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Writer's pictureBhuwit Chaiyarit

Stainless glass in Romanesque art


Paintings of the Romanesque period

Painting in the Romanesque period had a pronounced development, as the vast area of flat walls was suitable for decorative purposes. Therefore, painting is also a work of art after architecture. Visitors are quickly treated to the religious paintings when they enter the building, making the use of the paintings a valuable resource.


The obvious Eastern influence through Byzantine art can be seen in the lack of perspective. Plain color Symmetrical composition, the strength of the figures, and the emptiness and expression on their faces, which often show their surprised glints. Another element is the prominent front part of the figure, which strengthens communication with the audience.

The technique used is Fresco.

- Catalan Romanesque churches that use bright colors and abstract motifs with symbolic meanings.

- Churches in Italy, which depict religious scenes, have demonstrated a genuine commitment to copying nature with devotion.

It is a painting created to decorate and propagate religion. So, the topic revolves around those themes. The images of these drawings become an intellectual communication tool.


The paintings aim to explain religious stories and beauty and reinforce a clear understanding through storytelling. Use a simple visualization supported by dark, contrasting colors. As well as outline, black lines contrast with the background as simple as possible. Romanesque painting therefore has two important characteristics. One is symbolic, and the other is descriptive.



General characteristics of Romanesque painting

- Used to emphasize religious messages by expressing anti-naturalistic reality

- Clear intention to present facts through simple explanations of the Holy Word.

- Have a strong religious content through gestures.

- Increase the expression of emotions through the direct angle of the person.

- Use bright and vibrant colors.

- Use hierarchy of space.

- Use a drawing pattern that helps to express meaning clearly.

- Emphasis on the use of two important themes: The Virgin and the Christ Pantokrator (in Christianity, it means a specific depiction of Christ) and the Old or New Testament narrative.

- Symmetrical elements.

- View of Tolomeo (outline)

- Hierarchy and strength of a person that increases the formality or seriousness of religious themes.


Stainless glass in Romanesque art

Stainless glass in this era was also a form of support for religious propaganda, taking advantage of the possibility of telling biblical stories with powerful media, using light coming in from the outside of the building through the glass windows that were decorated with a powerful force. This colorful and beautiful window is a visually appealing element that creates an overwhelming feeling for the viewer. At the same time, it presents a direct message, which is driven to effectively express the passion and love of religious characters.

The use of cellars makes it possible to create large internal spaces. Buildings are usually built entirely of stone, but since the roof is heavy, the walls must be very thick to prevent deflection. Strong walls also mean fewer windows. Therefore, the interior of the Romanesque church often looks dim and feels like a fortress. For this reason, a single source of natural light is very important, and since these lights are very dark in color, it is difficult to lose sight of them.

Early Romanesque stained glass was influenced by linear layout. It emphasizes frontality, which is also found in Byzantine art. Most church windows display important figures with a few floors (one row is placed on top and another row behind). In the rhombus group.

The stained glass technique of the Romanesque period produced an important art form, the origin of the magnificent stained glass windows of the Gothic period. The beauty of stained glass can still be admired in buildings built in the early Middle Ages. It shows the ability of artisans who use important skills to work inherited from Byzantine times and passed on from generation to generation.


Radical or sudden changes in political, social and religious conditions over different periods affected the survival of stained glass, beginning in the sixteenth century. This caused a lot of deterioration and destruction of those exquisite mirrors.


This powerful art form continued to be widely used by the Gothic style. It is difficult to think of these days in those religious buildings that do not have the image of stained glass windows immediately coming to our mind. Although stained glass making was a technique that was lost for a while, it was replaced by a new technique of painting glass windows in the Renaissance


origin: http://arthistorysummerize.info/ArtHistory/romanesque-glass-windows/#:~:text=The%20stained%20glass%20technique%20in,windows%20of%20the%20ghotic%20period

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