Editing Romanesque architecture (section)

====Murals====
The large wall surfaces and plain curving vaults of the Romanesque period lent themselves to mural decoration. Many of these early wall paintings have been destroyed by damp or the walls have been replastered and painted over. In most of Northern Europe such pictures were systematically destroyed in bouts of [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] [[iconoclasm]]. In other countries they have suffered from war, neglect and changing fashion.

A classic scheme for the full painted decoration of a church, derived from earlier examples often in [[mosaic]], had, as its focal point in the [[semi-dome]] of the apse, [[Christ in Majesty]] or Christ the Redeemer enthroned within a [[mandorla]] and framed by the four winged beasts, symbols of the [[Four Evangelists]], comparing directly with examples from the gilt covers or the illuminations of [[Gospel Book]]s of the period. If the [[Virgin Mary]] was the dedicatee of the church, she might replace Christ here. On the apse walls below would be saints and apostles, perhaps including narrative scenes, for example of the saint to whom the church was dedicated. On the sanctuary arch were figures of apostles, prophets or the twenty-four "[[Elders of the Apocalypse]]", looking in towards a bust of Christ, or his symbol the Lamb, at the top of the arch. The north wall of the nave would contain narrative scenes from the Old Testament, and the south wall from the New Testament. On the rear west wall would be a [[Doom paintings|Doom painting]] or [[Last Judgement]], with an enthroned and judging Christ at the top.<ref>James Hall, ''A History of Ideas and Images in Italian Art'', p. 154, 1983, John Murray, London, {{ISBN|0-7195-3971-4}}</ref>

One of the most intact schemes to exist is that at [[Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe|Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe]] in France. <small>(See picture above under "Vault")</small> The long barrel vault of the nave provides an excellent surface for fresco, and is decorated with scenes of the [[Old Testament]], showing the [[Genesis creation myth|Creation]], the [[Adam and Eve|Fall of Man]] and other stories including a lively depiction of [[Noah's Ark]] complete with a fearsome figurehead and numerous windows through with can be seen the Noah and his family on the upper deck, birds on the middle deck, while on the lower are the pairs of animals. Another scene shows with great vigour the swamping of Pharaoh's army by the Red Sea. The scheme extends to other parts of the church, with the martyrdom of the local saints shown in the crypt, and [[Apocalypse]] in the narthex and Christ in Majesty. The range of colours employed is limited to light blue-green, yellow ochre, reddish brown and black. Similar paintings exist in Serbia, Spain, Germany, Italy and elsewhere in France.<ref name=Toman/>

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File:Leon (San Isidoro, panteón).jpg|alt=The painted crypt of San Isidoro in León, Spain has a detailed scheme illustrating Biblical stories.|The painted crypt of [[Basilica of San Isidoro|San Isidoro]] in [[León, Spain]], has a detailed scheme illustrating Biblical stories.
File:Segovia - San Justo 22 adjust.JPG|Apse of the Church of St Justus, Segovia. ''Christ in Majesty'' was a common theme for the apse.
File:Absis de Sant Pere del Burgal, 11th c. fresco crop.JPG|alt=A frieze of figures occupies the zone below the semi-dome in the apse. Abbey of St Pere of Burgal, Catalonia, Spain|A frieze of figures occupies the zone below the semi-dome in the apse. [[Paintings from El Burgal|Abbey of St Pere of Burgal]], Catalonia, Spain.
File:12th-century paintings of Last Judgement (Clayton Church, Sussex).jpg|alt=In England the major pictorial theme occurs above the chancel arch in parish churches. St John the Baptist, Clayton, Sussex|In England the major pictorial theme occurs above the chancel arch in parish churches. [[Clayton, West Sussex#Parish church|St John the Baptist, Clayton, Sussex]].
File:Galenoghippokrates.jpg|alt=This fresco showing Galen and Hippocrates is part of a complex scheme decorating the crypt of Anagni Cathedral, Italy|This fresco showing [[Galen]] and [[Hippocrates]] is part of a complex scheme decorating the crypt of [[Anagni#Cathedral|Anagni Cathedral]], Italy.
</gallery>