Arte Românica: Arquitetura, Escultura e Pintura

Romanesque art is an artistic style that emerged in Europe during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. It is characterized by its religious themes, architectural structures, and the use of sculpture and painting. This style was the first international art movement since antiquity and was influenced by ancient Roman art, as well as Byzantine, Insular, and Ottonian styles.

Architecture

Romanesque architecture was marked by the use of rounded arches, massive walls, piers, and barrel and rib vaults. The structures often had a fortress-like appearance due to their weighty stone construction. The Roman Church was the primary patron of this style, and as a result, Romanesque architecture spread across Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia. Architects during the Romanesque period developed the ribbed vault, which allowed for lighter and higher vaults, allowing for more windows on the upper level of structures. This innovation was further developed and utilized during the subsequent Gothic period.

Sculpture

Sculpture from the Romanesque period saw advances in metalwork, enamels, and figurative friezes integrated into architecture. Some of the most notable surviving sculptures from this period are life-size wooden crucifixes, which were set up on a beam below the chancel arch and flanked by figures of the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, figurative sculpture was revived as architectural reliefs became a hallmark of the late Romanesque period. These sculptures were influenced by manuscript illumination and small-scale sculpture in ivory and metal. Extensive friezes sculpted on Armenian and Syriac churches were another likely influence.

Painting

Romanesque painting is characterized by its religious imagery. Wall-paintings often followed the curvature of the church, such as the apse wall-painting from the church of Sant Climent in Catalonia. The most important art form to emerge during this period was architectural sculpture, which was used to decorate churches. Many sculptors may have begun their career as stone masons, and there is a remarkable coherence between architecture and sculpture in churches at this period.

Religious Themes

Romanesque art is predominantly religious in its imagery, with themes such as the life of Christ, Old Testament depictions of his Death and Resurrection, and scenes of Creation and the Fall of Man. Many Nativity scenes occur, most frequently the Three Kings. Some Romanesque churches feature an extensive sculptural scheme which covers the area surrounding the portal and sometimes extends inside the church.

Influences

The Romanesque style was influenced by ancient Roman art, especially sculpture, which survived in large quantities, particularly in southern Europe. This can be seen in the deep undercutting in the drapery folds, an effect achieved by the Roman device of the drill. Byzantine art, especially textiles and earlier medieval styles that had absorbed elements of the classical tradition, also had a significant impact on Romanesque art.

Arte Gótica

Romanesque art was a precursor to the Gothic style, and both styles share some characteristics, such as the use of pointed arches for vaulting and the focus on naturalistic representation. However, the Gothic style introduced new elements, such as the pointed arch, flying buttresses, and large stained glass windows, which resulted in lighter and more airy structures.

Teatro da Idade Média

The Romanesque period saw the revival of theatre in the Middle Ages. Plays were performed in religious contexts, such as religious festivals or as part of a sermon. These plays often had a moral or didactic purpose and were performed by monks or other religious figures.

Teatro Elizabetano

The Romanesque period laid the groundwork for the Elizabethan theatre. The focus on naturalistic representation and the use of a wide range of characters in Romanesque art and sculpture influenced the development of theatre in the Elizabethan era.

Renascimento

While an immediate precursor to the Gothic style, the Romanesque would see revivals in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Architects came to appreciate the clarity and formidable nature of the Romanesque façade when applied to various structures, from department stores to university buildings.

In conclusion, Romanesque art was a transformative period in European art and architecture, characterized by its religious themes, architectural structures, and the use of sculpture and painting. It was influenced by various styles and traditions and laid the foundation for later artistic movements, such as the Gothic and Elizabethan styles.