Givans, Duncan Blair Cameron (2001) English Romanesque tympana : a study of architectural sculpture in church portals c.1050-c.1200. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis presents a study of the use made of tympana in English Romanesque
portals and the evidence they offer for religious, social and cultural expression in village
churches where the vast majority of examples are preserved. In order to achieve this a
significant proportion of the analysis has been addressed to the manner in which people
may have interpreted what they saw. For the convenience of the reader basic descriptions
of all examples noted during the course of the research and details of manorial and patronal
circumstances are given as the Handlist in Volume 2.
The first two chapters establish the parameters of the research, outline the social
and religious environment during the period, and the art historical principles underpinning
the research. Chapter III examines the distribution of examples in geographical terms and
the use made of tympana in different categories of building. In chapter IV the structural
and compositional formulation of tympana is analysed and the use made of geometric
ornament. Chapter V assesses images of Christ and the relationship between these and the
representation of power. Chapter VI examines other human figural iconography through
the categories of figure-types depicted. The subject of chapter VII is the use of
compositional types as a means to assess the use made of beast imagery.
The thesis demonstrates for the first time in a systematic and quantified manner
that tympana are a significant feature of English Romanesque portals and that a strong
decorative character is shared by all tympana, thus contributing to the adornment of the
house of God in a befitting manner. It argues that the iconography was composed so as to
ensure the utility of the images as a focus for devotion for a wide variety of audiences and
as a means of expressing social values, particularly through the relationship between the
figures depicted and the representation of temporal power. The thesis also confirms that
the religion presented by examples with figural sculpture is centred on the authority of God
and the saints and on iconic symbols, rather than exemplars for emulation, reflecting the
conservative nature of devotion in local communities. The thesis therefore raises
important issues in relation to our understanding of portals as architectural features, the
expression of religious devotion and social values in local communities during the period,
and the use of portals in the practice of religious devotion.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity N Fine Arts > NA Architecture
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Tympana (Architecture) -- Great Britain, Doorways, Romanesque -- Great Britain, Church architecture -- Great Britain, Christian art and symbolism -- Medieval, 500-1500
Official Date:	July 2001
Dates:	Date Event July 2001 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of History of Art
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Sponsors:	Henry Moore Foundation ; British Archaeological Association ; University of Warwick. Dept. of History of Art ; Windle Charitable Trust
Extent:	viii, 307, iv, 190, xv, [250] leaves
Language:	eng

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