Introduction: Architecture has reflected one of the more fundamentally intricate industrial/artistic fields practically since the existence of man; man as a being capable of appreciating the advantages of living within enclosed structures rather than the great outdoors. This is even more apparent when considering the architectural implementations and adherences that the decades left behind have provided for [future] architectural plains, subsequently ensuring continuity in terms of evolving architectural trends and traditions.
It would be relevant here to consider that the Byzantine Empire was the empire or period that came forth as successor to the Roman Empire. It stretched from 135 to 638 CE and it was a period that was fundamentally instrumental in regard to the dramatic rise that Christianity was soon to experience. It wasn’t too long before Constantine rose to power as sole ruler of the Roman Empire, subsequently bringing about a transformation in the stature of Christianity at the time. “No longer was it an outlawed and persecuted faith; in fact, it would soon become the Empire's official religion”. Thus began a period within which Christianity was proclaimed to be the official religion of the region. And with this period, came to the widespread construction of Churches within the Empire; Jerusalem, in particular, was dramatically uplifted as a result of it being the hotspot of church construction (s). Similar to the rise in Byzantine art was that of Romanesque art and architecture. With the spread of Christianity, Roman legacy could have easily been forgotten. However, Christianity brought down along with it rich characteristics of roman culture that is known to man today. Since the mid 1100s, art and architecture have had religion closely associated with it.
The Romanesque Architecture is a prime example that is known for particular unmistakable characteristics. In addition to the historic Byzantine and subsequently Romanesque architecture, there were other forces that brought down through history rich cultural heritage. In this regard it must be asserted that European history is heralded with transformations that may be termed as radical ones. This is because there are occurrences in Europe that had drastically transformed the lives of people in relatively quick time.
As an example, around the 1500s, this is something that was demonstrated through the warring forces. These forces were to cause considerable change in the way that things were generally accepted. ‘Things’ here generally refers to the way that the Roman influence governed people’s beliefs; naturally their lives were also governed as a result.
The importance of mentioning these forces and cultural legacies is important to this discussion because of the fact that it all helps in relating how particular physical outlooks have come to be part of art and architecture of particular periods.
The example that can be provided and which is the main focus of this paper is of course the Romanesque Architecture. Primarily it may be asserted that it is the Christian church outlook that the Romanesque Architecture can be recognized for. This is of course is typical because of the fact that this architecture was established during a period when Christianity was on the rise. However, this is not the only aspect of Romanesque architecture that can be noted, as there are several others. However, two other main characteristics of Romanesque Architecture that may be noted include Regularity and Geometric precision.
It must be noted that in addition to many other places in Europe where Romanesque Architectural structures are seen, England and Ireland are two important regions worth mentioning ( Harrison, 2001, 105-107). This is because of the fact that these regions were influenced by Norman Architecture that replaced the Saxon style. With the spread of Christianity in these regions along with the Roman influence coming this way, architectural trends were considerably impacted.
Analysis:
It might be asserted that Regularity and Geometric precision in structure were properties of periods prior to Romanesque Architecture. However, it is in Romanesque Architecture that these characteristics are most noticeable. In mentioning the accuracy with which these structures were made, it is also important to assert that the architects of these structures were innovative as well. This is because they replaced previously used designs as well materials that were deemed inappropriate by them.
The Romans being advanced in their technical knowledge of structures, realized the need to make safety an important consideration in the structures. This is the reason why they replaced the previously used inflammable materials such as wood by stone.
Particularly, it may be asserted that in the construction of vaults, architects faced problems for safety. They realized the use of alternative materials as well as alternative structuring. This is reflected in the structures of vaults in the Romanesque period, some of which were domed or pointed.
Since the structure was composed of heavy material, it needed to be supported by strong pillars. The result of such an arrangement was that a typical building plan emerged. In addition to this rigid structural plan, Romanesque structures had their doors covered by characteristic Arches. In addition to the use of arches in the structures and rigid walls and piers, rectangular apses, double transepts, and deeply recessed portals were common.
It is obvious that this period in architectural history was a decisive one because of the fact that it provided solutions to structural problems. Indeed for a period ranging from around 800-1200 A.D. this is considered momentous architectural development. This means that the people involved in such buildings were ones that were dedicated to making better structures in stead of simply following a trend.
Though it could also be asserted that they were following trends because of the cultural heritage that they brought down from the preceding Romans, it must be asserted that they wanted to perfect these structures and knowledge of building.
Another feature of making better buildings was the accuracy involved. It is obvious that in this period, architects focused more on mathematical processes that were apparently not given as much considerations in previous periods. They obviously were more aware of the use of mathematical laws of geometry that led them to being more accurate in their placements of supports for safer structures.
The use of squares in structuring a stone building is something that these architects were certainly aware of. This meant that they knew precisely what they were doing; they didn’t simply create fancy structures that were not safe. The methods employed geometrically speaking is the reason why many of the buildings constructed during this period still stand today without any major signs of deterioration through structural weaknesses.
Of course there have been a few structures from this period that have deteriorated, but these have been due to the deterioration of particular kinds of stone or lack of care for the premises. Other than that it must be asserted that there were no weaknesses in the structural arrangement. An intriguing part of the use of mathematics in architecture during this period is that the architects were willing to experiment.
Though they did not take undue risk with the materials that they used for their buildings, they certainly were willing to hoist domed-shaped structures in their buildings for which a designer has to be very mathematically accurate. It must be asserted here that it is not a simple task to construct buildings with rounded structures.
A structure that is square-like or rectangular features would be more easily erected, and this is especially using the formulae that were available to them at that time. However, it is obvious though that most of the mathematical foundations that contemporary architects rely on today are very similar to those of this period (Romanesque period). However, it must be asserted that it is the extent to which these theories were implemented that is worth mentioning, as they made immense use of geometric approaches. This is further reflected in the manner that regular structures were created.
By regular structures, architects mean that these are buildings that are symmetrical, which is to say that if a given structure were to be dissected into equal portions, they would all have the same shape and size. Such division is only possible with accurately built structures and well-planned ones, which are two of the characteristics that architects of the Romanesque period have been praised for.
In addition to the symmetrical characteristic of Romanesque structures, it may be noted that these buildings are also church-like in their outlook. Whether they are really churches is another matter. The reason why they have a church-like outlook is because they were built in an era in which architects followed building outlooks that were not really churches to begin with.
Coincidentally being in a Christian era, these structures are ordinarily considered to be churches. However, this is not the case because of the fact that it is simply the architectural trends that were followed at a time when Christianity was on the rise. This is more easily understood when one considers that Christianity spread in an area where architecture was rich, and so, when Christianity was spread to further areas, it brought along with it this architecture (Stalley, 1971, 62-83).
In light of this understanding, it must be noted that much of this architecture later influenced the religious structures built in other parts of the world where Christianity spread. This reinforces the spread of Christianity along with architectural spread from the Roman Empire (Garton, 2001, 124-126). Particularly, the spread of the Christianity to European areas like Ireland and England meant that Roman culture would reach there, and so it did. However, Romanesque was not only seen in England and Ireland exceptionally, as the following structures are noted as structures of Romanesque architecture:
France—the abbey churches of St. Madeleine Vézelay (c.1090–1130) and Paray-le-Monial (early 12th cent.);
Germany—the Cathedral of Speyer, dedicated in 1060, but largely reconstructed after 1082, and the Church of St. Mary on the Capitol in Cologne (1049);
Italy—the cathedral (1063–92) and baptistery (1153) in Pisa, the Church of San Miniato al Monte (c.1070) in Florence, and the Cathedral of Monreale in Sicily (1174). From the last third of the 12th cent. certain features of the churches in N France and in England began to point toward the development of the Gothic(Romanesque Architecture, 2004). Similarly, architecture in the Ile-de-France, particularly the ambulatory (1140) of the abbey of St. Denis, reveals such an advance in unified design and construction as to be considered the first monument of Gothic architecture (Architecture - Early Christian and Medieval Period, 2004).
It is evident that Romanesque Architecture was highly influential, which explains why it has reached all the above mentioned European countries. The style with which they are constructed, the geometrical accuracy, the vaulting in them, and the symmetrical shapes they had, made these structures unique in its period. However, they did not remain unique through history, as Romanesque Architecture has been appreciated and duplicated as well.
As far down as the 19 th century, architecture has been likened with that of Romanesque Architecture, revealing the popularity of it through so many centuries. Having asserted this, it is worth mentioning the transitions that have taken place historically in order to bring this architecture right down to the 19 th century (Ross, 2001).
Indeed, it must be remembered that Romanesque Architecture did not develop on its own to spread so far down through centuries; it was of course the rich heritage and structural popularity that had gotten recognized. The influences that Romanesque Architecture had to begin with came from the preceding period of architecture. However, it is also important to mention that not all of this influence was carried forward. This is because of the fact that particular features such as the Iconostasis was largely Ignored. It is important to consider that Greek Orthodoxy was concentrating upon establishing their difference from their Roman counterparts in as much as accentuating the presence of the iconostasis as markedly as possible.
Particular ornamentations, in Byzantine orthodox churches, actually evolved from the oriental adherence to adorning the place above the altar. While the altar initially stood bare and austere in both, the Oriental as well as the Latin Rites, this was something that gradually changed as a result of influence from Western Europe. Churches and cathedrals in Western Europe, where the Gothic architectural trends reigned, began to emerge with a great wall placed immediately behind the altar.
It was common for ornamentation, figures, and carvings to be put upon this wall so as to contribute to the beautifying impact that this wall had on the entirety of the church. Though the Romanesque Architecture did without much of these features, it was recognized for its concreteness in structure rather than beautification. The structures erected were sturdy, which is perhaps the best reason one could provide for it being used in the 19 th century (Manco, 2004).
Conclusion: The basic characteristics that Romanesque Architecture is recognized for includes its symmetrical structure, geometrical accuracy and church-like outlook. Though there are other features in this architecture, these are the ones that are worth emphasizing on because of the fact that Romanesque Architecture has turned popular because of them. One cannot deny the architectural sensibility used while erecting these structures, as they are ones that make buildings stronger and longer lasting. Being symmetrical in shape for instance provides stability to a structure, and this was a typical feature of Romanesque Architecture.
In addition to this feature that provided stability to a structure, there were other characteristics as well that made structures under Romanesque Architecture recognizable. These included the use of materials in their structures. Unlike their preceding times, non-inflammable materials were used, which made the structures safer. In addition to the use of non-inflammable and stringer materials, shape was essential for stability.
It must be noted here that the shape the architects gave particular portions of the building we accurately calculated ones that would not be damaged easily. Whether they were pointed or domed in shape, they were rigid structures. It was this that also made Romanesque structures recognizable.
In addition to the geometrically calculated shapes in the structure using mathematical precision, Romanesque Architecture is known for its church-like outlook. This is because of the fact that these structures look very much like churches. However, it needs to be clarified that these structures were not religious ones to begin with; this means that these were not Christian structures, as they were Roman ones.
It is after Christianity grew in the Roman Empire that structures with features visible in Romanesque Architecture became known as Christian ones. However, they are simply Roman, and since Christianity has been associated with Roman Architecture because of the spread of Christianity, Romanesque Architectural features have come to be recognized as Christian-like ones.
Finally, it must be asserted that whatever Romanesque Architecture is recognized for, it is certainly the kind that was innovative for its age. The manner in which the architects planned and designed is plausible, and this is because of the accuracy they constructed with and the safety they brought to their structures.
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