Romanesque architecture: The start of the Gothic

September 28, 2023

Throughout history a variety of distinct building styles have emerged, treating structures as more than just shelters. This is most evident with elaborate styles, showing how buildings are indeed works of art. For this discussion two similar styles will be examined as testaments to this principle. One such style is that of Gothic architecture shown by Notre Dame, and the lesser-known style of Romanesque represented by Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. While the chosen structures are merely entrances, it is important to note their corresponding styles impact the entire build, serving as portals to the structure. Furthermore, the very nature of the building is one to consider, as both hold a different sentiment than a residential structure due to their status as churches.

            The term Romanesque has a name telling of the style’s origin, a way of building that took heavy inspiration from preexisting Roman styles; specifically, that of Christian Rome.[1] While Roman architecture is the main influence, notable influence is also found within the Insular style and within art of Byzantium.[2] Romanesque stylization utilized geometric shapes to create decorative patterns, relying additionally on sculptural forms. Two specific forms saw an emergence at this time, becoming integral to the identity of churches in this style. These forms are the tympanum, a semicircular space above the entry, and the historiated capital, found within the tympanum depicting a biblical narrative.[3] A common scene depicted in such a space was that of the The Last Judgement, serving as a reminder to entrants what is to befall the righteous, and the grizzly fate of the sinful.[4] While it is unclear what exactly is depicted in the tympanum of Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, this scene looks to be one other than The Last Judgement.

 While many decorative aspects are present within Romanesque structures, apparent limitations emerge due to the material of stone. One such is that windows were required to be small and few, as proven by collapses from those that attempted the installation of large ones.[5] Additionally, the staple circular arch known as barrel vaulting was one without optional alterations at this time, due to the weight of the stone. In addition to bulky columns, building materials resulted in churches having wooden roofs, a technique that avoided the issue of outward stresses causing side walls to give into such a heavy load.[6]

Gothic architecture is most known for its elaborate intricacies, having ornate ornamentation as well as dramatic instances of vaulting.[7] Such detail-oriented construction resulted in most surfaces having some decorative feature to them, adding to the extravagant appearance of these churches. Such an aspect was only furthered by the great size of these buildings, having with them large windows supported by recently developed groin vaults, concentrating weight to four corners.[8] Fully rounded windows were common in addition to those of a large size, having patterns to them with the use of plate or bar tracery.[9]  While these are of similar technique, they provide distinctly different looks, Notre Dame showing an instance of plate tracery.

Entryways to these spaces prominently featured pointed arches with ribbing that aided in weight distribution.[10] Similarly to the historical capitals of Romanesque constructions, sculptural works were found above the doors, depicting a narrative of sorts. Interestingly, an additional aspect is present as below this tympanum a decorative lintel is placed, archivolts also seeing this sculptural treatment. These archivolts are what frame this tympanum, the lintel serving as a crossbeam of stone, supported by the colonettes below.[11] Interestingly, these colonettes can be seen with attached figures, but such is not always the case.

The Romanesque style is a precursor to that of the Gothic style and has a lasting effect on Gothic works as a result. While there are aspects that remain, many change with the advancement of building techniques, giving way to bigger and bolder projects.

While Romanesque structures saw limitations that prevented such elaborate constructions, Gothic architecture built onto the foundations laid by this style, allowing for greater feats of construction. It is because of the Romanesque style that the Gothic is possible, and because of the made advancements, artists were able to act on the ideas that previously had been too bold for the realm of possibility. Gothic architecture can be seen as a more extravagant, technically advanced version of its humble precursor the Romanesque, a solid framework and a strong style of it’s own.

(Fig. 1) Larson, Gerald. Notre Dame. 1163-1345. Artstor. https://library.artstor.org/#/asset/28029424;prevRouteTS=1695939808883. 

(Fig 2.) Goodhue, Bertram Grosvenor. Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. 1916-1930. Artstor. https://library.artstor.org/#/asset/SS7732236_7732236_12896307;prevRouteTS=1695939750685.

[1] Spanswick, Valerie. A beginner’s guide to Romanesque architecture. 2015. Smarthistory. https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-romanesque-architecture/.

[2] Chapuis, Julien. Romanesque Art. 2002. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/rmsq/hd_rmsq.htm.

[3] Dr. Petzol, Andreas. A beginner’s guide to Romanesque art. 2015. Smarthistory. https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-romanesque-art/.

[4] Holcomb, Melanie. Medieval European Sculpture for Buildings. 2001. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/arch/hd_arch.htm.

[5] Bolli, Christine M. Pilgrimage routes and the cult of the relic. 2015. Smarthistory. https://smarthistory.org/pilgrimage-routes-and-the-cult-of-the-relic/.

[6] Spanswick, 3.

[7] Spanswick, Valerie. Gothic architecture, an introduction. 2015. Smarthistory. https://smarthistory.org/gothic-architecture-an-introduction/.

[8] Bolli, 3.

[9] Smarthistory. Chartres Cathedral. 2017. 3:10. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3VsinLgvc.

[10] Chapuis, Julien. Gothic Art. 2002. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgot/hd_mgot.htm.

[11] Smarthistory. Chartres Cathedral. 2017. 3:38. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk3VsinLgvc.