[Republicanprofessor]

Here we go again. This is the second in this new chronological series of art history, from the beginning of time on. I have made this pretty specific because I realize that some FReepers use this for home-schooling. (Although one should really have a real art history text to accompany this, and to see more great works of the time.)

Let me know what you like and why. This is probably one of the lectures that is least open to comment, but I hope that's not true. There are certainly no Mapplethorpe-type controversies. But I do hope you have questions and comments anyway.

[Republicanprofessor]

Art Appreciation/Education ping.

Let me know if you want on or off this list.

[bert]

please add me to your ping list

I failed the art quizzes provided by the FReeper Liz.

Thanks for sharing with us.

[martin_fierro]

Dunno if this qualifies as Romanesque art, but I know what I like.

[Bahbah]

I found this by accident, happily. Please put me on your list. I have been to some of the places you featured and am having a bout of nostalgia. I thoroughly enjoyed this lesson.

[gobucks]

bump

[SteveH]

I got the impression that Chartres also marked the transition between Romanesque and Gothic. The facade is part Romanesque, since (I believe) it may have been re-used from an earlier Romanesque church on the same site. Also unique to the sculptures on the outer walls of Chartes are the alleged clues to the location of the Ark of the Covenant, mentioned in Graham Hancock's book, The Sign and the Seal. When I was there a few years ago, much of the outside was not able to be viewed due to restoration scaffolding. However, the book checked out with what I could see of the sculptures. Also when driving to Chartres from Paris one sees it in the distance long before the other buildings in the town-- it is very prominent in its setting, no doubt reflecting its relative importance all the way back to medieval society.

At Notre Dame, it is interesting to visit the towers, where you can see that they are partially constructed of massive wooden beams (to save weight over stone).

I am under the impression that the difference between English Gothic and French Gothic is the color of the glass. The French used much more blues and reds than the English. In many French cathedrals, the glass was taken down during WWI and again during WWII to protect it from being destroyed by war.

St. Denis remains on my list of places to visit in the future when I get a chance.

[Sam Cree]

You posted some beautiful photographs, RP.

Yes, IMO, the analogy between Christian abstract and 20th century abstract is apt, ironic as it may seem.

I find a wonderful combination of delicacy, ethereality and solidity in Gothic architecture, I truly love it. Been to Winchester, Salisbury, Rheims, Notre Dame and Chartres, though it's been years. They left an impression on me. Knowing a little of the history of those places and the events and culture of the time makes them all the more fascinating.

OTOH, I'm just (re)learning Romanesque, after inadvertantly posting an example, so thank you so much for the thread!

[TradicalRC]

I would also recommend the book Cathedral by David Macauley as well as his other books.