The artwork “Saint Pierre Xhignesse, Belgium” is an exemplar of Romanesque architecture dating back to roughly 1100. The genre of the artwork is architecture, and it is part of the “East Ends” series that explores the eastern terminations of churches constructed during this period. Romanesque Architecture is not an artist but rather refers to a style of medieval European architecture characterized by semi-circular arches, robust structure, and often thick walls.
The artwork itself features a semi-circular apse with triple arcading, typical of Romanesque churches. The substantial stonework of the exterior walls, with varying sizes and arrangements of stone, presents a solid and robust appearance, while the small windows suggest the interior would be dimly lit. The repetition of round arches and the rhythm of vertical buttresses provide structural support and a sense of geometric order. Simplicity and massiveness are hallmarks of the Romanesque style as observed in the artwork, and these elements combined create a powerful embodiment of architectural design from this period.
