gothic architecture Flashcards
centuries
12th-16th centuries
3 main characteristics of Gothic architecture
- pointed arches
- ribbed vaults
- flying buttresses
gothic cathedrals
- rapid expansion of trade in eu
- expensive cathedrals built in northern France where Gothic style of architecture developed
gothic
word refers particularly to medieval architecture based on pointed arch
origins of the gothic style
- St. Denis Cathedral in Paris
- 12th century
- Abbot SUger
- Lasted until 16th century
functions of gothic cathedrals
- sculpture + stained glass educated CHristians
- huge size emphasised power + majesty of church
- high vaulted ceilings pointed to heaven
pointed (lancet) arch
- less sideways thrust (than round arch)
- used in arcades, doorways, galleries, windows
- allowed for creation of rib vaulting
rib vaulting
- system of stone ribs made w/ pointed arches at steep angle
- carry weight through piers/columsn to ground
- use of lighter stones between ribs reduces weight of ceiling
- allowed for taller cathedrals + more windows
flying buttresses
- formed usually by a half arch of stone (flyer) which carries thrust of roof to outside
- reduced need for thick walls
- made taller cathedrals + larger windows possible
interior elevation
celerestory
triforium
arcade
clerestory
- only part of nave w/ windows
- the uppermost wall lining nave on both sides
- architects lit up nave by increasing height of clerestory w/ aid of flying buttresses
triforium
windowless passage w/ serioes of arches built over vaulting of side aisles
arcade
series of arches carried on piers (pillars)
comparison: Romanesque architecture characteristics
- rounded arches
- barrel vaults
- heavy vaulted ceilings
- thick walls
- massive piers + thick columns
- buttresses built into walls
- sometimes less obvious cross floor plan
- dark interiors, few windows
- little use of stained glass
- small simple windows
Gothic architecture characteristics
- pointed arches
- rib + groin vaults
- lighter vaulted ceilings
- thinner vaults
- thinner piers + columns
- flying buttresses
- obvious cross floor plan
- bright interiors, many windows
- much use of stained glass
- large ornamental windows w/ tracery
- emphasis of height + light
- towers + spires
- increased use of sculptural deco
Gothic styles
- Early Gothic (1140-1200)
- High Gothic (1200-1250)
- Rayonnant Gothic (1250-1350)
- Flamboyant / Late Gothic (1350-1500)
Gothic churches
St Denis Cathedral Notre Dame Cathedral Reims Cathedral Roven Cathedral Chartres Cathedral
St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - style
Early Gothic Style
St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - bg info
- Abbot Suger org its rebuilding
- western facade rebuilt w/ 3 portals + rose window
- rebuilt choir, ambulatory, radiating chapels
- Seen as first Gothic building
St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - function
- church for adjoining monastery
- burial place of kings, place of pilgrimage to relics
St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - stained glass
- Abbot Suger saw sunlight as reflection of God’s eternal light
- plenty of stained glass windows –> brightly lit
St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - how brightly lit interior was achieved
- rib vaults supported by pointed arches
- lightness of rib vaults -> supporting piers + columns thinner than Romanesque
- Outer walls reduced in thickness/eliminated due to buttresses
Notre-Dame Cathedral - style
Early Gothic Style
Notre-Dame Cathedral - function
- Maurice de Sully -> decided to build large Cathedral for Paris
- style of architect. changed as work progressed
Notre-Dame Cathedral - overall plan/layout
- short transept
- deep choir
- semi-circular ambulatory
Notre-Dame Cathedral - structure
- cracks appeared
- external flying buttresses added to take outward thurst of roof + vaulting in nave
Notre-Dame Cathedral - exterior
- highest cathedral of its day (33m)
- aimed at impressing visitors
- 2 massive towers + rose windows above main entrance portal
Reims Cathedral - style
Rayonnant Gothic Style
Reims Cathedral - bg info
- built on site of earlier cathedral
- modelled of Chartres Cathedral
- mix of styles
Reims Cathedral - function
- built as seat of archbishop of Reims
- most French kings crowned there
- main portal dedicated to Virgin Mary
Reims Cathedral - layout
- floor plan similar to Notre-Dame Cathedral
- West end narrower than transept + eastern end
Reims Cathedral - west facade
- pointed arches decorated w/ sculpture
- 2 towers w/ 3 portals
- no sculpture on tympanum -> instead, rose window w/ delicate tracery
Roven Cathedral - style
Flamboyant / Late Gothic Style
Roven Cathedral - bg info
- replaced earlier Romanesque cathedral
- mix of Early Gothic, High Gothic, Late / Flamboyant Gothic styles
- Claude Monet painted series of studies of facade of this cathedral
late gothic / flamboyant style
- Flamboyant - ‘flaming’ in French
- refers to intricately decorated facades + window tracery w/ flame-like, curved s-shapes
- elaborate open stonework tracery gables above external portals typical of this style
Roven Cathedral - function
Main cathedral for duchy of Normandy + seat of archbishop of Roven
Roven Cathedral - layout
- Large transept
- 3 radiating chapels (off ambulatory)
Roven Cathedral - west (main entrance) facade
- Flamboyant-style rose windows over portal
- 2 towers w/ contrasting styles (built at diff times)
Roven Cathedral - transept portals
Dramatic Rayonnant facades on north + south transept portals crowned by open-air gables
rayonnant style
- Refers to radiating patters formed by geometric stonework tracery of rose windows
- Architects opened up walls for max amount of windows
- Supporting pillars become thinner
Chartres Cathedral - styles
Early Gothic
High Gothic
Rayonnant Style
Flamboyant Style
Chartres Cathedral - Chartres labyrinth
- in past, could be walked as pilgrimage and/or for repentance
- at centre: rosette design w/ rich symbolic value (incl. enlightenment)
- four arms of cross readily visible + provide Christian symbolism
Chartres Cathedral - function
- Important pilgrimage dest. (housed relic of St Mary)
- most sacred relic was Santa Camisa (said to be gown worn by Virgin Mary during childbirth)
- Sculpt + stained glass educated people
- Huge size emphasised church’s power
- High vaulted ceilings pointed to heaven
Chartres Cathedral - general description
- Old Romanesque Cathedral destroyed by fire. Relic thought to be lost, found 3 days later. Taken as sign to build new + better Cathedral
- Cathedral not destroyed/damaged during French Revo.
- Many restorations over years, not altered its great beauty
- Remains one of finest examples of 13th century high Gothic architect., sculpture, glass
Chartres Cathedral - interior
- shape of cross, central aisles + transept form arms
- nave widest in France. Offers unbroken view from western door to apse in East
- Slender columns soar dramatically upwards to support rib vaulting
- large upper windows + 3 great rose windows (over west door + transepts) intensify feeling of light + space
Chartres Cathedral - structure: exterior + interior
- has typically Gothic pointed arches, rib vaulting, flying b
- bc of high windows in clerestory, flying b used to support massive weight
- thin walls + piers + columns soar dramatically + support vaulting
- emphasis on height + light
- stained glass windows w/ elaborate stone tracery
- incl use of sculptural deco
- cross shape floor plan
- High Gothic Nave three stories high, consists of arcade at bottom, a triforium, + a clerestory (describe each thing)
- built in phases over many years (mix of diff styles)
- much of original structure exists on west, 300 years separate the spires (irregular appearance)
- South spire: original, plain, early Gothic. North spire: late Gothic / flamboyant style
- Nave widest in France. Offers unbroken view.
Chartres sculpture
- Christ in Majesty (tympanum)
- Kings and Queens (Column Statues/Jamb figures_
- St Modeste (column statue)
- Christ Teaching (column statue)
Christ in Majesty Tympanum, Chartres Cathedral
- central section of royal portal organised around high relief tympanum of Christ in Majesty
- Dramatic tympanum shows power + glory of Christ, surrounded by large symbols of evangelists
- Man = Matthew, Lion = Mark, Eagle = John, Ox = Luke
- Lintel beneath shows apostles
- Enthroned within a mandolin, Christ raises right hand in blessing + holds Book of Life in left
- equally embodies his divine + human natures
Column Statues: KIngs and Queens (from Old Testament) / Jamb FIgures, Chartres Cathedral
- carved out of same stone as column (Gothic innovation)
- found on columns of all 3 portals + depict kings, queens, prophets from Old Test
- Naturalistic expressions, extremely elongated bodies follow vertical columns
St. Modeste (Column Statue), Chartres Cathedral
- St. Modeste - early Christian martyr, body thrown into well in underground crypt of this cathedral
- facial expression skilfully captured
- Considered a beautiful portrayal of maidenly sweetness + purity
Christ Teaching (Column Statue), Chartres Cathedral
- figure of a forgiving Christ on trumeau (central pillar that supports tympanum + divides doorway)
- gentle expression on face v. different from severe Christ in Romanesque Last Judgement scenes
Chartres Cathedral - North Portal statues
St Modeste (column statue) Old Testament figures (column statue)
Chartres Cathedral - Royal Portal statues
Christ in Majesty (tympanum)
Old Testament figures, Kings and Queens (column statues)
Chartres Cathedral - South Portal statues
Christ Teaching (column statue)
Comparison: Romanesque sculpture characteristics
- sculpture + architecture unified
- function: instruct illiterate, deco churches
- figures elongated, distorted, sometimes grotesque
- awkward poses, un-natural
- faces lacked individuality
- location: interior - capitals, exterior - tympanum on west facade, sometimes on transepts
- common themes: Last Judgement
Gothic sculpture characteristics
- sculpt developed into independent art form, not simply for architectural deco
- function: instruct illiterate, deco cathedrals, inc. prestige of bishops
- more realistic treatment of figures + natural forms
- more relaxed, natural poses + gestures
- more expressive faces + individuality
- location: interior - capitals, exterior - tympanum, transepts, column statues, sculpt on buttresses + upper facades
- common themes: salvation + glorification of Christ, Virgin Mary. Subj. matter shifted from that of Christ as judge to as saviour. Hope + humanism message of period
Mid to Late Gothic Sculpture
- figures became more realistic
- figure statues stand out from columns behind them
eg. The Annunciation and Visitation, The Smiling Angel, Ekkehard II and His Wife
Contrapposto
pose taken by standing figure - one part of body twists in opp. direction from another. Generally torso is tilted + weight carried on one leg
Donor statues
purpose: encourage donations from wealthy
Gothic sculptures outside Chartres
Reims Cathedral
Naumburg Cathedral
Notre-Dame Paris
Monastery outside Dijon
Reims cathedral statues
The Annunciation and Visitation
The Smiling Angel
The Annunciation and Visitation
- large gables over portals have relief sculpture
- figures hav contrapposto + interact
- carved in naturalistic style
- elongated + follow vertical architecture, but are no longer relief figures, stand out from columns
The Smiling Angel
- v. strong personality
- v broad smile + gestures upwards
- drapery carved less stylised way, falls around body naturally
Naumburg Cathedral statues
Ekkehard II and His Wife
Ekkehard II and His Wife
by Naumburg Master
- part of series of 12 portrait statues of lay donors
- sculpted after donor deaths + represented them dressed in fashion of mid 13th century
- v. dramatic presence + unprecedented realism
- life size + almost free standing
- anonymous Naumburg Master named after masterpiece series of 12 p. statues of lay donors in N. Cathedral
14th century late gothic sculpture
Virgin of Notre Dame
The Well of Moses
Notre Dame sculptures
Virgin of Notre Dame
Virgin of Notre Dame
- typical late Gothic sculpture
- exaggerated contrapposto, weight rests on 1 leg
- elegant s-curve in pose gives great sense of movement
- head tilts towards Christ giving her gentle caring quality
Monastery outside Dijon sculptures
The Well of Moses by Claus Sluter
The Well of Moses
by Claus Sluter
Monastery outside DIjon
- situated in cloisters of monastery
- only surviving sculpt completely designed + carved by Sluter
- limestone fig. originally coloured
- hexagonal pedestal designed to support Crucifixion scene + tall cross. Only Christ’s head survives
- v. realistic life size figs of 6 prophets
- short + solid (in deep contrast to elongated figures of high Gothic sculpture)
- intense facial expressions
- dramatic folds in drapery
- 6 lamenting angels w/ outspread wings crown 6 corners
Claus Sluter
- born in Netherlands
- worked as sculptor for Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in DIjon, France
Claus Sluter: personal style + technique
- favoured emotional expression rather than restrained elegance of Gothic
- characteristics of his style incl:
- v. detailed realism/naturalism
- use of folds in drapery, poses of figures + facial expressions to express emotion
- portrayal of indiv. personalities
- sculptures almost freed from architectural setting
- solid, 3-dimensional quality
Claus Sluter: influence
- big influence on development of late Gothic art
- Prior to Renaissance, unusual to know name/biographical details of medieval artists
- Fame of his talent increased status of the artist
