CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ROMANESQUE ART
16
Multiple Choice
1. The Church of Sant Vincenç (Fig. 16-3) is an example of the “First Romanesque” because
A. it is laid out on a pilgrimage plan.
B. it is laid out on a basilica plan.
C. it relies on stone vaulting and masonry construction.
D. the design allowed for flat-wall continuity along the nave.
2. Which was the largest church in Europe at the time of its completion in 1130?
A. San Miniato
B. Saint Peter’s
C. Cluny III
D. Santo Domingo
3. What is the Leaning Tower of Pisa at the cathedral complex at Pisa?
A. baptistry
B. crypt
C. campanile
D. altar
4. Which new system of masonry, which would become a hallmark of later Gothic architecture,
was introduced in Durham Cathedral (Fig. 16-18)?
A. ribbed groin vaults
B. barrel vaults
C. transverse arches
D. strip buttresses
5. The nave of the Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe (Fig. 16-13) shows the biblical
story of
A. the Creation.
B. Noah and the Flood.
C. the Expulsion.
D. Tower of Babel.
6. The oldest known bronze tomb effigy is of
A. King Ralph.
B. Rudolf of Swabia.
C. Reiner of Huy.
D. Homilies of Guda.
7. Cluny was unusual among monasteries because the abbot answered to
A. the Pope in Rome.
B. the Duke of Burgundy.
C. the local feudal lord.
D. the Bishop of Paris.
8. What feature distinguishes Cluniac churches in Burgundy from those elsewhere?
A. accommodations made in the design to fit the needs of pilgrims
B. the use of Corinthian columns and other classicizing elements
C. rich sculptural and painted decorations
D. an emphasis on regional style and tradition
9. The practical nature of the Cistercians led to what change in the traditional monastery plan?
A. the use of concrete instead of stone construction
B. key buildings placed at right angles to the cloister
C. the church separated from the cloister by a courtyard
D. an added clerestory, which provided natural light from above
10. What architectural element of Romanesque portals was used to depict the most important
imagery?
A. jambs
B. archivolts
C. lintel
D. tympanum
11. How do the reliefs on the left wall of the south porch of the Priory Church of Saint-Pierre at
Moissac (Fig. 16-23) differ from imagery carved on the tympanum (Fig. 16-21) of that church?
A. They are more awe-inspiring and didactic.
B. They were originally painted in brightly colored hues.
C. They are more lifelike to convey human frailty.
D. They demonstrate the influence of Islamic art.
12. What was the objection to the Reliquary Statue of Sainte Foy (Fig. 16-6) initially held by St.
Bernard of Angers?
A. The reliquary’s form seemed idolatrous.
B. Monks had stolen the relics from the saint’s shrine.
C. The statue had been made by pagans.
D. Its use of gold and encrusted jewels was too gaudy.
13. What could pilgrims who made the journey to Santiago de Compostela purchase as a badge
that attested to their piety and accomplishments?
A. emblemata
B. shell
C. ankh
D. crucifix
14. During the Romanesque period, what largely replaced mosaics on the walls of churches
outside of Rome?
A. relief carvings
B. painted murals
C. marble inlay
D. bare expanses of stone
15. Carved historiated capitals such as The Magi Asleep and The Flight into Egypt (Fig. 16-25)
inside the Cathedral of Saint-Lazare emphasize
A. the human qualities of the stories.
B. deep theological significance.
C. the importance of the church.
D. a moral lesson to be learned.
16. The imagery of the Norman Conquest depicted in the Bayeux Embroidery (Figs. 16-31, 16-
32, and 16-33) is best described as
A. historical.
B. anecdotal.
C. inaccurate.
D. mythical.
17. What did the Scivias record about Hildegard of Bingen?
A. her day-to-day events
B. her musical compositions
C. her mystical visions
D. her treatises on medicine
18. Although a military failure, what helped to stimulate trade during the Romanesque period?
A. Norman battles
B. pilgrimages
C. the crusades
D. Dover castle
19. In the relief Christ and Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Fig. 16-1), Christ’s attributes of a
hat, a satchel, and a walking stick characterize him as a
A. Good Shepherd.
B. Nordic king.
C. youthful emperor.
D. pilgrim.
20. What was the earliest known illustrated record of contemporary events in England?
A. Liber Scivias (Fig. 16-38)
B. Book of Homilies (Fig. 16-35)
C. Worcester Chronicle (Fig. 16-30)
D. Codex Colbertinus (Fig. 30-34)
21. The First Crusade was promoted by Pope
A. Bernard of Clairvaux.
B. Alfonso VI.
C. Reinier of Huy.
D. Urban II.
22. In keeping with the order’s emphasis on disciplined spiritual practice, which kind of
architecture is characterized by simplicity, austerity, and purity?
A. Cistercian
B. Cluniac
C. Benedictine
D. Islamic
23. Which symbolizes the Holy Sepulcher and covers the main altar in the apse of San
Clemente?
A. baldacchino
B. mausoleum
C. tapestry
D. capital
24. Any Romanesque image of Mary seated on a throne and holding the baby Jesus on her lap is
known as
A. “The Throne of Wisdom.”
B. “Virgin of Compassion.”
C. “Theotokos.”
D. “Mater Dolorosa.”
25. The oxen on the baptismal font by Renier of Huy symbolize
A. Pharisees.
B. prophets.
C. apostles.
D. seasons.
Short Answer
1. Describe the economic situation in Europe during the Romanesque period.
2. How does the Worcester Chronicle depict medieval society?
3. How did intellectual life bloom in the eleventh and twelfth centuries?
4. What inspired the faithful to travel on pilgrimages?
5. How was the monastery of Cluny in Burgundy a city in itself?
6. How did the exteriors of Tuscan basilicas differ from those of other early Christian basilicas?
7. How does Speyer Cathedral emphasize Ottonian qualities?
8. In which cathedrals did masons experiment with vaults?
9. How was Dover Castle in England an example of providing for personal security?
10. How did the sculptors of the Priory Church of Saint-Pierre at Moissac achieve variety in their
work?
Essay
1. Trace the stylistic development of the Romanesque church.
2. Investigate and describe the decoration of Romanesque churches.
3. Compare the use of religious imagery in illuminated manuscripts and codices.
4. Examine the purposes, subjects, and iconography of sculpture in wood and bronze.
5. Compare the purpose and function of secular architecture to that of Romanesque monasteries.