Pre-Romanesque Art in Spain: Visigothic to Mozarabic

Pre-Romanesque Art in Spain

Space-time situation: From the mid-5th century to the 10th century.

Historical Context

Pre-Romanesque art, often described as the craft of the invaders, consists of different styles divided into three distinct stages: Visigothic Art, Asturian Art (Arte Astur), and Mozarabic Art.

Visigothic Art

This was a stage of wars and invasions which imposed military laws and religion. It developed from the 6th century until 711. Characterized as the simple art of a developing society, its most notable features include:

• The use of the cruciform basilica plan.
• Stone as the predominant building material.
• The use of the horseshoe arch.
• Small spans and a lack of windows, often utilizing a single hole.
• The use of columns and pillars for restraint.
• Simple Corinthian capitals carved with scenes of sacrifice and vegetable items.
• Sparse interior decoration based on paintings or carved relief bands (bezel).
• Gabled roofs.

Notable Visigothic Examples

• San Juan de Baños (Palencia)
• Quintanilla de las Viñas (Burgos)
• Santa Comba de Bande (Orense)
• San Pedro de la Nave (Zamora)

This period also highlights jewelry and art mobilier, featuring votive wreaths placed above the altar, belt buckles, and brooches, such as those found in the Treasury of Guarrazar and the Treasury of Torredonjimeno.

Asturian Art (Arte Astur)

Developed from the 8th century until the 10th century. Following the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula by the Arabs, Asturias became the most important focus of Christian resistance. The tension of a society at war against Islam explains the proliferation of churches for the worship of the Christian people.

Pre-Romanesque Asturian art is slightly rooted in Visigothic traditions but features autonomy and innovative solutions, connecting it more closely to Carolingian art. Three artistic reigns highlight three phases:

• Alfonso II (791-842): San Julián de los Prados
• Ramiro I (842-850): Santa María del Naranco
• Alfonso III (866-910): San Salvador de Valdediós

This style served as a precursor to Romanesque architecture due to its elements and construction systems. Key features include the use of the barrel vault, stilted arches, and external buttresses (pilasters against the outer walls), whose abundance is one of the most striking notes. To compensate for the humility of the pieces, decorative elements such as medallions and moldings were used.

Mozarabic Art

Developed in the 10th century, Mozarabic art was created by Mozarabs—Christians living in Muslim territory under a more or less peaceful coexistence. These Christians were eventually forced to migrate north, repopulating "no man's land," which is why this style is also known as the Art of Restocking.

Key Features of Mozarabic Style

• Use of the horseshoe arch.
• Poor, thick, and diverse wall materials (ashlar, rubble, brick).
• Columns with Corinthian capitals.
• Use of the Muslim Caliphate ribbed vault.
• Small-scale buildings.

Notable Mozarabic Examples

• San Miguel de Escalada (León)
• Santiago de Peñalba (León)
• San Cebrián de Mazote (Valladolid)

Beatus Manuscripts

We also note certain manuscripts called Beatos. These are works that comment on an earlier 8th-century work regarding the Apocalypse, written by a monk at a monastery called Beatus of Liébana, from whom the manuscripts took their name.