Romanesque Architecture by Hans Erich Kubach - Book Report/Review Example

Romanesque Architecture by Hans Erich Kubach Hans Erich Kubach is the famed author of “Romanesque Architecture” who was one of the best experts in this field of study. Kubach’s “Romanesque Architecture” served to attract critical attention in the realm of architecture because Historians who had great interest in medieval art strongly felt that this book could be a useful addition to the existing literature on the subject of architecture. This book by Kubach aroused significant interest for other reasons too. For example, the fact that the book was written by a well known scholar and edited by an architect who was quite famous gained much publicity. ‘Romanesque’ as described in the American Heritage Dictionary, is the style of European architecture that comprised of both Roman and Byzantine elements present during the 11th and 12th centuries. These elements included simple ornamentation with solid walls and round arches. This style also represented the kind of sculpture and painting that reflected this period. In this essay, we would be comparing two authors Hans Erich Kubach and Raymond Oursel (1967) and discuss their views on the subject of Romanesque Architecture. During the 10th and 11th centuries of Medieval Europe, monasticism flourished and therefore bigger churches became a necessity for housing the monks, priests and pilgrims who paid homage to the relics of the saint. In order to safeguard themselves against fires, timber constructions were replaced with masonry constructions. Some of the common features of Romanesque architecture included arched windows, doors and arcades, massive walls and piers and groin or barrel vaults that supported the roof of the nave, huge towers and decorated arcades. Kubach’s book comprises of concise yet comprehensive material comprising of clear illustrations, floor plans, diagrams and also has material in the area of reconstruction, which makes it a highly suitable text for students of architecture. Its pages are filled with different examples of topical architecture by way of pictures, photos, plans, axonometric view, elevations spanning over the most significant areas. “Romanesque Architecture” was also quite sought after because it belonged to an important series and was published by a very well known publisher. Though the book received much publicity, unfortunately it did not realize the goals it set out to explain and therefore fell short on several accounts. The primary problem with this book lay in its conception. Kubach was faced with a large body of material and attempted to go about it in a systematic and convincing manner. In order to achieve this he chose and adopted a traditional schema by which he felt he could do justice. To achieve this Kubach divided the book into chapters such as “Pre- Romanesque Architecture” “Early Romanesque Architecture and so on and this was one point that came in for a lot of criticism. Raymond Oursel (1967) in his book titled Living Architecture: Romanesque which is a 192 page book published by Grosset & Durlap in 1967, sheds light on many aspects of Romanesque architecture which gives its readers a deep insight on the subject. Oursel explains that generally, free communication of our predecessors with regard to modern architecture and the architecture of the past was missing and even up to the 19th century architects hardly paid any attention to the architecture of earlier periods, but sought to pursue their own styles and approaches which set them apart (Raymond Oursel, 1967, pg.3) They focused their attention on what they wanted to do rather than applying ‘formal applications of scientific theorems or accomplished working drawings.’ (Raymond Oursel, 1967, pg. 87) According to Oursel, builders found solutions based on suitability and usage and improved upon them. (Raymond Oursel, 1967, pg. 87) Their structures are influenced and inspired by their own individual inherited tastes. We see these qualities reflected in a dislike for waste, the use of innovative practicality and a great preference for security rather than unnecessary expensive structures. (Raymond Oursel, 1967, pg. 175) In fact, it could be said that all the facets of Romanesque Architecture seeks to follow a few simple rules and regulations which serves to keep it on well organized lines. Jacques Rouiller is the photographer while the illustrator is Jean Duret whose pictures are very interesting and goes with the textual material. The editor of this book is Henri Stierlin who has made the presentation both crisp as well as attractive. Raymond Oursel, (1967) sheds light on the Abbey Church which holds great significance in Romanesque architecture. He explains how the regional technical skills of the workers were exploited to a great extent which resulted in its own unique design and pattern. Oursel further explains how the architect took the liberty of lowering the quadrant – vaulted galleries in addition to the keystones of the arches in order to ensure direct lighting for the nave. This original synthesis lead to a fully rounded aperture and is believed to be one of the most logical frameworks for such Romanesque constructions. Raymond Oursel, (1967, pg. 66).Giving us an example of the Abbey Church at Cluny, Oursel explains that most of the Abbey churches followed definitive plans and made use of systemized vaulting, galleried aisles and had direct lighting for the naves which are completely roofed with cylindrical vaults. (pg. 186) Kubach’s book on Romanesque architecture resulted from fifty years of travel, study and research across almost all the European countries that had Romanesque style of construction. He also explains about the reconstruction of the Abbeys and churches that were destroyed. He gives details about the frescoes present on the piers of the Abbey and how they were restored by painting them during the restoration of the original nave. (Kubach, Romanesque Architecture, Pg. 57) Conclusion Both the authors have their own unique style and methods for collecting data and information and presenting different issues. Both these books represent their own viewpoints of Romanesque Architecture but Kubach’s book is quite exhaustive yet interesting. Oursel’s book gives us a lot of detail about the subject but is not so long drawn out like Kubach’s. However, both authors had presented us with exceptional detail using illustrations, maps and photographs which helps us to get a good idea of Romanesque architecture. References Hans Erich Kubach, Romanesque Architecture (History of Architecture, ed. Pier Luigi Nervi), New York, Abrams, Pp. 431; 437 ills. Raymond Oursel (1967) Living Architecture Romanesque. Publisher: Oldbourne, New York: Read More