Gothic Art: High and LightGothic art was a style of Medieval art that developed in France out of Romanesque art in the mid-12th century, led by the concurrent development of Gothic architecture.

Gothic ArtFor the most part Gothic Art had a

very religious bent. It was mainly characterized by

Architecture and Sculpture.

Gothic PaintingsMost Gothic Paintings were done as Altarpiece

and Panel paintings for churches.

The Adoration of the Magi by Lorenzo Monaco

Madonna of Humility with Saints by Puccio Di Simone

Madonna and Child Enthroned with Six Angels by Allegretto Nuzi

Gothic SculptureSculpture was the favored artistic endeavor during the Gothic Period.

Many of these sculptures appeared on churches and in graveyards.

French ivory Virgin and Child

South portal of Chartres Cathedral

West portal at Rheims Cathedral, Annunciation group

Gothic ArchitectureGothic Cathedrals were possible because of two engineering breakthroughs:Ribbed VaultingFlying Buttresses

Chartres Cathedral Ribbed Vaults

Gothic Ribbed Vaults

Cathedral-of-Beauvais

Flying Buttresses

York Minster Buttresses

Gothic Architecture- HeightA characteristic of Gothic church architecture is its height, both absolute and in proportion to its width, the verticality suggesting an aspiration to Heaven

Cologne Cathedral

Gothic Architecture- LightExpansive use of windowsThe windows were very often filled with stained glass which added a dimension of color to the light within the building, as well as providing a medium for figurative and narrative art.

Sainte Chapelle