Question

Discuss the type of sculpture that decorated Romanesque churches. Where was it located? Why was it there? What sorts of messages did it convey to medieval viewers?

Answer 1

Some Romanesque churches feature an extensive sculptural scheme which covers the area surrounding the portal and sometimes much of the facade. The sculptural schemes were designed to convey the message that Christian believers should recognize wrongdoing, repent, and be redeemed.

Chief Formal Characteristics of Romanesque Sculpture

• Subject matter overwhelmingly religious, although secular themes turn up in surprising places.
• Large in size (as opposed to the miniature reliefs and statuettes in ivory and metal of the Carolingian and Ottonian periods).

In Romanesque architecture, the tympanum constitutes the area between the lintel over a doorway and the arch above. During the 11th and 12th centuries in Europe, tympana over church portals were decorated with intricate and stylized relief sculpture.