1. Name two powerful forces molding the development of Romanesque (and Gothic) art and architecture:
a. Pilgrimage
b. Monastic movement
2. Which cathedral was the starting point to the pilgrimage to Santiago, Spain?
Vezelay cathedral in France
3. What was at Santiago (or maybe who)?
The church in Santiago was believed to house the bones of St James
4. Why did people go on pilgrimages? Cite five reasons.
a. to plead for divine help
b. to ask for the cure revealed
c. to give thanks for favors given
d. to ask to forgive their sins
e. for the salvation of their souls
5. Whose relics were at Vezelay?
The relics of Mary Magdalene
6. What 3 objects or garments marked a pilgrim?
a. pilgrims hat
b. staff
c. a shell on the bag
7. Why were sculpted images used throughout the churches? Give 2 reasons:
a. images instructed the illiterate citizens and pilgrims
b. images also conveyed the churches message
8. What is the iconography of the tympanum at Autun, sculpted by Gislebertus?
The last Judgement
B. What is the mood evoked by the inscription on the tympanum?
The spectators express terror
9. Name four subjects found in the capitals at Autun.
a. the adoration of the Magi
b. the flight into Egypt
c. the dream of Magi
d. the suicide of Judas
10. What was the most important form of painting in Medieval Western art? Who produced it?
The decoration of Holy Scriptures was considered the most important form of painting. It was produced by monks.
10b.Where does the term Romanesque come from?
Historians called the massive buildings Romanesque to show that the architects use the Roman style in their constructions
11. What was the standard form used by Christian architects for the cathedrals? What was added to this basic form?
A long Roman basilica was used. Towers were added from the West end, the cathedrals with added transepts had the form of cross. Radiated chapels were added from the East end. Inside the church galleries and windows broke the structure of the Roman basilica.
12. Why were stone vaults used in Romanesque cathedrals?
They decrease the risk of fire. They were beautiful visually and more appropriate from acoustic point of view.
13. Name three essential characteristics of the Gothic.
a. pointed arch
b. rib vault
c. flying buttresses
14. Identify one way in which Durham Cathedral in England is ambiguous or is different from other contemporary cathedrals.
The building has Gothic elements in it (like pointed arches in the nave of the cathedral)
15. Identify the primary way in which Durham Cathedral is more Romanesque than Gothic.
The Durham Cathedral has strong Romanesque forms (like supporting pillars).
16. What style of architecture is Vezelay as a whole?
The building does not have one style: it is a mixture of Gothic and Roman architecture.
17. What major struggles did Chartres face in its history?
The Chartres Cathedral was financed and constructed by the citizens. The existing cathedral is the 5th built on the site as Chartres struggled with fire and demolition all the time.
18. List 2 major functions the Cathedral of Chartres filled for the town of Chartres?
a. center of spiritual life
b. focus of civil routine and daily life: market was situated near the Western gates
19. Who is buried at St. Denis?
It was burial place for the King of France
20. Who conceived of St. Denis?
Abbot Suger
21. Which cathedral aspired to be the tallest? What happened to it?
Beauvais Cathedral was supposed to be the highest vaulted cathedral but the vaulting collapsed.
22. How does English Gothic compare to the French?
English architects favor length over height. The vault was patterned in comparison with the French one. Also, the reinforced support for the crossing was added
23. Identify the 3 types of figures displayed on Chartre’s Royal Portal.
a. Old Testament Prophets and Kings
b. Angels
c. Christ
24. Identify 3 ways in which the iconography of Chartres’ western central tympanum differs from that of Autun.
a. The main subject is not the last judgement but the promise of salvation
b. Human-like sculptures
c. Sculptures are deliberated from the architectural framework
25. What were most people’s lives like in the Middle Ages? Name a reason why cathedrals were important to them.
The population of the Middle Ages was mostly peasants. Their life was harsh, and the church was important for them as they see the contrast between their hardships and splendid architecture of cathedrals.
26. What architectural structure allowed for stained glass in the cathedrals?
The external flying buttresses allowed increasing the size of stained glass.
27. Who is depicted the most in the glass at Chartres? Why?
Virgin Mary is depicted the most in the glass. This is explained by the fact that Mary is considered to the Queen of the Heaven, and the light inside the church promised another world and afterlife.
28. What does stained glass tell us about at Chartres? What are some topics?
The stained glass contains the scenes from the daily life. A spectator can notice the moments of peasant’s work, monks writing Scriptures, the ideas and beliefs of the people at that time.
29. What historical/cultural period comes after the Gothic?
The Renaissance comes after the Gothic.
