Essay Example on a Unique Blend: The Romanesque Style of Art

Introduction

Romanesque art was one of a kind. Some of the reasons for its uniqueness were as the result of changing political powers during the period of Carolingian and mobility during Crusades. These arts were the first of their kind in Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire. It was, however, a continuation of the Roman styles that were in existence as there was the use of Roman bricks and stones as well as the Roman techniques of construction. In the northern parts of Europe, the Romanesque design was adopted in the development of official buildings. There are some of the reasons that made this style to stand out and be a distinct design which most people were admiring. (Charles, & Carl, 2016). Some of these reasons may include the following.

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Feudalism and warfare

Due to feudalism that occurred in Europe and the farmers acquired land tenures from local leaders in an exchange of military services which were often called to hold crusades. These crusades lead to significant exodus leading to the development of skills in building and metalwork to provide weapons was also used in fitting decors in buildings. This was one of the reasons why the Romanesque design was discovered. (Charles, & Carl, 2016).

Economic Growth in Europe

As Europe was thriving, the arts of various kinds were no longer limited to the royal court and a small group of elites and monasteries as opposed to the Ottonian and Carolingian times. Churches in towns and monasteries embraced decorations. Due to the growth of the design field, an artist by the name Nicholas of Verdun became a public figure who was valued all over Europe. (Charles, & Carl, 2016). The artist was of a kind in designing various Romanesque designed buildings.

Architecture

The field of architecture embraced the new design. It made it better by combining the features of the Roman and Byzantine buildings with other traditional construction designs. (Charles, & Carl, 2016). The Romanesque design is unique in that it has the characteristics of thick walls, rounded arches, groin vaults, vast qualities, sturdy piers, and decorative arcades. In this design, every building has its particular types as well as symmetrical strategies leading to more smooth appearance than subsequent Gothic constructions.

Painting

The painting that was applied in the Romanesque design was also of a kind. The definition of the painting was in this design was vigorous styles as well as sculpture. The churches followed the Byzantine design. In other illuminated writings, lavish decorations were applied. Due to the development of the beautiful new scenes that were being discovered, more authenticity also developed. In the Romanesque designs, bright colors were the primary sources of decor which now exists in the authentic brightness in stained glasses as well as in well-kept autographs. (Charles, & Carl, 2016).

Sculptures

The shaping designs that were used in constructing buildings in the Romanesque style were also portraying robust models which gave clear carve capitals of columns which were always displaying scenes of completeness in various figures. Valuable items such which were shaped in metals and ivory had an attribute of high value during this period where they all gave the design its uniqueness.

Conclusion

The Romanesque design is one of a kind which during these times received high acceptance all over Europe. (Charles, & Carl, 2016). Due to its outstanding characteristics, there was a high endorsement in the construction of respectable buildings. Some of the reasons that contributed to its development ranged from social, political and economical as the paper tries to show.

References

Charles, V., & Carl, K. (2016). Romanesque art. Parkstone International.