!!!Romanik
Romanesque: architectural and art period in Europe whose beginning
varies from region to region and cannot be exactly defined. In
Austria, the pre-Romanesque or early Romanesque period may be
associated with the French term "premier art roman", which
is otherwise mostly used for southern regions. Once the Hungarian
invasions had been overcome, a period of economic and cultural
prosperity equivalent to that under the Carolingians began under the
Babenberg family in the area of what are now Upper and Lower Austria,
under the family of the Otokars in Styria, and under the Eppenstein
and Sponheim families in Carinthia. Austrian early-Romanesque style
prevailed in the 11%%sup th/% century; mature Romanesque developed in
the 12%%sup th/% century and was followed by the late Romanesque
style, which was increasingly influenced by early Gothic forms.
During the Romanesque period, Austria was influenced by different,
often contradictory, western and southern architectural and artistic
currents. Whereas the Reform of Hirsau had an important impact on
Styria, Carinthia and the province of Salzburg, the architectural and
artistic styles in Lower and Upper Austria were marked by Cistercian
conceptions. An important artistic tradition dating from
pre-Romanesque times continued to exist in the province of Salzburg.
Local developments over longer periods of time can also be observed in
other regions.
\\
The new style was particularly promoted by the dioceses (Salzburg with
the dioceses of Gurk, Seckau, Brixen/Bressanone and Passau), and by
the monasteries and orders. In religious architecture, the
basilica-type church with a nave and two aisles, the central nave
rising considerably higher than the side aisles, was extended. The
aisles were connected through semicircular arcades, which were
supported either by piers ( Ossiach, first half of the 11%%sup th/%
century; Gurk, around 1140-1200; Millstatt, around 1060-1088;
Geras, after 1150) or by columns ( Seckau, from 1143-1164).
\\
The choirs, usually at the east end of the basilica, mostly have an
apse, or semicircular half-domed protrusion of the end wall, to
accommodate the altar; they were frequently built over vaulted
substructures (crypts) which served liturgical purposes and as burial
places. Whereas Goess has the oldest Romanesque crypt dating from the
early 11%%sup th/% century (around 1020), Gurk has the most beautiful
one (1140-1174, with 100 columns). The western façade of
important churches was often dominated by two mighty towers (Gurk,
around 1140-1200; Millstatt, around 1060-1088; St. Poelten,
consecrated in 1150). Lambach (consecrated in 1089), Nonnberg Abbey
in Salzburg (mid-11%%sup th/% century), Brixen/Bressanone
(South-Tyrol, second half of the 12%%sup th/% century), and the
castle chapel in Oberranna (1%%sup st/% half of the 12%%sup th/%
century) originally had a second choir at the west end of the church.
\\
The above-mentioned basilicas originally had naves with flat timber
ceilings, which were largely replaced by vaulted ceilings around 1100.
Klosterneuburg (1114-1136) and the Cathedral of Salzburg (with a nave
and four aisles; begun in 1181, the largest Romanesque building in
central Europe at that time) were both vaulted and had a transept and
central tower.
\\
The building activities of the Cistercians, who sympathized with the
Babenberg family and also maintained direct relations with Burgundy
and the French Romanesque, played a particularly important role in
Romanesque architecture. The pier-type basilica of Heiligenkreuz
(1135-1187) already had rectangular cross-rib vaults - the oldest in
Austria. A transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic promoted
by the Cistercians prevailed from the early 13%%sup th/% century and
found its most beautiful expression in the unique and richly decorated
cloisters of Zwettl (around 1210-1230), Heiligenkreuz (around
1220-1250) and Lilienfeld (around 1230). The cathedral of Wiener
Neustadt (13%%sup th/% century), St. Stephen´s Cathedral
(Heidentuerme and western gallery, consecrated in 1263),
Michaelerkirche in Vienna (around 1220-1250), and the Franciscan
church in Salzburg (early 13%%sup th/% century) are also marked by
this transitional style.
\\
Whereas most Romanesque monastic churches were completely rebuilt
(Melk, late 11%%sup th/% century; Goettweig, second half of the
11%%sup th/% century), small parish churches have been relatively
well preserved, except for the timber structures. Most of these parish
churches have one nave with a semicircular apse or a rectangular
chancel with a defensive tower (choir tower; e.g. St. Gertrud in
Klosterneuburg, after 1133; St. Marein bei Neumarkt, Styria, late
12%%sup th/% century). There are a few round churches left (e.g.
Scheiblingkirchen, Lower Austria, mid-12%%sup th/% century;
Petronell, first half of the 12%%sup th/% century). The round or
polygonal charnel houses with their subterranean ossuaries are
characteristic of Austria, e.g. in Hartberg (second half of the
12%%sup th/% century), Bad Deutsch-Altenburg (mid-13%%sup th/%
century), Tulln (mid-13%%sup th/% century), Moedling
(mid-13%%sup th/% century), and Pulkau (mid-13%%sup th/% century).
\\
Numerous villages and towns are worth mentioning with regard to their
secular buildings, which still determine the present urban fabric of
these places (e.g. Enns, around 1100; Wiener Neustadt, around 1200;
Bruck an der Leitha, second quarter of the 13%%sup th/% century;
Freistadt, around 1240). In some places the Romanesque ring wall with
its towers and gates has been preserved, particularly in Friesach
(late 13%%sup th/% century) and Hainburg an der Donau; the Wiener
Tor (Vienna gate, second half of the 13%%sup th/% century) and
Ungartor (Hungarian gate, around 1260) represent two of the most
important town gates that have been preserved from the Middle Ages.
Castle building was also highly developed in the Romanesque period.
Regularly structured moated castles, frequently surrounded by a ditch,
dominated in flat areas; near the eastern border these castles were
often four-sided with a rectangular courtyard enclosed by three wings
and a defensive wall (core of the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna,
last third of the 13%%sup th/% century; castle of Wiener Neustadt,
second half of the 13%%sup th/% century; Orth, Lower Austria,
mid-12%%sup th/% century). In mountainous areas, the most important
strategic points were defended by irregularly shaped castles that
conformed to the landscape (e.g. Castle Tirolo, South-Tyrol, first
half of the 12%%sup th/% century; Hohensalzburg, around 1077;
Petersberg in Friesach, around 1077-1130; Seebenstein, late
11%%sup th/% century; Rappottenstein, around 1170; Heidenreichstein,
around 1200; Lockenhaus, first half of the 13%%sup th/% century;
Guessing, second half of the 12%%sup th/% century). Surrounded by
defensive walls, these castles consist of the defensive keep (main
tower); the residential tract; and additional buildings. In general,
Romanesque buildings are characterized by massive ashlar masonry.
\\
Subordinated to architecture, sculpture in the Romanesque period
mainly served for the decoration of churches (outside the church on
portals, doorways, façades and apses; inside the church on
pillars and columns). Monumental sculpture is particularly beautifully
exemplified by the great semicircular relief compositions over church
portals, called tympanums, e.g. in Gurk (south portal, around 1150);
Millstatt (west portal, around 1170); in the charnel houses in
Mistelbach (around 1220/30); in the Franciscan church (around 1220)
and Peterskirche (St. Peter´s church; around 1244/45) in
Salzburg; and at the west and south gates of the Abbey of
St. Paul im Lavanttal (around 1260). A tympanum of the Virgin
Mary (around 1220/30; supposedly from the cathedral of Salzburg,
exhibited in the Museum Carolino Augusteum in Salzburg) is of
particular importance. The richly ornamented portal of
St. Stephen´s Cathedral in Vienna (Riesentor, around 1240)
is of similar importance, as are the portals of the charnel houses in
Tulln (mid-13%%sup th/% century) and Moedling (mid-13%%sup th/%
century), which were created in a workshop in Lower Austria. At the
same time, a transition from the block-capital to the finely carved
bud capital could be observed.
\\
Some scholars doubt the Romanesque origin of the rich decoration of
the apse of Schoengrabern (around 1210-30), which is unique in
Austria and which they believe might only date from the 16%%sup th/%
century.
\\
Apart from various ornamental decorations, figural sculptures of
symbolic character are displayed on the façades, apses and
transepts of other large churches as well, e.g. in St. Paul im
Lavanttal (around 1200-1220). The portal lions, for example,
symbolized the power of faith and of the Church, as well as defence
from the powers of evil (e.g. Schottenkloster (around 1200) and
Peterskirche (St. Peter´s church, second quarter of the
13%%sup th/% century) in Vienna; Kremsmuenster, mid-13%%sup th/%
century; Goettweig, around 1180/1200; Admont, around 1200).
\\
Individual reliefs are rare (e.g. in Millstatt, around 1170; parish
church of Wolfsberg im Lavanttal, mid-13%%sup th/% century; parish
church of Gobelsburg, late 11%%sup th/% century; on the outer south
wall of the Klosterneuburg Abbey church, late 12%%sup th/% century;
above the portal of the charnel house in Moedling, mid-13%%sup th/%
century; parish church of Sollenau, around 1200), as are individual
heads (façade of St. Stephen´s Cathedral in Vienna,
around 1240; west portal of the parish church in Wels, second half of
the 12%%sup th/% century; wall next to the charnel house in Hartberg,
first half of the 13%%sup th/% century).
\\
There are also some figural gravestones for bishops, abbots and noblemen (e.g. Duke Heinrich in Heiligenkreuz, around 1230; Bishop Walther of Gurk in Strassburg, Carinthia, around 1200-1213; Otto I in Gurk,
d. 1214; an unknown abbot in Viktring, around 1150/55; Duke Friedrich
der Streitbare ("the Bold", in Heiligenkreuz, d. 1246).
\\
In addition to stone sculptures, several wood carvings, particularly
crucifixes, have survived (displayed in the Salzburg Museum Carolino
Augusteum, around 1160; from Ludesch, displayed in the provincial
museum of Vorarlberg (Vorarlbergisches Landesmuseum), around 1170;
Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg, around 1160/70; Hoellein near Friesach,
around 1170/80; Goess, around 1180). The most ancient work of figural
art preserved in Austria dates from the late 11%%sup th/% century:
the Crucifixion relief of Ried im Traungau (Upper Austria, exhibited
in the provincial museum of Upper Austria (Oberoesterreichisches
Landesmuseum)). The great Crucifixion groups of the collegiate church
in Seckau have also been preserved (auxiliary figures, second half of
the 12%%sup th/% century; the Corpus Christi, originally part of it;
what is called the "Gaaler Kruzifix", displayed in the
Ferdinandeum in Innsbruck; the Crucifix which now is in Seckau dates
from the period around 1200-1220); and the collegiate churches of
Innichen und Sonnenburg in South Tyrol. Numerous carved statues of the
Virgin Mary (e.g. in the Joanneum in Graz, first half of the
13%%sup th/% century; Stadtmuseum Krems an der Donau, around 1220;
Freistadt, mid-13%%sup th/% century; Peterskirche
(St. Peter´s church) in Friesach, around 1200); figures of
saints are rare (e.g. archbishop of Weitra, Stadtmuseum Krems an der
Donau, late 12%%sup th/% century). The reliefs on the door wings of
the Cathedral of Gurk (around 1220/30) are among the most important
wood carvings. Romanesque sculpture was characterised by manifold
influences from Bavaria, the area of Friaul/Friuli and Northern Italy
as well as from Southern France and Northern Spain.
\\
Similar influences may be observed in Romanesque painting.
Approximately 50 Austrian churches display remains of notable
Romanesque frescoes, particularly in Styria and Carinthia; whereas
there are numerous fragments of frescoes in Lower Austria, remains of
frescoes in Burgenland, Tyrol and Vorarlberg are less important. The
most important fresco cycle dating from the 11%%sup th/% century was
discovered in Lambach in 1960 (Upper Austria, last third of the
11%%sup th/% century). Remarkable frescoes dating from the
12%%sup th/% and 13%%sup th/% centuries are found in Friesach
(Church of the Teutonic Order, mid-12%%sup th/% and mid-13%%sup th/%
centuries); Puergg (around 1160-1165); Salzburg (Nonnberg Abbey,
mid-12%%sup th/% century); Maria Woerth (Winterkirche, late
11%%sup th/% century); Nauders (St. Leonhard chapel, first half
of the 12%%sup th/% century); Mariapfarr (around 1220); and Matrei in
East Tyrol (St. Nikolaus, 13%%sup th/% century). In the
13%%sup th/% century the figures became more lively and soulful;
early Gothic was initiated by what is called the Zackenstil (e.g.
western gallery of the Cathedral of Gurk, 1260/70; bishop´s
chapel in Goess, around 1280; Seckau, around 1280; Krems an der Donau,
around 1280). Romanesque stained glass and manuscript illumination
were as important as mural painting.
\\
In fact, many specimens of Romanesque decorative art have survived and
been preserved in Austria. Numerous works of art that had been
imported to Austria bear witness to the various cultural and political
relations maintained by Austria in the Romanesque period. The famous
Verdun Altar, created in 1181 for Klosterneuburg, and the remains of
an enamel cross (around 1160, Austrian Museum of Applied Art) bear
witness to enamelwork from the region of Lorraine and Meuse. The
"Wilten Chalice" (1160/70, Kunsthistorisches Museum); the
wheel cross (flabellum) of Kremsmuenster Abbey (around 1170/80), the
Vorau portable altar (around 1160/70, Austrian Museum of Applied Art)
and a crucifixion panel in Linz (around 1160/70; Oberoesterreichisches
Landesmuseum) are products of Lower Saxon goldsmithery. The
seven-branched candelabrum of Klosterneuburg Abbey (first half of the
12%%sup th/% century) was produced in Verona. Melk Abbey displays a
portable altar from the Lower Rhine Valley (second half of the
11%%sup th/% century); Goettweig Abbey has a Lorrainese candle stick
(late 12%%sup th/% century); and Klosterneuburg Abbey displays two
reliquaries from Limoges (early 13%%sup th/% century).
\\
In Austrian decorative arts Salzburg was the leading centre of
Romanesque Goldsmithery (e.g. chalices and reliquary crosses). Among
the most important Austrian objects are a portable altar from Salzburg
(late 12%%sup th/% century, Dioezesanmuseum Klagenfurt); the
"Zwettl Cross" (early 13%%sup th/% century, collection of
the Zwettl Abbey); a folding chair from Salzburg, found at Admont
Abbey (first half of the 13%%sup th/% century, now in the Austrian
Museum of Applied Art); liturgical vestments (e.g. "Goesser
Ornat", between 1239 and 1269, Austrian Museum of Applied Art);
crucifixes and iron door mountings.
!Literature
P. von Baldass, W. Buchowiecki and W. Mrazek,
Romanische Kunst in Oesterreich, 1962; R. Milesi, Romanische und
ritterliche Grabplastik Kaernten, 1963; Romanische Kunst in
Oesterreich, exhibition catalogue, Krems 1964; 1000 Jahre Babenberger
in Oesterreich, exhibition catalogue, Lilienfeld 1976; O. Mazal,
Buchkunst der Romanik, 1978; G. Biedermann and W. van der Kallen,
Romanik in Oesterreich, 1990.
%%language
[Back to the Austrian Version|AEIOU/Romanik|class='wikipage austrian']
%%
[{FreezeArticle author='AEIOU' template='Lexikon_1995_englisch'}]
[{ALLOW view All}][{ALLOW comment All}][{ALLOW edit FreezeAdmin}]