Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 3: Romanesque - Queen Melisende's Psalter: The Harrowing of Hell (1140)

by Unknown

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Around 1140, an unknown artist created 'The Harrowing of Hell' for the Psalter of the Queen of Jerusalem, Melisende. The 'Harrowing of Hell' refers to the Biblical telling of the descent of Jesus to hell (i.e. Hades) to battle evil and free hell's captives [2]. This artwork shows Jesus freeing Adam and Eve from hell as King David and other Biblical figures observe nearby.

Vocabulary

Harrowing: Causing pain or distress.
Harrowing of Hell: A raid into the underworld by a heroic figure such as Jesus.
Hell: In various religions, the place where devils live and where sinners suffer after death.
Psalter: The Book of Psalms from the Bible.
Adam and Eve: The first man and woman, respectively, according to the Biblical Book of Genesis.
King David: The Biblical young shepherd who kills the giant Goliath and becomes the King of Israel.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Romanesque
2. Timeline - 11th century to the 12th century

Movement Characteristics:

1. Bright primary colors

2. Flat, two-dimensional paintings with little depth

3. Frescoes

4. Stained Glass

5. Decorated Manuscripts Including Bibles

6. Elaborate Metalwork

7. Sculptures of Wood, Plaster, Ivory, and Stucco

Movement Subjects:

1. Often Biblical, Commonly Featuring Christ

2. The Nativity and the Three Kings

3. The Creation of Man (Adam, Eve, the Serpent, and the Garden of Eden)

4. The Crucifixion

Architecture of the Time:

1. Semicircular Arches

2. Apses

3. Barrel Vaults

4. Spirals

5. Entwined Animals

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Jesus
• Four Crucifixion Marks
• Adam and Eve
• Other Biblical Figures

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: See the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

• The featured artwork is from Queen Melisende's Psalter, originally from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Activity 4: Map the Artwork

• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the ancient city of Jerusalem.
• Zoom in to find Jerusalem on the map.

Activity 5: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the Romanesque art movement.
• Find the Romanesque art movement on the timeline.
• During which (estimated) years did the Romanesque art movement flourish?
• Which art movement followed the Romanesque art movement?

Activity 6: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 6 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

What is the setting of the artwork?

1 / 7

Answer 1

The setting is in hell.

1 / 7

Question 2

Who are the characters in the artwork?

2 / 7

Answer 2

The characters are Jesus, Adam, Eve, King David, and other Biblical characters.

2 / 7

Question 3

Why is this artwork called 'The Harrowing of Hell?'

3 / 7

Answer 3

In the artwork, Jesus descends into hell and battles evil to free the imprisoned.

3 / 7

Question 4

Why are there marks on Jesus' hands and feet?

4 / 7

Answer 4

The marks on Jesus' hands and feet denote his crucifixion.

4 / 7

Question 5

To which western art movement does this artwork belong?

5 / 7

Answer 5

This painting belongs to the Romanesque art movement.

5 / 7

Question 6

Which elements of the artwork characterize the Romanesque art movement?

6 / 7

Answer 6

The artwork is an illustration from a decorated manuscript of the Biblical book of Psalms, it features bright primary colors, and it shows a Biblical event and Christ.

6 / 7

Question 7

During which century did the artist create this artwork?

7 / 7

Answer 7

The unknown artist created this artwork in the 12th century.

7 / 7

❮ ❯

1. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is in hell.
2. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Jesus, Adam, Eve, King David, and other Biblical characters.
3. Why is this artwork called 'The Harrowing of Hell?' In the artwork, Jesus descends into hell and battles evil to free the imprisoned.
4. Why are there marks on Jesus' hands and feet? The marks on Jesus' hands and feet denote his crucifixion.
5. To which western art movement does this artwork belong? This painting belongs to the Romanesque art movement.
6. Which elements of the artwork characterize the Romanesque art movement? The artwork is an illustration from a decorated manuscript of the Biblical book of Psalms, it features bright primary colors, and it shows a Biblical event and Christ.
7. During which century did the artist create this artwork? The unknown artist created this artwork in the 12th century.

References

'Romanesque art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Harrowing of Hell.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Melisende Psalter.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.