Romanesque Architechture and Art

When the Romans first founded Barcelona, it only served as a semi-important military stronghold and post. Today, the city has become the second-largest city in Spain and it remains home to lots of Romanesque buildings, artifacts, and art. I feel very lucky to be in a Spanish art course this semester because I recognize Roman influence now that I know what to look for in the city! Now, I see the intention behind nearly every building and piece of art from these time periods; what was the artist trying to convince their audience? What values did the Romans try to imbue in this structure/art? What time period(s) are represented based on these details? With the Romans, there's always some indoctrinating message behind every artistic and architectural detail because Roman's priority was pragmatics and propaganda.

The Romans named Barcelona Barcino and applied their basic city -structure to the area including a forum (city center), temples (later converted to basilicas when Romans become Christians), public baths, theatres, surrounding city walls, as well as their grid-style street structure with both a cardo maximus (North-South main street) and decamanus maximus (West-East main street). The Romans were first influenced by Greek architecture such as temples, amphitheaters, and city centers. The Romans adopted and expanded upon the Greek styles like their post and lintel system and doric/ionic columns. Romans added tuscan, corinthian, composite columns and utilized the arch and vault system for their buildings. When Roman temples became basilicas they adopted a uniform layout including an apse, transept, and nave/aisles lining the buildings' body. These Roman inventions permitted the erection of the most complex and stunning structures of any previous empire. Many of these triumphs continue to draw visitors such as the aqueduct of Segovia, the amphitheater of Tarragona, and countless basilicas. In addition to architecture, the Romans created very intentionally art and sculptures.

To exemplify the classic principles of Romanesque style art, my Spanish art class traveled to Barcelona's MNAC (Museau National d'Arte de Catalunya). The MNAC is home to art from Roman to modern times. For our purposes, we examined important pieces that came from the Pyrennes churches between 1919-1923. At the MNAC, we focused on the famous Roman fresco once in an aspe of a basilica entitled, "Christ in Majesty of Sant Climent the Taüll." This fresco is loaded with intimidating imagery, reflecting how the Romans first used art and Christianity as behavioral propaganda expressing the power of the Roman empire and church. The fresco symbolizes the Christian values of divinity, judgment, and all-mighty power. For example, the angles' wings are covered in eyes, evoking a sense of being watched as you approach your judgment day. When standing in front of the fresco, you feel small at the feet of an enormous representation of Jesus with a stern expression. Additionally, alpha and omega symbols are placed to the left and right of him suggesting he is watching from the beginning to the end of time. Frescos, such as this one, are incredibly impressive because they must are painted immediately after applying plaster to the surface. For this reason, Roman fresco art of Roman is rarely realistic because the artist is forced to move quickly. Nonetheless, the colors and messages are still clear and bold, ensuring common people (mainly illiterate) understand the strength and importance of Jesus and the church.

The last artistic expression the Romans utilized for propaganda are their sculptures and busts. Mostly made of stone or marble, Roman sculptures are deeply rooted in Greek sculpture style. Greeks first created sculptures to honor athletes and Gods, thus using highly realistic and idealized styles. This realism transferred to the Romans and explains how the sculptures do not look like average people but more perfect or god-like. The Romans adopted a verist style (translating to "true") to sculptors to honor leaders, achievments, and other important people/events. These cultures were then displayed in public spaces as propaganda. Lineage and heritage were so critically important to Romans so sculptures, despite reality, would have whatever features past successful leaders had, to connote being related and to boost legitimacy. Overall, the Roman feats bear much meaning and bring a fascinating culture to the city of Barcelona today.