Romanesque Tympanum Sculptures

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how during the Romanesque period of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the tympanum became the most popular site for sculpture. It looks at how nearly all of Romanesque sculpture is intimately tied into architectural structures because images in the round were shunned by the church, perhaps as being too representational and bordering on idolatry. The paper also examines how the most popular theme for tympanum sculptures during this era was The Last Judgement as well as other scenes from the "New Testament" book of "Revelations".

From the Paper:

"One of the earliest and most famous depictions of the Last Judgement in Romanesque art is found in Moissac at the Church of St. Pierre . Here, Christ is surrounded by the four symbols of the Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as an Angel, a Lion, an Ox, and an Eagle), two angels with scrolls, as well as twenty-four elders (who appear during the apocalypse representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles and are often shown with harps or other instruments). The theme of the twenty-four elders comes from Revelations 4:4 which states "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. " The theme of the four Evangelists comes from Revelations 4:6&7 which state "And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anonymous, Apocalypse!, PBS and Frontline video, WGBH educational foundation, 1995 - 2006.
• Anonymous. Comprehensive Survey of Romanesque Architecture. Winchester, Massachusetts. The University Prints, 1984.
• Chrichton, G.H. Romanesque Sculpture in Italy. London. Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1954.
• Hearn, M. F. Romanesque Sculpture. Ithaca, New York. Cornell University Press, 1981.
• The Holy Bible King James Version Gift & Award Bible, Revised. Zondervan, 2002.

More papers on Romanesque Tympanum Sculptures:

• Term Paper # 146252 : "Romanesque Art and "The Last Judgment"
• Research Paper # 122630 : "Donnatello Sculptures"
• Essay # 34741 : "Romanesque Art"

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