ART 1A Study Guide - Midterm Guide: The Rejected, Reims Cathedral, Contrapposto
Discussion Forums for the Final Exam
Art 1A Fall 2016
Romanesque Background Questions (Romanesque = 1050-1200)
What does the term Romanesque mean? When was the term created?
-It is a name taken from an artistic style. It means “Roman-like”. The term was created in the
19th century to describe European architecture of the 11th and 12th century
What architectural elements are used in architecture of this type?
-barrel and groin vaults based on the round arch
What was the role of pilgrimage during the Romanesque period?
-pilgrims were important sources of funding for the monasteries that possessed the relics of
venerated saints
What was the most venerated shrine in Western Europe? Whose relics did it contain?
-the tomb of Saint James at Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain
What was the purpose of a shell to pilgrims visiting the shrine of St. James at Santiago de
Compostela?
-Saint James was the symbol of Christian resistance to Muslim expansion in western Europe.
Sculpture
The Creation and Fall of Adam and Eva, by Wiligelmo at the Cathedral of Modena
What is a mandorla?
-“An almond shaped nimbus surrounding the figure of Christ or other sacred figure”
What was the most likely inspiration for Wiligelmo’s sculptural style?
-Roman and Early Christian sarcophagi
What is distinctive contribution did Wiligelmo contribute to the development of Romanesque
sculpture?
-??
Old Testament Prophet (Jeremiah or Isaiah) Priory Church of Saint-Pierre, Moissac
What is the rough date of this sculpture?
-1115 - 1130
What is the source the scalloped form of the trumeau derive from?
-Spanish Islamic architecture
What do the six lions symbolize?
-Kings/barons
Describe the key iconographic and aesthetic elements of this style?
-the prophet is probably Jeremiah or Isaiah, and he has a scroll bearing his prophetic vision. His
body animation shows a passionate soul within. The prophet seems entranced by his vision of
what is to come, the light of ordinary day unseen by his wide eyes.
Last Judgement Tympanum at Autun
What is a tympanum?
-the prominent semicircular lunette above the doorway proper, comparable in importance to the
triangular pediment of a Greco-Roman temple
Who was Gislebertus?
-a renowned sculptor of monumental sculpture at the time
Christ on the Cross (Majestat Batlló)
How does this figure of Christ compare to the figure of Christ on the Gero Crucifix?
-it has some weight and is in three dimension, but it is more clothed and suffering less. He still
lets his head fall though.
What was the source for the fabric of the robes that he wears?
-?
Mary as the Throne of Wisdom
What does Mary’s bench symbolize?
-a throne?
What does Mary symbolize?
-the throne of wisdom because her lap is Christ's throne
What would have been in Christ’s hand and what gesture would he have been making?
-a bible in his left hand, and his right arm would be raised in blessing.
What role would a sculpture like this have during the liturgical dramas enacted at the Feast of the
Epiphany?
-??
Baptismal Font from Renier
What inspired the form of this font?
-classical style
What are the main scenes depicted on the three sides of the font?
-the Old Testament story prefigured Christ's baptism
What does he introduce into his sculptural style? How does he arrive at it?
-Classical elements.
Old Testament kings and queens, Chartres Cathedral
What is the rough date of these sculptures?
- 1145 – 1155
Who do these figures represent?
-the royal ancestors of Christ?
What type of clothes do they wear and what alternative interpretation of their identity might this
suggest?
-they wear 12th century clothes, they would have been regarded as images of the kings and
queens of France.
What Romanesque stylistic elements are exhibited here?
-the linear folds of their garments and their elongated proportions.
What signs of new naturalism make these images different from Romanesque sculptures>
-Even though they are technically high reliefs, they stand out more and are more noticeably
naturalistic. This is most noticeable in their heads where kindly human faces replace the usual
mask like features of Romanesque figures.
Annunciation and Visitation, Reims Cathedral
What are the dates for these sculptures?
- 1230 – 1255
How many sculptors do art historians believe worked on these sculptures?
-three, at different times from 1230-1255
Which sculptures show evidence that the artist studied classical sculptures?
-Mary and Saint Elizabeth
How is classical influence displayed in their style of execution? Explain fully.
-The heads of these two resemble Roman portraits and the rich folds of the garments they wear
also recall Roman statuary. They turn their faces toward eachother and converse through
gestures. They are also in contrapposto position
How does the angel Gabriel exhibit the elegant Parisian court style?
-he has a much more elongated body and is much more animated. He pivots gracefully and
smiles, he also exudes charm.
Ekkehard and Uta, Naumburg Cathedral
What are the dates for these sculptures?
-1249 – 1255
Who were they?
-he was the military governor, and Uta was his wife.
Are they actual portraits of Ekkehard and Uta? Explain briefly.
-No, they were not alive at the same time as the sculptor
Document Summary
It is a name taken from an artistic style. 19th century to describe european architecture of the 11th and 12th century. Barrel and groin vaults based on the round arch. Pilgrims were important sources of funding for the monasteries that possessed the relics of venerated saints. The tomb of saint james at santiago de compostela in northwestern spain. What was the purpose of a shell to pilgrims visiting the shrine of st. james at santiago de. Saint james was the symbol of christian resistance to muslim expansion in western europe. The creation and fall of adam and eva, by wiligelmo at the cathedral of modena. An almond shaped nimbus surrounding the figure of christ or other sacred figure . Old testament prophet (jeremiah or isaiah) priory church of saint-pierre, moissac. The prophet is probably jeremiah or isaiah, and he has a scroll bearing his prophetic vision. His body animation shows a passionate soul within.
