3. gothic architecture

Gothic Architecture

1150 A.D – c.1400 A.D.

What is ‘Gothic’?

The Gothic period was progressionary step from the preceding Romanesque period.

The word ‘Gothic’ was a derogatory term coined during the Renaissance to describe the old-fashioned and unenlightened of the period.

Influences on the Period

The ever increasing wealth and power of the Catholic Church.

Significant advances in structural engineering.

The combination of rib-vaulting and pointed arches.

The importance given to biblical & local saints.

Gothic Beginnings

Gothic Architecture began with the construction of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Denis, in the Ile-de France, just north of Paris in 1144.

The Abbey was build under the stewardship of Abbot Suger.

Abbot Suger is known as the ‘creator of Gothic’.

Gothic Churches

They became an important status symbol for a town.

Churches began to get significantly bigger and as a result we began to call these larger buildings cathedrals.

Gothic Stages

The Experimental Stage

- Roughly the period from the building of the Abbey Church at St. Denis to the opening decades

of the thirteenth century.

The Classical Stage

- Spans the entire thirteenth century

The Flamboyant Stage- Extends into the end of the fifteenth century

http://klimtlover.file

s.wordpre

ss.com/201

2/11/cluny-iii.pn

g

A Typical Gothic Cathedral

Gothic Architectural Features

Pointed Arches Flying Buttresses Thin walls Cruciform Shape High Pointed Spires Stained Glass Windows Rib-Vaulting High Relief Sculpture


Pointed Arches

The most obvious difference between Gothic and Romanesque architecture is the shape of the arches.

Pointed arches were stronger than the rounded Romanesque arch.

http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/252/flashcards/825252/png/untitled1323743639824.png


Rib Vaulting• A ribbed vault is criss-crossed

by ribs of solid stone that provide a skeletal frame to support the vault.

• Ribbed Vaults were much lighter and did not need massive stone walls to support them.

• As a direct result it was possible to open large spaces in the walls for windows.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gotic3d2.jpg


Flying Buttresses

• A flying buttress is an external arch that was used to support the central nave wall and eliminate the outward thrust caused by the weight of the roof and ceiling structure of Gothic cathedrals.

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsapp/BT/EEI/MASONRY/14typgoth.jpgt downwards to the ground.


Stone Tracery

Tracery are the stonework elements that support the glass in a Gothic Window.

Gothic tracery began as simple geometric patterns but evolved into the very elaborate and complex ‘Rayonnant’ style.

http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/gothic/11.jpg


Stained Glass

With the advent of Gothic architecture, stained glass flourished with the expansion of immense window spaces in Gothic cathedrals.

The windows of the period depicted complex ideas, with embellished biblical narrative being the main focus.

http://d1ezg6ep0f8pmf.cloudfront.net/images/slides/a5/12735-chartres-cathedral-blue-virgin-window-detail.jpg

http://ww

w.polycount.com

/forum/sho

wthrea

d.php?t=

66834

Cluny Abbey

Acknowledgements

Art Associates Maria Moore

Margaret O’Shea

Local Facilitator TeamAine Andrews

Joe CaslinJane Campbell

Siobhan CampbellNiamh O’Donoghue

Niamh O’NeillKeith O’Rahilly

Sheena McKeonTony MorrisseyMonica White

Many thanks to the following for their invaluable contribution to the European Art History and Appreciation series of workshops and resource materials.

PDST Professional Development Service for Teachers

PDST Professional Development Service for Teachers

The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and

Skills under the National Development Plan 2007 -

2013

Cultural & Environmental Education

Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)Dublin West Education Centre,

Old Blessington Road,Tallaght,Dublin 24

National Co-ordinatorConor Harrison

Mobile: 087 240 5710E-mail: [email protected]

AdministratorAngie Grogan

Tel: 014528018 Fax: 014528010E-mail: [email protected].