Romanesque and Gothic art

Romanesque and Gothic art

1. Romanesque art

   • It was a rural style of art, meaning that the majority of the works of art were situated in the countryside and small villages.
   • The nobility and the Church promoted these works of art. The main buildings were religious ones: chapels, monasteries and cathedrals.
   • Romanesque style was started and spread by Cluniac monks and extended along the pilgrimage routes.

2. Gothic art

   • Gothic painting and sculpture also had an educational and narrative function. The Gothic was a more naturalistic style, meaning its aim was to reflect what could be seen in nature.
   • Sculptures were no longer rigid and a relationship was established between the figures depicted, creating the sensation that they were looking at each other and conversing.
   • The faces of the figures became expressive and realistic once more, and the clothing and objects were extremely detailed.
   • Both painting and sculpture depicted religious scenes and figures.