1. Romanesque Painting

2. Origins of Romanesque Painting
Painting in the Middle Ages revived with the Carolingian Empire – particularly in the production of richly illuminated texts.
Large wall-paintings were also created, but little survives.
Annunciation, Gegenbach, Germany

3. Origins of Romanesque Art
Note the Byzantine influence in this Apse Mosaic, Cefalo Cathedral, Sicily
Byzantine influence was strong, but was fused with with early Christian and Germanic decorative traditions.

4. Origins of Romanesque Art
An early scene. King Edward dies (left) and is buried (right).
Tapestry work and painting were closely related in this period.
The story telling of the Bayeux Tapestry also appeared in paintings.

5. Origins of Romanesque Painting
Bayeux Tapestry. A later scene, the battle rages.

6. David & Goliath, Santa Maria Church, Tahull, Spain
Romanesque Painting
David & Goliath, Santa Maria Church, Tahull, Spain
Figures are stylized, rather than naturalistic – as in Byzantine icons.
Background is subordinated to the human figure

7. The Martyrdom of St. Francis
Romanesque Painting
The Martyrdom of St. Francis
Figures are generally sized according to importance, not in accordance with perspective.

8. Noah, Receiving Instruction from God
Romanesque Painting
Noah, Receiving Instruction from God
The natural world is hinted at, but plants and scenery remain abstract and the result is usually a “fairytale landscape.”
Janson

9. Fresco in San Pedro de Sorpe, Spain
Romanesque Painting
Fresco in San Pedro de Sorpe, Spain
Similarities in style and technique may relate to an internationalization of styles brought from place to place by traveling artists.

10. Romanesque Painting Scenes are religious and are intended to educate.
The Baptism of Christ

11. Christ in Majesty, San Isodoro, Leon, Spain
Romanesque Painting
Christ in Majesty, San Isodoro, Leon, Spain
Volume, perspective and proportion between elements are not important.

12. Romanesque Painting
Background and landscape is often ignored entirely or presented as bands of colour or pattern

13. The scribe Eadwine, Canterbury Psalter
Romanesque Painting
The scribe Eadwine, Canterbury Psalter
Particular attention is given to the folds and pleats of clothing – as is the case with Byzantine icons.

14. Illumination from the Lesson of St. Wenseslas
Romanesque Painting
Illumination from the Lesson of St. Wenseslas
Painting is often small.
Manuscripts are beautifully illuminated – often by women in convents.

15. Romanesque Painting The Scale of Painting can also be very large.
The Painted Vault of St. Savin-sur-Gartemps
The Scale of Painting can also be very large.
Frescoes covered entire walls or vaults.

16. Romanesque Painting – St. Savin-sur-Gartemps
Vault
Detail