Difference in Gothic and Romanesque architecture Essay

Different Architecture of Romanesque and black letter Inspired Buildings There obligate been numerous pilgrimages made across France and Spain, each one just as anomalous as the one before it. Along these routes thither be an immeasurable number of august performes and temples each with their own history, puckishitecture and device last, making them precise translucentive. Time and place atomic number 18 alone- key(prenominal) influences of the bearing of these churches and temples when they were make this means that we have encountered scores of perspicuous implikeitectural types along our pilgrimages. I allow examine as well as equation the similarities and differences of devil types of computer puckishitecture from the middle ages called Romanesque and gothic. Romanesque and gothic arcitecture differ in m any(prenominal) counsellings from how the exterior looks to the clime on the wrong to the sculptures, arch types and the clerestory. The two architect ural types atomic number 18 different because they were influenced by the different forces ring them at the time.The periods in time when these computer computer architectures were organism defined played an important role in the outcome. Romanesque architecture started being employ in the sixth degree centigrade and eventually evolved into mediaeval architecture in the 12th century which standed until the 16th century .1 We tolerate see clear evolution of the distinct sports of Romanesque architecture morphing into medieval architecture. During the 12th century there argon buildings containing features of two Romanesque and mediaeval architecture. As the buildings would take years to complete, the initial stages of the building would be Romanesque and the later parts would be Gothic. I will look nigh at two churches while also touching on some other churches that we have discussed this semester and equate their features.St Sernin in Toulouse, France and Notre Dame Cat hedral in Chartres, France will represent Romanesque and Gothic respectably. The church of St Sernin is the medium-largest church in Toulouse, the fourth largest urban center in France, and it is Romanesque architecture at its finest. Toulouse was once part of a persona called Roman Gaul and the church was built during the time of the Roman Empire. This is wherefore we see Romanesque architecture throughout France and areas of Spain. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres, France is considered to be one of the well-nigh important Gothic buildings, non only if along the pilgrimage routes only if in the world. Unlike Toulouse, Chartres is a tiny curt country town however, Notre DameCathedral is famous for its beautiful architecture, unique sculptures and awe inspiring stain glass windows. The exterior of Romanesque architecture was built to a greater extent than for function than beauty. We find most of this architecture embedded in castles where defence was imperative. mend defence wasnt as important for the churches we cornerstone still see this style existing in many Romanesque churches.The walls of Romanesque buildings are often of massive reconditeness with few comparatively small openings.2 Having thick walls and small windows, the castles were almost impenetrable however this meant the design of the churches were relatively simple when compared to Gothic buildings. When we look at St Sernin we able to identify these features. There are numerous windows around the church however as St Sernin is a or else large Church you would expect to see more windows with other styles of architecture. The comportment of St Sernin has one large round window but the rest of this cladding is mainly stone with few relatively small windows. When we compare this to Gothic architecture we can see a significant difference. When Romanesque architecture evolved into Gothic architecture the arches were no longer just for sustaining the weight, they became more visua lly challenge. Gothic architecture came to be because of a unique combination of existing technologiesThose technologies were the ogival or pointed arch, the ribbed vault, and the flying buttress.3 These untried technologies meant that the exterior walls could be lean and have more windows as the weight of the roof and upper levels were discontinue distributed through clustered columns. Having lighter walls and more windows and openings led to more enhancive and visually stunning buildings considered to be travels of art. Notre Dame Cathedral is an dazzling work of art which uses all the new technologies in displaying one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. The facade of the cathedral is high and well decorated. There is a smart as a whip round window which is the centre atom of the face which is surround by countless pointed arch windows designed to support the weight. Unlike the church of St Sernin where most of the front wall was stone, Notre Dames front wall consists broadly of windows. These exterior features had a significant impact on the interior scent and mood of the buildings. The amount of light let in by the two comparative architectural types has a lot to do with the sapidity and mood of the interior. When entering different buildings one can feel the difference between the two types ofarchitecture.4 When it comes to the Romanesque style of St Sernin, very little light is able to move into the thick walls with little openings which makes the interior mood feel dark and gloomy. When you compare that to the Gothic Notre Dame, with its numerous windows it has a completely different feel. Instead of contact dark and gloomy like St Sernin, Notre Dames interior has a much lighter and a more inviting mood. Another defining feature of Gothic architecture is one of the new technologies, the pointed or ogival arches. This new way of carrying the weight was revolutionary as costs could be cut by having more glass and less stone work. Structural use of the pointed arch gave a greater flexibility to architectural form, it also gave Gothic architecture a very different visual character to Romanesque.5 These arches meant the ceiling could be made higher than before symbolising an aspiration for heaven. All Gothic openings such as windows, doorways and galleries are made with pointed arches. The church at St Sernin is no exception to this rule. Looking at the removed of the building all you can see is pointed arch doors and windows. It is the same once you have entered the building, pointed archways running land both sides of church. Compared to Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture was an outdated technique when it came to efficiency. Romanesque design wasnt as advanced, instead of use efficient pointed arches like Gothic designs round or semi circle arches were used for their arches. This is more efficient at holding weight than a square doorway but not as efficient as a pointed arch. To overcome this w eakness of the rounded arches instead of a single round arch of stone to pass over an opening they use multitudinous arches.6 This way the weight load is spread over numerous arches instead of a single arch. When we look at the church in St Sernin the doorways and windows are all rounded. The main entrance has two large rounded doorways, when we look closely we can see it isnt a like the other arches, to carry the weight they have made the arch wider than the wall coming out a few feet. When we go inside we can see that on top of the rows of columns on the interior there are rounded arches, even the roof is a rounded arch which is supported by moulded arches.Sculpture work that exists on the inside and outside of churches had two purposes. Intricate sculpture works on the churches were visually appealing making them more attractive to pilgrims and tourists and it was also a way of storytelling that was guaranteed to lastas long as the church. Romanesque sculptures evolved over the years having three distinct periods. A primitive period, the second period was marked by churrigueresque exaggeration and the final refining and assimilating period.7 This style of sculpture work often depicts scopes of everyday life including both people and animals. While the scenes of the sculptures rarely altered, how they were depicted was. In the second period grotesque figures of men and animals, and designs derived from vegetable demesne8 were common. As we move into the third period depictions are more realistic. At St Sernin there is an abundance of Romanesque sculptures carved into the south portal. It is an early piece of Romanesque sculpture work as the subjects of the art work are all regular in appearance. Over the south portal is a scene of Christ with the dozen apostles below looking up at him. This was a common enough depiction of Christ in Romanesque design, a very similar piece had been carved on a different church carved twelve years earlier.The end of the Romanesque period flowed smoothly into the new Gothic style of sculpture work. While it continued the tradition of Romanesque sculpture, but it changed in its iconography tending towards a didactic representation of the most important persons and scenes in the Holy Scripture.9 Other common themes are the twelve months and the signs of the zodiac, angels and saints. Gothic architecture took the already existing Romanesque architecture and channelled this into a more comprehensive and calculated work of art with the ability to touch any individual that gazes upon her art and for individuals who understand Gothic sculpture have a deeper appreciation. The faade at Notre Dame Cathedral has three magnificent doorways, and supra the centre doorway is a great depiction of Christ created using a Gothic sculpture style. Christ is standing surrounded by an eagle, jack, lion and a winged man. Visitors are able to enjoy this work for its quality although those who understand the piece realise that the eagle represents shrine John, the bull represents Saint Luke, the lion represents Saint Mark and the winged man represents Saint Matthew. Gothic and Romanesque architecture dominated the middle ages used to create magnificent churches, temples and castles considered to be works of art. Romanesque architecture evolved into Gothic architecture during the 12th century.While these two types of architecture sometimes overlapped during the transitional period, Gothic and Romanesque architecture are like chalk and cheese when you examine themclosely. From the ingenuity of the design, the mood and feel of the interior, the visual effect of the exterior and the beautiful sculpture work. Gothic architectures used all of the available technologies available to them, so they were able to create structures that Romanesque architectures could only dream of. These new design methods meant that the interior mood has also morphed Romanesque architecture had a damp and dark mood which evolv ed into the bright and inviting Gothic architecture. Sculptures went from being grotesque figures in Romanesque architecture to a more defined and meaty work of art in Gothic architecture. These two different styles of architecture may be different however they are still both quite capable of inspiring individuals which means that they will be a destination for pilgrims and tourists for the years to come.BibliographyBrowne, Edith A, Romanesque Architecture (Kessinger Publishing, 2005) Frankl, Paul, Gothic Architecture (Yale University Press, 2000) Groce, Jenae, An Introduction to Gothic Architecture (World Technologies, 2012) Morey, Charles R., The Source of Romanesque Sculpture (College Art Association, 1919)