Nicholas of Verdun - Romanesque Period

Romanesque Period

Color during the Romanesque period was the dearest to the Romanesque patrons of the arts. This made the use of enameling ideal during this time period. Translucent glaze was a new addition in art which epitomized what was perhaps the most deeply felt urge in aesthetics of the high Middle Ages. This was particularly popular in the West. Artists were using it to develop a sense of mystic appeal particularly through jewellery, and enameling was considered to have the closest resemblance to the Byzantine mosaics. From this, preoccupation with the Byzantine forms of the 12th century were evident in the work and the Middle Ages ended up transitioning towards the approach of classical antiquity from a background of abstract and stylized art.( Myers & Copplestone 1985, 369) There were two suggestions regarding the artists signatures in this period one was to suggest that they were intended as requests for prayer from spectators on behalf of the artists, so as to assist them to gain eternal salvation and secondly signatures were indicators either of social status of the artist or of the civic pride of the organization that had obtained the artist’s service. (Petzold 1995, 25-28)

Through various arts in Western Europe during the Romanesque period metalwork occupied central significance. Metalwork at this time was considered as an art form and its purpose was what granted its significance in the art world. The objects made were most intriguing and innovative and its presence served a great significance in altars and reliquaries of great churches. Prestigious figures would show off their wealth and power through a vehicle of grand vessels made out of precious materials and Romanesque patrons and people were highly religious and superstitious and as a sign to show off their hierarchy and pomp they used precious materials to determine that. Architecture, such as churches and reliquaries served the same purpose which was to house the relics and throughout the Romanesque period people realized that churches and reliquaries were the same thing. Today we have very few reliquary caskets that have survived from the 12th century. But the system of aches during the Romanesque period particularly on reliquaries and churches grew grander in order to remind the people of the secret events and their meaning. These ideals and ways continued through the Gothic period and in many ways Romanesque art was considered to be an incomplete version that transitioned into the Gothic period. (Myers & Copplestone 1985, 351-352)