Gothic Flashcards
Characteristics of trans gothic and example
Very like Romanesque
Slightly pointed arches
Heavy look of Romanesque
Eg. St Denis, Paris. Opened by Abbot Suger
Characteristics of flamboyant gothic
Complex, highly ornamental, intricate, carved decoration
Sculpture everywhere
Eg. Rouen cathedral, north west tower of Chartres
Characteristics of classic gothic
‘Most perfect phase’
More elegant than trans
Light airiness
Eg. Chartres cathedral
Name the 7 main elements of gothic structure
Pointed arches Rib vaulting Flying buttresses Thin columns Thinner walls Large windows Tracery
Explain vertical visual emphasis
Architects wanted the buildings to be tall and light filled.
The higher they were, the closer they were to god.
Everything in cathedral pointed upwards
Everything vertical, draws eyes upwards
What parts of Chartres are transitional gothic
Most of western facade:
Royal Portal
Twin towers
Three lancet windows
In what year did a fire burn down Chartres
1194
Why was Chartres rebuilt so quickly and magnificently?
Santa Camisia unharmed in fire : seen as a sign from god
Wealthy people donated money for the building (patrons)
What was the result of building the church so quickly
It is unified in structure and decoration
Describe the classic gothic elements of Chartres. (5)
Ribbed vaulting= simple and elegant
Columns extend up to be anchor points for vaulting
Rows of flying buttresses support these columns
3 huge rose windows
Rows of lancet windows
Describe the flamboyant features of Chartres
Northwest tower
Complex and detailed decoration
Fussy and visually busy
Pinnacles, tracery, mini flying buttresses
How many original windows were there in Chartres and how many survived
183, 145 still exist
What two types of patrons were depicted on the stained glass windows
Wealthy people and guilds
Explain the didactic function of stained glass
Taught illiterate pop. about bible stories.
Some windows dedicated to a particular saint. (Eg, St Martin)
What stage of gothic is the Blue Virgin from
Transitional. It survive the fire of 1194
Describe the Blue Virgin
Mary sits on a throne, Jesus in her lap.
Crown on her head (queen of heaven)
Gown and halo are a rich luminous blue
Deep red background
What did the Blue Virgin represent in Chartres
The special relationship between Chartres and Mary.
Characteristics of gothic sculpture x5
Compared to Romanesque: Calm more orderly more realistic Natural style More correct body proportions, slightly elongated
What phase of gothic is the Royal Portal from
Transitional, so there are elements of the less realistic Romanesque style
Who are the figures on the columns of the three doorways (Royal Portal)
Kings and queens from the Old Testament
Describe the figures on the columns of the Royal Portal
Stylised poses, elongated to fit with the vertical visual emphasis
Lengthen slightly from door outwards to make false perspective
Formal and serious
Static, ordered, serene, regular
What is above the columns of the Royal Portal
A freeze of small carved figures, almost 200 in total.
These serve as the capitals of the columns
Describe the right tympanum
Christ is a child on Mary’s knee
Describe the left tympanum
Christ is ascending though the clouds to heaven
