The Synthesis Of Carolingian Art: Chapel At The Waters
Much as the Frankish scribes had salvaged old Roman texts and based upon them a culture of education of their own, Carolingian art was characterised by a fresh synthesis that combined traditions from both the Roman and barbarian worlds. A case in point is the Chapel at the Waters in Aachen (a city in present day Germany). In the late eighth century, Charlemagne commissioned a palace complex to be built at Aachen, and the Chapel at the Waters became the centrepiece of this piece of architecture.
The Chapel at the Waters was divided into three tiers, with Charlemagne’s throne sitting in the second tier, from which he ‘presided’ over the religious worshippers conducting prayers in the first tier below. The highest tier consisted of antiquated Roman pillars salvaged from Rome.
In this one building of worship, built upon the residues of Rome and the glory of the Frankish king, was housed the three strands composing the fabric of medieval Europe – the Christian religion, Roman traditions, and Germanic leadership. In fact, this eventual synthesis of a novel culture that had begun with the interactions of the Roman Empire the Germanic barbarian tribes was the legacy of the Germanic peoples.
 |
| Original Image |
Much as the Frankish scribes had salvaged old Roman texts and based upon them a culture of education of their own, Carolingian art was characterised by a fresh synthesis that combined traditions from both the Roman and barbarian worlds. A case in point is the Chapel at the Waters in Aachen (a city in present day Germany). In the late eighth century, Charlemagne commissioned a palace complex to be built at Aachen, and the Chapel at the Waters became the centrepiece of this piece of architecture.
The Chapel at the Waters was divided into three tiers, with Charlemagne’s throne sitting in the second tier, from which he ‘presided’ over the religious worshippers conducting prayers in the first tier below. The highest tier consisted of antiquated Roman pillars salvaged from Rome.
In this one building of worship, built upon the residues of Rome and the glory of the Frankish king, was housed the three strands composing the fabric of medieval Europe – the Christian religion, Roman traditions, and Germanic leadership. In fact, this eventual synthesis of a novel culture that had begun with the interactions of the Roman Empire the Germanic barbarian tribes was the legacy of the Germanic peoples.
| Updated >> 21 September 2004 |