The age of the Romanesque churches in Cologne

Taken together, the twelve Romanesque churches, built around 1050-1250, still form a unique ensemble today. The Church of St. Cecilia, in which the Museum Schnütgen has been located since 1956, is one of these prominent signs of medieval Cologne. However, the sacred building's large, unadorned space is the result of reconstruction measures carried out after 1945. Remants of murals depicting a narrative cycle of the church's patron saint and scenes from the life of Jesus hint at the colourful ornamentation that once adorned the church during the Middle Ages. Architectural sculpture also once accentuated the massive walls of Romanesque buildings. Capitals with interlaced arabesques and imaginative mixed-form animals as well as portal reliefs were used to ornament churches and monastic complexes. Two rare examples of church reliefs have survived from Cologne, the tympana of St. Cecilia and of St. Pantaleon. The depiction of the figures, in media ranging from increasingly large-scale stone and wooden sculptures to book illumination and filigree ivory carvings, is characterised by a symmetrical composition and design. The folds of their robes appear schematised and linear in form, but with echoes reminiscent of ancient Roman sculpture. Their gaze seems rigid, and this is emphasised by their restrained gestures.

In the center of the ivory panel, Jesus is standing on a sphere resting on a column. He has placed his hands on the heads of Saints Gereon and Victor, who hold feathers in their hands. Above are depicted two angels on the right and left, and below them are other saints.

Gereon and Victor Plaque, reliefs: Christ in Majesty with the Martyrs St. Gereon and St. Victor, Cologne, c. 1000, ivory, 17.7 x 9.8 cm, Inv. No. B 98, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Wooden figure depicting Jesus on the cross. His head is tilted, eyes half closed.

Crucified Christ from St. Georg in Cologne, Cologne, last third of 11th cent., willow, 189.5 x 52 cm, inv. no. A 9, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

A man holds Jesus by the waist while another man pulls a nail out of his feet with pliers. Jesus is wearing a crown and has his eyes closed.

Descent from the Cross, Saint-Omer/Northern France, c. 1100, ivory, h. 13.8 cm, inv. no. B 120, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Gilded cross with ornate, delicate engravings.

So-called Cross of St. Modoaldus, reverse side of an altar cross, workshop of Roger von Helmarshausen, c. 1120-30, copper, engraved and gilt, 42 x 33.5 cm, Inv. No. G 579, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Jesus figure of a crucifix made of bronze. There are holes in the hands and feet.

Crucified Christ from a Processional Cross, Rainer von Huy (?), Liège, c. 1110/1120, bronze (yellow brass), 16 x 17 cm, Inv. No. H 70, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Stone sculpture of Mary with crown. Her right hand is raised, her left hand holds the baby Jesus. The image is not complete: On the sides the stone is broken off.

Siegburg Madonna, Cologne, third quarter of the 12th cent., limestone, h. 41 cm, inv. no. K 10 a, b, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Relief made of stone showing five people with broken heads. The relief is broken in two places and the people are holding different objects in their hands.

Tympanum from St. Pantaleon: Christ in Majesty between the Virgin Mary and St. John, St. Pantaleon and Archbishop Bruno, Cologne, c. 1150 – 1175, limestone, 109 x 173 x 29 cm, Inv. No. K 118, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

The relief shows Mary and Joseph, between them a cradle with the baby Jesus. Around them is the image of a city wall, angels, animals and the three kings.

The Nativity of Christ, Cologne, c. 1150-1175, walrus tusk, 15 x 11.8 cm, Inv. No. B 104, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

In the center of the stone relief is a woman with a halo. At her side is a man each, above her an angel bends down to her.

Tympanum from St. Cecilia: Coronation of St. Cecilia between her Bridegroom Valerianus and his Brother Tiburtius, Cologne, c. 1160-1170, limestone, 128 x 236 cm, Inv. No. K 275, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

A golden panel, in the center of which is an image of Mary with the baby Jesus on her lap.

Golden Panel from St. Ursula, Cologne, c. 1170-1180, painting: late 14th/early 15th cent. and 19th cent., oak, cahmplevé enamel, gilt-stucco plaques, gilded sheet metal, 114 x 218 cm, inv. G 564, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Front side of a book. In the center is the golden figure of a seated man. He holds a book in his left hand. His right is raised.

Cover of a Carolingian Book of Gospels, Cologne, c. 1170-1180, (manuscript from St-Amand, c. 860-880), gilt silver with enamel and studded with gemstones, 28 x 20 cm, inv. G 531, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Wooden figure of a seated Mary with lowered head. On her lap sits the baby Jesus, who looks up to her and has raised his right hand.

So-called Aix-la-Chapelle Madonna, Cologne, c. 1230, oak, 102 x 50 x 43.5 cm, inv. no. A 15, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Detail of a larger object made of white stone. In the center are two dragon heads next to a human head.

Arch Segment with Dragon and Human Head, Cologne, presumably after 1219, limestone, 59 x 25 cm, inv. no. K 125e, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv