Tower (1045-1140 AD) and Apse dating from the late C14th
San Zeno Maggiore is a remarkable example of the Romanesque style of architecture. It originates in the C5th and was rebuilt in the C9th as a the church of a Benedictine monastry (of which the tower remains). It was later re-constructed in the early C11th and completed in the C13th and C14th centuries.
Detail to west portal executed by Maestro Nicolo and his pupil Guglielmo around 1135
San Zeno Maggiore is a remarkable example of the Romanesque style of architecture. It originates in the C5th and was rebuilt in the C9th as a the church of a Benedictine monastry (of which the tower remains). It was later re-constructed in the early C11th and completed in the C13th and C14th centuries.
Here's a few detail images to illustrate the wonderful Romanesque sculpture which is apparent on the Duomo in Verona.
Known as Santa Maria Matricolare, the cathedral was largely built in the C12th and has on most of its walls the characteristic brick banding of the Romanesque in northern Italy.
On the south portal is a wonderful series of sculptures which are showcased here. Verona is a gem for the Romanesque - just a mile away there is also the church of San Zeno which has some fantastic sculptures.
Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy as stock photography
Wonderful example of Romanesque (Norman) architecture
Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy as stock photography
Part of the lively sculpture at Kilpeck Church Herefordshire UK
There are some excellent examples of Romanesque architecture in the UK including Durham Cathedral, Kilpeck and Adel.
Here are all my Romanesque images
Here are images of Kilpeck Church (50% of sales of these images go to the Church)
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Stained glass window in the apse of Saint Mary and Saint Davids Kilpeck Herefordshire UK
You can purchase this image here
More images of Kilpeck here
More images of Romanesque architecture here
NAVE - The main central area or bay to a church (or Roman Basilica). Normally used in the liturgy for the congregation. The above example is at Kilpeck, Romanesque church in Herefordshire UK.
More images of Kilpeck
Romanesque is one of my favourite styles of architecture. It has a spirit and a liveliness all of its own. This style of architecture carried primarily in the C11th and C12th holds within its essence the classical forms of Rome and Athens as a distant foggy memory. The Renaissance is a few hundred years away and the lack of classical discipline has allowed a pungent, vibrant, mutated form of architecture to develop which has a vernacular feel. In my opinion it is a mongrel form of architecture and it is all the better for it. Thick set, heavy, rude and imposing.
The image above is described as a C12th Dragons Head with scrolled tongue. It has also been described as a Dolphin's head (its antecedent being the pagan sculptures of Roman mythology). Whatever it is, it has a dynamic feel with the scroll of the tongue encapsulated within the harsh curve of its mouth. What does it tell us of the people that sculpted it? Were they a passive people?
This image is of the Dragons Head on the former bell tower at St Edmundsbury Cathedral at Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.
If you like Romanesque architecture you can view more here
This image was taken in 2004 on a photographic trip down to Shrewsbury and Hereford. It is of a Sheela-na-gig corbel at Kilpeck Herefordshire.
Saint Mary and Saint David's Parish Church Kilpeck is a jewel of Romanesque sculpture. The exterior corbel table consists of 23 (originally 24) lively sculptures based upon worldly themes.
One such corbel is the Sheela-na-gig, often thought of as a fertility symbol. What is certain is that it is designed to have an impact and that it's form shows the influence of pagan symbolism on the Christian religion.
There are many theories as to why such symbolism was used and where the source of such imagery may have come from. Some think that the Bestiary is an influence. Others think that the ring of corbels is a symbolic worldly ring around the kingdom of God.
Whatever the source, it makes for striking imagery, even in today's secular world.
You can read all about the Romanesque sculpture at Kilpeck at the remarkable site entitled The Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland . On the site, look out for Ron Baxter's description of the Sheela- na-gig - its just as lively as the sculpture itself!
You can view all of my images of Kilpeck here
For a fascinating blog on church architecture see James Fielding's blog here
The Sheela-na-gig image is available as a print in the following formats:-
1. Framed Print
2. Poster
3. Greeting Card
4. Postcard
5. 2006 Calendar
