RomanesqueCategories

= The Three Categories of Romanesque Architecture =


 * Burgundian Romanesque- **[[image:http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/saulieu-church-photos/slides/xti_9781p.jpg width="234" height="169" align="left" link="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/images/burgundy/saulieu/resized/xti_9781p.jpg"]] This style was mostly popular in French Cathedrals in the Burgundy region under the influence of the Abbey of Cluny. It was popular from 1025 to 1175 and is said to be one of the influences behind Gothic Architecture. Features include tall proportions, elaborate sculptured decoration, pointed arches in the barrel vaults, grouped piers, and early forms of rib vaulting and flying buttresses. Burgundian Romanesque art is also unique, it has a "majestic severity achieved by the elongation, angularity, drastic flattening, and hierarchical size of figures" and by the drapery. The church off to the left is the Saulieu Church in Saulieu, France.

**Cistercian Romanesque-** This style is regarded as the polar opposite of the Burgundian style. This style came to be when the austere Cistercian order believed that overdone decorations would distract the monks and worshipers and felt strongly against it. Therefore, the churches and abbeys are very simple with round arches, shorter ceilings and little to no sculptures at all. But this style allows the pure beauty to shine through where one can see its beauty even without elaborate decorations. It was used between 1110 and 1200. The abbey above is the Fontenay Abbey in Burgundy, France. The abbey was consecrated by Pope Eugene III in 1147.

** Norman Romanesque- ** Finally, this style was developed in the Normandy region in Northern France and in England, which at the time was taken over by the Normans in 1066. But the style in France conformed to the other French styles while the English turned into Anglo-Norman and what is regarded as the Norman Style. This style has long galleries and has a massive scale. They also used geometric decorations. While sculptures are uncommon in Norman Romanesque, when they have sculptures they are a blend of Romanesque art and Celtic design. The Picture on the left is of the Ely Cathedral. The building of the cathedral started under Abbot Simeon in 1083 and continued until 1189.

Works Cited Created By: Maggie Golden- February 22, 2010