Romanesque Painting

1
Romanesque Painting

• K.J. Benoy

2
Origins of Romanesque Painting

• Painting in the Middle Ages revived with the
  Carolingian Empire particularly in the
  production of richly illuminated texts.
• Large wall-paintings were also created, but
  little survives.

3
Origins of Romanesque Art

• Byzantine influence was strong, but was fused
  with with early Christian and Germanic decorative
  traditions.

4
Origins of Romanesque Art

• Tapestry work and painting were closely related
  in this period.
• The story telling of the Bayeux Tapestry also
  appeared in paintings.

5
Origins of Romanesque Painting
6
Romanesque Painting

• Figures are stylized, rather than naturalistic
  as in Byzantine icons.
• Background is subordinated to the human figure

7
Romanesque Painting

• Figures are generally sized according to
  importance, not in accordance with perspective.

8
Romanesque Painting

• The natural world is hinted at, but plants and
  scenery remain abstract and the result is usually
  a fairytale landscape.
• Janson

9
Romanesque Painting

• Similarities in style and technique may relate to
  an internationalization of styles brought from
  place to place by traveling artists.

10
Romanesque Painting

• Scenes are religious and are intended to educate.

11
Romanesque Painting

• Volume, perspective and proportion between
  elements are not important.

12
Romanesque Painting

• Background and landscape is often ignored
  entirely or presented as bands of colour or
  pattern

13
Romanesque Painting

• Particular attention is given to the folds and
  pleats of clothing as is the case with
  Byzantine icons.

14
Romanesque Painting

• Painting is often small.
• Manuscripts are beautifully illuminated often
  by women in convents.

15
Romanesque Painting

• The Scale of Painting can also be very large.
• Frescoes covered entire walls or vaults.

16
Romanesque Painting St. Savin-sur-Gartemps
17
Finis