Romanesque Art and Craftsmanship in Central Europe, 900-1300: Artistic Aspects of the Style

As a sequel to the analysis of Romanesque church architecture as the Heavenly Jerusalem on earth, this book reviews the embellishing cloister arts during the Romanesque period in Central Europe. This book discusses the work in textiles, ivory, wood, precious metals, bronze, and illuminated manuscripts. Pertinent illustrations stress the themes common to those media, suggesting that the craftsmen knew one another's work. Some may have worked in more than one medium. Circumstances tended to preserve religious works. The book rests on the extensive use of detailed illustrative objects and images in their historical, spiritual and intellectual contexts. The surviving wealth of Romanesque artifacts and images is so extensive, that only an eclectic treatment is possible. The artistry is of such high quality that one readily considers these objects of art as symbols of ethereal value. Thematically, many of the images are linked with underlying texts in typological and Christological relationships, clarifying the Scriptures as texts by other means. Owing to their perishable, organic nature, some of the media, such as textiles and wood were more vulnerable to decay. Others have survived the centuries despite neglect and abuse. The work in precious metals, amplified by gem encrustation has suffered, as some objects were melted down to provide the raw material for new works, and as semi-precious stones, gems and pearls were looted. In later times of need, the confiscation of these treasures was a convenient means to replenish the coffers of the state, while bronzes helped satisfy the need for armaments.
About the Author: Herbert Schutz, Professor Emeritus at Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, was motivated to write these books because of a general gap in the English literature of Romanesque Art and Craftsmanship concerning Central Europe. The area of the Medieval Empire is a relative orphan. Although there are numerous books dealing with this period of the Medieval Empire, artistic considerations are to be found mainly in German publications. A comprehensive volume in English which also treats pertinent textiles, ivory, precious metals as well as bronze and wood carving appears not to exist. Herbert Schutz's major publications include: o The Prehistory of Germanic Europe (Yale University Press, New Haven & London 1983) o The Romans in Central Europe (Yale University Press, New Haven & London 1985) o The Germanic Realms in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe, 400-750 (Peter Lang, New York, Bern, Frankfurt am Main 2000) o Tools, Weapons and Ornaments, Germanic Material Culture in Pre-Carolingian Central Europe, 400-750 (Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, Boston, Koln 2001) o The Carolingians in Central Europe, their History, Arts and Architecture: A Cultural History of Central Europe, 750-900 (Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, Boston 2004) o The Medieval Empire in Central Europe: Dynastic Continuity in the Post-Carolingian Frankish Realm, 900-1300 (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle Upon Tyne 2010) o Mystic Women and Lyric Poets in Medieval Society: The Literary View of Medieval Culture during the Romanesque Period, 900-1300 (Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier 2010) o Romanesque Architecture and its Artistry in Central Europe, 900-1300 (Cambridge Scholars Publishng, Newcastle Upon Tyne 2011)