Photos of the Medieval Pomposa Abbey Fresco Painting Art

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Photos of the Medieval Pomposa Abbey Fresco Painting Art. Late medieval photo-Renaissnce style art in a Romanesque Church. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Medieval Pomposa Abbey Fresco Painting Art.

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Photos of the Romanesque Style Pomposa Abbey and its early Proto- Renaissance frescoes.

Pomposa Abbey near Ferrara, Italy, is a Romanesque Benedictine Abbey dating from 874. Pomposa was one of the most important Abbey’s in northern Italy and was renown for its library which held an important collection of Carolingian manuscripts.

The Abbey church is dedicated to Saint Mary and is a Romanesque triple nave Ravenna style basilica with wooden rafters.

Pomposa Frescoes

The frescoes that can be seen today in the church interior were painted by Vitale de Bologna and his assistance in the 14th century.

These early Renaissance frescoes depict scenes from the life of Christ. In the Apse, above the altar, is a Byzantine style fresco of Christ Pantocrator in which Christ is revealed in an oval mandorla. Characteristic of Byzantine art the scene depicts a moment that transcends time and space such as the resurrection.

The fresco panels either side of the Aisle depict scenes from the nativity and the life of Jesus Christ in a lively colourful style. The fresco panels are full of life and movement and each story is depicted with a simple clarity.

Pomposa Romanesque Campinale

The campanile of Pomposa was begun in 1063 and stands at 48m high. It is one of the finest Romanesque bell towers from this period left standing.