Tympanum

Triangular or semicircular panel above doorways.

Overview

Tympanums, made of stone, feature sculptural reliefs in Romanesque and Gothic portals.

Core Characteristics

• Decorative reliefs.
• Triangular or semicircular.
• Symbolic narratives.

Notable Examples

• Notre Dame (France, 1345, tympanum reliefs).
• Saint-Trophime (France, 12th century, Romanesque tympanum).

Architectural Connections

• Romanesque: Decorative focus.
• Religious: Church portals.
• Gothic Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Enhances narrative art, led by Romanesque sculptors.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Stone Carving (technique), Iconography (theory), Doorway (element), Romanesque Architecture (movement)