Pre-Romanesque art and architecture

The pre-Romanesque period in European art spans the years from the emergence of the Merovingian kingdom around 500 AD (or from the Carolingian Renaissance in the late-8th century) to the beginning of the Romanesque period in the 11th century. During this time, artists and builders combined ideas from old classical Mediterranean and Early Christian styles with Germanic traditions, creating new and exciting designs.

In most western Europe, people kept building structures in the style of ancient Rome even after the collapse of the Roman empire. The Franks continued to construct big stone buildings such as monastery churches and palaces. Under leaders like Clovis I, many new churches and monasteries were built, becoming important centers of learning and faith.

As time passed, the Merovingian dynasty was replaced by the Carolingian dynasty in 752 AD. This brought about new styles known as Carolingian architecture and later Ottonian architecture in East Francia. All these efforts helped shape what would become Romanesque architecture in the following centuries.

Examples of Frankish buildings

Merovingian, Carolingian and Ottonian architecture produced many important buildings. Some of these structures include the Baptistère de Riez, built over several centuries, and Fréjus Cathedral from around 450 AD. Other notable examples are the Crypt of Saint-Laurent Grenoble and Aix Cathedral, which features a baptistery constructed by the Merovingians.

More buildings from this time include Baptistère Saint-Jean, the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Jouarre Abbey. Later structures such as the Palatine Chapel in Aachen and the Imperial Palace, Ingelheim showcase the architectural styles of the period. Other important sites are St. Michael's Church in Hildesheim and Mainz Cathedral, which began construction in the late 10th century.

Imperial styles

Carolingian art

Main articles: Carolingian art and Carolingian architecture

Carolingian art lasted about 120 years, from around 780 to 900, during the rule of Charlemagne and his successors, known as the Carolingian Renaissance. This time was very important because it brought new ideas from Roman art to northern Europe. Artists also created fresh styles, like detailed drawings of people that influenced later work. Carolingian churches were usually shaped like Roman basilicas and often had special western sections called westworks, which inspired later church designs. One famous example of a surviving westwork is at the Abbey of Corvey, built in 885.

Ottonian art

Main articles: Ottonian art and Ottonian architecture

From 936 to 1056, during the rule of the three Saxon emperors named Otto, the Holy Roman Empire saw a new burst of art called Ottonian art. This period brought together ideas from ancient Rome, the Carolingian period, and even faraway places, creating beautiful new works. Artists in this time made stunning books with painted pages, called illuminated manuscripts, often supported by emperors and church leaders. These books were some of the most admired artworks of the era.

Regional styles

British Isles

Main articles: Anglo-Saxon art and Anglo-Saxon architecture

Before King Alfred, the main art style in England was from the Hiberno-Saxon culture. This mixed Anglo-Saxon and Celtic styles. After the Viking invasions, this style mostly ended. From King Alfred onward, called the Anglo-Saxon period, English culture revived until the early 12th century when Romanesque art began. Today, we know Anglo-Saxon art mostly from illuminated manuscripts and metalwork.

Croatia

Main article: Croatian Pre-Romanesque art and architecture

In the 7th century, the Croats moved to the area where they live today. The first Croatian churches were royal places of worship. Roman art had the strongest influence in a place called Dalmatia. Over time, new building styles developed. These churches were built with rough stones and thick layers of mortar. Some important examples include the Church of Holy Salvation and the Church of the Holy Cross, Nin. The largest church from this time is Saint Donatus in Zadar. The decorations on these churches often used patterns from Roman art and sometimes included Bible scenes. Later, writing changed from Glagolitic to Latin.

France

After the Carolingian Empire ended, France split into many regions. Without strong leadership, art developed in different ways in each place, especially around big monasteries. Important centers included the monastery of Saint Bertin, Saint Vaast, monastery of Saint Martial in Limoges, and others like Albi, Figeac, and Saint-Sever-de-Rustan in Gascony. In Paris, a style grew at the abbey of Saint Germain-des-Prés. In Normandy, a new style began around 975.

Italy

See also: Lombard Romanesque

In southern Italy, different groups like the Byzantines, Arabs, and Normans shared ideas. In the north, the Carolingians had more control. The Normans in Sicily asked Byzantine artists to decorate churches like Monreale and Cefalù Cathedrals with beautiful mosaics. They also made important paintings and books.

Spain and Portugal

Main article: Iberian pre-Romanesque art and architecture

The first Pre-Romanesque style in Spain and Portugal was Visigothic art, which introduced horse-shoe arches used later in Moorish architecture. After the Moors arrived, Pre-Romanesque art survived mainly in the Kingdom of Asturias. Christians living under Moorish rule, called the Mozarabs, created their own style called Mozarabic art. The best-preserved Visigothic building in Portugal is the Saint Frutuoso Chapel in Braga.