Gothic architecture

GOTHIC ART AND ARCHITECTUREMarissa Zane

Jennifer Zellner

Background & Origins

Île-de-France in 1137-1144 Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis

Proposed reconstruction, planned on making it the religious center of France

Interested in the mythical and symbolic nature of light

Societal Changes Leading to Development of Gothic Style

Political

Richard the Lionheart controlled much of western France Rouen to Paris

along the Seine French rulers had

to defend territory: Saint-Denis

Intellectual

Crusades increased Building churches was part of the Crusades

Epidemics, catastrophes, and wars occurred Churches were a sign of safety, protection, and

security Period of great intellectual activity

Transubstantiation Creation Natural science

Imagery formed part of liturgy

Difference between Gothic and Romanesque

Pointed vs. round arch

Narrower, taller nave

Linked transept & choir

Buttressing broke up massive walls Windows & tracery

More exterior detail & ornamentation

Symbolism in Cathedrals

Divine & beautiful = good Beauty is manifestation of harmony &

perfection of God Completeness / perfection Proportion / harmony Clarity & color

Perfection & order bring you closer to understanding God and His idea of creation

Cathedral is part of liturgy

Construction

Client: commissioned work, determined pupose

Functionary: administration of building works, budget

Master Builder: craftsman who determined technical issues, supervisor of everyone

Characteristics

High, “floating” walls Arcade Triforium Windows

Characteristics

Compound piers, pillars, columns Pillar: shaft of blocks,

does not taper, not always cylindrical

Column: supporting member with a circular plan

Compound pier: round pier or pillar with ¾ column projections, resting on a joint base with foliated capitals

Characteristics

Tracery: geometrically constructed building ornament to divide arch bay above impost line from windows Foil & triskele

form trefoil, quatrefoil

Rose window

Characteristics

Flying Buttresses: arch rising at an angle to take the vault thrust from the clerestory wall of the nave directly above the aisles into the buttresses

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral Interior

Canterbury Cathedral Stained Glass Window

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Stained Glass Window

Cologne Cathedral Interior

Cologne Cathedral Facade

Laon Cathedral

Laon Cathedral

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame Detailing

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral

Beauvais Cathedral

Beauvais Cathedral