompass the tension as a figure changes from resting on a given leg to walking or running upon it.

Mandorla / Last Judgment

An almond-shaped or oval disc in which the figure of Christ sits in a tympanum.

Squinch

An arch built diagonally across the corner of a square to support an octagonal or circular dome.

Rib

An arch of masonry, often moulded, which forms part of the framework on which a vault rests. They generally project from the under surface of the vault.

Trompe-l'œil

An art technique involving extremely realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects really exist, instead of being mere, two-dimensional paintings. The name is derived from French for "trick the eye", from tromper (to deceive) and l'œil (the eye).

Spire

An elongated, pointed structure which rises from a tower, turret, or roof

Westwork (from German Westwerk)

An entrance area at the west end of a church with upper chamber and usually with a tower or towers. It is normally broader than the width of the nave and aisles. Westwork is sometimes used synonymously with narthex.

Inhabited initial

An illuminated initial containing animals or human figures such as naked fighters.

Atrium

An open courtyard at the entrance of a church, usually surrounded by covered aisles. The atrium of the Early Christian church was originally a place for the catechumens to wait during the celebration of the Eucharist.

Finial

An ornament at the tip of a pinnacle, spire or other tapering vertical architectural element

Quatrefoil

An ornamental form which has four lobes or foils. It may resemble a fourpetaled flower.

Trefoil

An ornamental form which has three lobes or foils.

Crypt

An underground chamber for relics or tombs, and sometimes used as a chapel.

Clerestory

An upper storey of a building with windows above adjacent roofs.

Gallery or tribune

An upper storey over the aisle which opens onto the nave or choir. It corresponds in length and width to the dimensions of the aisle below it.

Pier

An upright support, generally square, rectangular, or composite. In medieval architecture there are massive circular supports called drum piers.

Portal

Any doorway or entrance but especially one that is large and imposing.

Crossing

Area of a church where the nave, choir, and transept intersect.

Medieval Architecture

Between 373 and 500, European architecture moved from the rectangular basilica forms to the classically inspired Byzantine style. Heavier, stocky Romanesque architecture, with rounded arches and other Roman features, became popular between 700 and 1200.

Plainchant

Broadly speaking, this is the name given to the body of traditional songs used in the liturgies of the Roman Catholic Church. With its single unaccompanied vocal melody is one of the principal examples of monophony. Sung by multiple voices in unison (i.e. the same pitch and rhythm), this music is still considered monophonic. It was the first and foremost musical style of Italy, Ireland, Spain, and France.

Baldachin

From the Italian baldacchino or baldachino. This is a canopy of state over an altar or throne. It had its beginnings as a cloth canopy, but in other cases it is a sturdy, permanent architectural feature, particularly over high altars in cathedrals.

Chiaroscuro

From the Italian for "clear-dark", chiaroscuro is defined as a bold contrast between light and dark.

Floor plan or ground plan

Horizontal cross-section of a building as the building would look at ground level. A ground plan shows the basic outlined shape of a building and, usually, the outlines of other interior and exterior features

Illuminated initial

In manuscript illumination, a highly ornamented letter, usually the first letter of a word.

Monophony

In music, monophony is the simplest of textures, consisting of melody without accompanying harmony.

Polyphony

In music, this is a texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony)

Altar

In the Roman Church, a table at which the celebration of the Eucharist takes place. It is placed in the most prominent place in the church, usually at the east end, in the choir or sanctuary, facing the main entrance to the church

Baroque

In the arts, this is a period as well as the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music. The style started around 1600 in Italy and spread to most of Europe. The popularity and success of the this period was encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church which had decided at the time of the Council of Trent that the arts should communicate religious themes in direct and emotional involvement

Campanile

Italian name for a bell tower, usually one that is detached from the main building.

Drum pier

Massive circular support.

Cloister

Part of a monastery; a quadrangle surrounded by covered passages. It connects the domestic parts of the monastery with the church. Usually located on the south side of the church

East end

Refers to the end of the church where the main altar is placed and where the main part of the service takes place. Generally, medieval churches were oriented toward the east. However, topography of the land or other factors may have prevented an absolute east- west orientation for a church. The term east end, is generally used to describe the area where the main altar is placed in a medieval church, even in those cases where the church is not oriented exactly toward the east.

Fluting

Shallow, concave grooves running vertically on a column, pilaster, or other surface.

Jamb figures

Statues carved on the jambs of a doorway or window. Jamb statues were often human figures - either religious figures or secular or ecclesiastical leaders.

Catacomb

Subterranean burial chamber used during the Roman Empire. They were used for burial, not only by Christians, but they are usually associated with Christianity because the Christians held services in the catacombs while they were still persecuted by the Romans (First to early fourth centuries A.D., though the persecution was not always severe at all times during this period). Some of them are decorated with Christian symbols and paintings.

Ambo or Pulpit

Table of the Word or lectern. A raised stand from where the Word is proclaimed.

Choir

The area of the church between a transept and main apse. It is the area where the service is sung and clergy may stand, and the main or high altar is located. .

West end

The area of the church opposite the east end. The west end usually functions as the main entrance to the church.

Cathedra

The bishop's seat (from the Latin for "chair") in the cathedral and a symbol of his teaching authority in the Church.

Nave

The central longitudinal space of a basilican church. It is usually flanked on its long sides by aisles which are separated from the nave by columns or piers. In many churches, the lay congregation stand in the nave to attend religious services.

Capital

The decorative element that separates a column or pier from the masonry which it supports.

Triforium

The earliest examples are those in the pagan basilicas, where it constituted an upper galley for conversation and business; in the early Christian basilicas it was usually reserved for women. In Romanesque and Gothic buildings it is either a spacious gallery over the side aisles or a simple passage in the thickness of the walls.

Span (of an arch or vault)

The horizontal distance between the two supporting members of an arch or vault.

Tympanum (plural, tympana)

The semicircular area enclosed by the arch above the lintel of an arched entranceway. This area is often decorated with sculpture in the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

barrel vault

The simplest form of a vault, consisting of a continuous surface of semicircular or pointed sections. It resembles a barrel or tunnel which has been cut in half lengthwise.

Shaft

The structural member which serves as the main support of a column or pier.

Iconography

The subject matter of art, the subjects represented in painting and sculpture

Crossing tower

The tower which sometimes occurs above the space at the intersection of the nave, chancel, and transept of a church.

Mullion

The vertical element that separates the lancets of a window.

Basilica

This Latin word was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located at the centre of a Roman town. After the Roman Empire became officially Christian, the term came by extension to refer to a large and important church that has been given special ceremonial rites by the pope. Thus, the word retains two senses today, one architectural and the other ecclesiastical.

Icon

This comes from Greek eikon, "image") and is an image, picture, or representation; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it. In Eastern Christianity it is generally a flat panel painting depicting a holy being or object such as Jesus Christ, Mary, saints, angels, or the cross. They may also be cast in metal, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth, done in mosaic work, printed on paper or metal, etc.

Gregorian chant

This is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the Roman Catholic Church. It developed mainly in the Frankish lands of western and central Europe during the ninth and tenth centuries, with later additions and redactions. Popular legend credits Gregory the Great with inventing it.

Romanesque

This is the term that is used to describe a style of architecture that developed in Europe between 500 and 1200. It is characterised by its massive quality, its thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, large towers and decorative arcading

Elevation

This refers to the appearance of the side walls of a nave. These can be two-storied (the pilgrimage churches), three-storied (mature Romanesque) or four-storied (Gothic).

Gothic

This style of architecture flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. Originating in twelfth century France and lasting into the sixteenth century, it was characterised by features including the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress. This architecture is most familiar as the architecture of many of the great cathedrals and abbeys of Europe

Fresco

This word comes from the Italian word affresco which derives from the adjective fresco ("fresh"), which has Germanic origins. Paintings in this style can be done in two ways: Buon fresco paintings are done on wet plaster, while a secco paintings are completed on dried plaster. The former is usually the more authentic form.

Stained glass

Windows made of coloured glass pieces held together with channeled lead strips soldered together, the whole installed in a bracing framework of iron. These windows are usually read from bottom to top.