Week 8: Essay

Week 8: Essay

Question: How do Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals express different understandings about religious 

theology?

            In life, there are so many things that affect people’s decisions and actions that go unnoticed. The Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals were enormously affected by the political and social situation of their time, as well as, the theological views expressed by the people alive at that time. Outside forces impacted how these buildings were constructed. Religion, though, was largely a part of what the cathedral’s stood for. The designs of the cathedrals tell you about the peoples’ faith and what they believed about God. Both kinds of cathedrals were highly dependent on the current political situations, but still deeply reflected the theological virtues of the people and both have important religious meanings.

            The Romanesque cathedrals appear often like fortresses. They were built partially as a place for the community to go for safety when outside invaders would attack because of the political unrest. In the pictures of the exterior and interior of the cathedrals, the walls are look to be built to withstand attacks and stand strong like a fortress (Figure 4 and Figure 5). The style seen there is typical Romanesque style architecture. In the exterior picture, it even show towers which can be used to fight back against enemies and high windows for protection. Also, in the interior, the same thickness and roughness is found. The theological influences can also be seen inside. During the Romanesque period of time, people were focused on the coming of the judgment day. Therefore, their religious places reflected that with dark cold enviorments. Romanesque reflected those religious views; therefore it expressed understandings of religion and theological virtues, as well as, the political situation.

            Gothic cathedrals, constructed after the Romanesque period, had a different completely different view cosmetically, but still also represented theological and religious understandings. Pictures below demonstrate the openness and large illuminated windows found in the Gothic cathedrals that caused a warmer environment for the people (Figure 1 and Figure 2). In these pictures, the Gothic cathedrals are noticeably more decorative. These seem to be more in depth and have tons of religious pictures and art all around. Extravagant windows and large pictures really make these cathedrals distinct form the Romanesque cathedrals. The focus of religion by this point in history was letting the light of God into the lives of the people. You see this displayed especially in those large windows that cathedrals were unable to have in the Romanesque period due to imposing invaders that might destroy them. Theology can be clearly seen in Gothic cathedrals, in addition to the every present social and political situations that seem to have an ever present touch on the church.

            One key point that has determined the difference between the two styles of cathedrals or the architecture is the windows. In the first picture, Romanesque windows are viewed (Figure 6), but in the other picture Gothic windows are seen (Figure 3). The Romanesque windows are high and up away from the ground helping to create the fortress and tough feel Romanesque cathedrals bring. They also were designed to keep out invaders and keep the people inside protected. The theological idea of judgment day, strongly observed at this time backed this up the design of these windows also. It may have encouraged people of that time to always look up to God and forward to the future. The gothic windows, on the other hand, were open and let tons of light in supporting their message of letting god’s light into their lives. These windows represent what their religion was all about. Something, that was as simple as the windows, was designed in a way that even a theological understanding could be found in it.

            Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals express to people an understanding about theology, religion, and showed the major beliefs people of that time had. These cathedrals also had practical political and social consideration put into them, but only in addition to the more important religious meanings they display. While Romanesque cathedrals appear as fortresses, they were designed with the religious thoughts on judgment day; the gothic cathedrals were built for their time too, but also showed the people’s theology of opening up to God’s light. Therefore, both had a religious presence in their architecture. Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals express understandings about religious theology, though they are different in looks and design.

Appendix

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Bibliography

Figure 1 - Saint Michel et Gudule de Bruxelles, facade, 13^th to 15^th century, http://commons.wiki media.org/wiki/File:Saints-Michel-et-Gudule_Luc_Viatour.jpg, photograph taken in 2008.

Figure 2 – Duomo di Orvieto, facade, 14^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duo mo_of_Orvieto.jpg, photograph taken in 2005.

Figure 3 – Minden Cathedral, windows, 14^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20 10-10-24_Minden,_Dom_014.jpg, photograph taken in 2010.

Figure 4 – Celles, facade, 5^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Celles_JPG00.jpg , photograph taken in 2005.

Figure 5 – Église de Saint Saturnin, interior, 7^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Romanesque_church_inside,_Saint-Saturnin,_Auvergne,_France.jpg, photography taken in2004.

Figure 6 – Minden Cathedral, windows, 14^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/File:2010-10-24_Minden,_Dom_037.jpg, photograph taken in 2010.