Not to be confused with Whimsigothic, Gothic, or any Goth-related aesthetic.
Visigothic Art refers to the manifestations of artistic expression that originated in the Visigothic Kingdom. This state was estabilished by the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe, in various parts of modern-day Spain, Southern France, and Southern Portugal from 418 to 711 AD. It is considered part of Pre-Romanesque art, and particularly flourished in the Iberian Peninsula during the reign of the Kingdom of Toledo.
Visigothic Art primarily developed between the 5th to 8th centuries can be found in the form of architecture, sculpture, and goldsmithing, as well as very few examples of painting. Religion played a fundamental role, with very varied influences, with aspects of Germanic, Pre-Roman, Greek, Roman, North African, Paleo-Christian, and Byzantine art.
History[]
This is only a brief overview of the Kingdom of the Visigoths.
Map of the Visigothic Kingdom under Alaric II.
The Visigoths were an East Germanic people who influenced the fall of the Western Roman Empire. After sacking Rome in 410 AD, they established a kingdom in southern Gaul, in modern-day France, with its capital in Toulouse. They eventually conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula by the 5th century AD. After establishing their kingdom in Hispania, the Visigoths moved their capital to Toledo in 554 AD, which lasted from the 5th to the 8th century AD. Toledo became a major center for artistic production and cultural exchange.
As for art, the Visigothic period combined a lot of cultural influences, including Germanic, Roman, and Byzantine, with some shared characteristics with Middle Eastern styles. The original religion practiced by Visigoths was Gothic paganism, and later Arianism, a branch of Christianity considered to be heretical. They finally converted to Catholicism in 589 AD under King Reccared I. Ever since, the church played an important role in Visigothic society, as many surviving works of Visigothic Art were actually commissioned by or for the Church.
The Visigothic reign ended in 711 AD with the Umayyad invasion of the Iberian Peninsula.
Crafts[]
One of the most notable aspects of Visigothic crafts is its golden metalwork and jewelry. The most known example is the Treasure of Guarrazar, a collection of crowns and crosses, discovered in Guadamur. These pieces utilize goldsmithing and cloisonné techniques. Cloisonné involves creating small compartments (cloisons) on a metal surface, which are then filled with stones (i.e. garnets, sapphires, and pearls) and glass.
The crowns of the Treasure of Guarrazar are associated with the Visigothic royalty. Two of the ten crowns belonged to kings: the Crown of Suinthila (c. 631 AD) and the Crown of Recceswinth (c. 672 AD). The Crown of Recceswinth is known for its lavish decoration, with thirty large sapphires, each framed by four pearls. Despite the Germanic origins of the Visigoths, the ornamentation on these objects seems to be heavily influenced by Mediterranean and Eastern artistic traditions. Plants and animal motifs are very common,[1] likely due to the Visigoths' assimilation into the Romanized population.
Other examples of Visigothic metalwork include decorative brooches called fibulae, with intricate designs and inlaid stones, and belt buckles, typically made of bronze or silver, which use a variety of geometric and zoomorphic motifs. Visigothic artisans also crafted religious objects like chalices and patens. Apart from metalwork, textile production was also prominent in Visigothic Art, although little examples survive. They were likely influenced by Roman and Byzantine traditions. Ceramics also continued in the Visigothic period, characterized by simple forms and geometric decoration.
Architecture[]
Visigothic architecture is characterized by high-quality masonry, frequent use of stone vaulting, and the horseshoe arch. Buildings typically incorporated a basilican plan with a short and wide elevation, as seen in the church of San Juan Bautista at Baños de Cerrato (661 AD). This is one of the oldest surviving Visigothic structures in Spain, and exemplifies the key features of Visigothic Art. Its facade includes a portico, and the church's interior is divided into three naves. The church is notable for its use of decorative friezes, found on the entrance arch, triumphal arch, central apse, and lateral naves. This form of ornamentation is unusual in the Western architecture of the period, and shares some similarities with Syriac and Coptic monuments.
Another example is the Church of San Pedro de la Nave in Zamora, Spain, which dates back to the late 7th century. Its historiated capitals, featuring biblical scenes like Daniel in the lions' den and the sacrifice of Isaac, are one example of how religion influenced Visigothic Art, which is often classified as an "Early Christian" aesthetic. These capitals show influences from Coptic, Syriac, and Sassanid artistic traditions.
Visigothic architectural remains are found throughout Spain, including cities such as Toledo, Mérida, Córdoba, Barcelona, Tarragona, and Tarrasa. The horseshoe arch, which is one of the most defining features, is still subject of debate among scholars. Other Teutonic ethnic groups (i.e. Germanic in origin, just like the Visigoths) did not use this type of arch in their architecture. Because of this, its origins are uncertain, with possible explanations ranging from Visigothic innovation to the adoption of local or Eastern architectural traditions.[2]
Sculpture[]
Visigothic sculpture primarily existed as a decorative element within architectural pieces. Rather than freestanding sculptures, the Visigoths favored bas-reliefs, often used to adorn capitals, friezes, and other architectural features. These reliefs were typically carved using a beveling technique (known as "técnica de bisel" in Spanish). Stylistically, Visigothic sculpture is influenced by Early Christian and Byzantine traditions. Examples of Visigothic sculptural reliefs can be found in surviving structures such as the Church of San Pedro de la Nave in Zamora, which includes historiated capitals with biblical scenes, and San Juan de Baños de Cerrato in Palencia.
Painting[]
Visigothic churches were likely extensively adorned with art, but little examples have survived. This was possibly caused due to the fragility of murals, as well as later conflicts in the region.
Some of the best-preserved examples are found in the churches of San Miguel and Santa María in Terrassa, Catalonia. These murals are one of the oldest surviving paintings in the Iberian peninsula, influenced by Late Roman traditions, though they exhibit a more expressive style. Another example of Visigothic murals can be found in Santa María de los Arcos in La Rioja. However, the faces of the painting were restored during the Romanesque period, and have likely been altered from their original Visigothic appearance.
The illuminated manuscript known as the Ashburnham Pentateuch (also known as the Tours Pentateuch) presents a more complex case. Some scholars attribute it to a 5th-century scriptorium in Seville, but not much is known about it. Although not in a perfect condition, the manuscript is known for its full-page miniatures and potential influence from Mozarabic art, which developed after the Visigothic era.
Gallery[]
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