Visigothic art

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The Visigoths entered Hispania (modern Spain and Portugal) in 415 and they rose to be the dominant people there until the Moorish invasion of 711 brought their kingdom to an end.

This period in Iberian art is dominated by their style. Visigothic art is generally considered in the English-speaking world to be a strain of Migration art, while the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking worlds generally classify it as Pre-Romanesque.

Visigothic branches of art include their architecture, their crafts (especially jewellery), and even their script.

[edit] Visigothic architecture

San Pedro de la Nave from the southwest.

In the sixth century the only real example of their architecture is the church of San Cugat del Vallés, in Barcelona. However, their style developed over the next centuries, though the prime remaining examples of it are mostly rural and often run-down. Some of the characteristics of their architecture are:

Generally basilican in layout, sometimes a Greek cross plan or, more rarely, a combination of the two. The spaces are highly compartmentalised.
Horseshoe arches without keystones.
A rectangular, exterior apse.
Use of columns and pillars with Corinthian capitals of unique design.
Barrel vaults with cupolas at the crosses.
Walls of ashlar blocks, occasionally alternating with Roman brickwork.
Decoration commonly of animal or plant themes (typically barbarian).