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LC Art History > gothic architecture > Flashcards

gothic architecture Flashcards

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1
Q

centuries

A

12th-16th centuries

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2
Q

3 main characteristics of Gothic architecture

A
  • pointed arches
  • ribbed vaults
  • flying buttresses
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3
Q

gothic cathedrals

A
  • rapid expansion of trade in eu

- expensive cathedrals built in northern France where Gothic style of architecture developed

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4
Q

gothic

A

word refers particularly to medieval architecture based on pointed arch

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5
Q

origins of the gothic style

A
  • St. Denis Cathedral in Paris
  • 12th century
  • Abbot SUger
  • Lasted until 16th century
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6
Q

functions of gothic cathedrals

A
  • sculpture + stained glass educated CHristians
  • huge size emphasised power + majesty of church
  • high vaulted ceilings pointed to heaven
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7
Q

pointed (lancet) arch

A
  • less sideways thrust (than round arch)
  • used in arcades, doorways, galleries, windows
  • allowed for creation of rib vaulting
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8
Q

rib vaulting

A
  • 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
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9
Q

flying buttresses

A
  • 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
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10
Q

interior elevation

A

celerestory
triforium
arcade

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11
Q

clerestory

A
  • 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
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12
Q

triforium

A

windowless passage w/ serioes of arches built over vaulting of side aisles

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13
Q

arcade

A

series of arches carried on piers (pillars)

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14
Q

comparison: Romanesque architecture characteristics

A
  • 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
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15
Q

Gothic architecture characteristics

A
  • 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
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16
Q

Gothic styles

A
  • Early Gothic (1140-1200)
  • High Gothic (1200-1250)
  • Rayonnant Gothic (1250-1350)
  • Flamboyant / Late Gothic (1350-1500)
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17
Q

Gothic churches

A 
St Denis Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral
Reims Cathedral
Roven Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral
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18
Q

St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - style

A

Early Gothic Style

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19
Q

St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - bg info

A
  • Abbot Suger org its rebuilding
  • western facade rebuilt w/ 3 portals + rose window
  • rebuilt choir, ambulatory, radiating chapels
  • Seen as first Gothic building
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20
Q

St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - function

A
  • church for adjoining monastery

- burial place of kings, place of pilgrimage to relics

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21
Q

St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - stained glass

A
  • Abbot Suger saw sunlight as reflection of God’s eternal light
  • plenty of stained glass windows –> brightly lit
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22
Q

St. Denis Cathedral in Paris - how brightly lit interior was achieved

A
  • 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
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23
Q

Notre-Dame Cathedral - style

A

Early Gothic Style

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24
Q

Notre-Dame Cathedral - function

A
  • Maurice de Sully -> decided to build large Cathedral for Paris
  • style of architect. changed as work progressed
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25
Q

Notre-Dame Cathedral - overall plan/layout

A
  • short transept
  • deep choir
  • semi-circular ambulatory
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26
Q

Notre-Dame Cathedral - structure

A
  • cracks appeared

- external flying buttresses added to take outward thurst of roof + vaulting in nave

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27
Q

Notre-Dame Cathedral - exterior

A
  • highest cathedral of its day (33m)
  • aimed at impressing visitors
  • 2 massive towers + rose windows above main entrance portal
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28
Q

Reims Cathedral - style

A

Rayonnant Gothic Style

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29
Q

Reims Cathedral - bg info

A
  • built on site of earlier cathedral
  • modelled of Chartres Cathedral
  • mix of styles
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30
Q

Reims Cathedral - function

A
  • built as seat of archbishop of Reims
  • most French kings crowned there
  • main portal dedicated to Virgin Mary
31
Q

Reims Cathedral - layout

A
  • floor plan similar to Notre-Dame Cathedral

- West end narrower than transept + eastern end

32
Q

Reims Cathedral - west facade

A
  • pointed arches decorated w/ sculpture
  • 2 towers w/ 3 portals
  • no sculpture on tympanum -> instead, rose window w/ delicate tracery
33
Q

Roven Cathedral - style

A

Flamboyant / Late Gothic Style

34
Q

Roven Cathedral - bg info

A
  • 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
35
Q

late gothic / flamboyant style

A
  • 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
36
Q

Roven Cathedral - function

A

Main cathedral for duchy of Normandy + seat of archbishop of Roven

37
Q

Roven Cathedral - layout

A
  • Large transept

- 3 radiating chapels (off ambulatory)

38
Q

Roven Cathedral - west (main entrance) facade

A
  • Flamboyant-style rose windows over portal

- 2 towers w/ contrasting styles (built at diff times)

39
Q

Roven Cathedral - transept portals

A

Dramatic Rayonnant facades on north + south transept portals crowned by open-air gables

40
Q

rayonnant style

A
  • 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
41
Q

Chartres Cathedral - styles

A

Early Gothic
High Gothic
Rayonnant Style
Flamboyant Style

42
Q

Chartres Cathedral - Chartres labyrinth

A
  • 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
43
Q

Chartres Cathedral - function

A
  • 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
44
Q

Chartres Cathedral - general description

A
  • 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
45
Q

Chartres Cathedral - interior

A
  • 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
46
Q

Chartres Cathedral - structure: exterior + interior

A
  • 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.
47
Q

Chartres sculpture

A
  • Christ in Majesty (tympanum)
  • Kings and Queens (Column Statues/Jamb figures_
  • St Modeste (column statue)
  • Christ Teaching (column statue)
48
Q

Christ in Majesty Tympanum, Chartres Cathedral

A
  • 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
49
Q

Column Statues: KIngs and Queens (from Old Testament) / Jamb FIgures, Chartres Cathedral

A
  • 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
50
Q

St. Modeste (Column Statue), Chartres Cathedral

A
  • 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
51
Q

Christ Teaching (Column Statue), Chartres Cathedral

A
  • 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
52
Q

Chartres Cathedral - North Portal statues

A 
St Modeste (column statue)
Old Testament figures (column statue)
53
Q

Chartres Cathedral - Royal Portal statues

A

Christ in Majesty (tympanum)

Old Testament figures, Kings and Queens (column statues)

54
Q

Chartres Cathedral - South Portal statues

A

Christ Teaching (column statue)

55
Q

Comparison: Romanesque sculpture characteristics

A
  • 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
56
Q

Gothic sculpture characteristics

A
  • 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
57
Q

Mid to Late Gothic Sculpture

A
  • 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

58
Q

Contrapposto

A

pose taken by standing figure - one part of body twists in opp. direction from another. Generally torso is tilted + weight carried on one leg

59
Q

Donor statues

A

purpose: encourage donations from wealthy

60
Q

Gothic sculptures outside Chartres

A

Reims Cathedral
Naumburg Cathedral
Notre-Dame Paris
Monastery outside Dijon

61
Q

Reims cathedral statues

A

The Annunciation and Visitation

The Smiling Angel

62
Q

The Annunciation and Visitation

A
  • 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
63
Q

The Smiling Angel

A
  • v. strong personality
  • v broad smile + gestures upwards
  • drapery carved less stylised way, falls around body naturally
64
Q

Naumburg Cathedral statues

A

Ekkehard II and His Wife

65
Q

Ekkehard II and His Wife

by Naumburg Master

A
  • 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
66
Q

14th century late gothic sculpture

A

Virgin of Notre Dame

The Well of Moses

67
Q

Notre Dame sculptures

A

Virgin of Notre Dame

68
Q

Virgin of Notre Dame

A
  • 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
69
Q

Monastery outside Dijon sculptures

A

The Well of Moses by Claus Sluter

70
Q

The Well of Moses
by Claus Sluter
Monastery outside DIjon

A
  • 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
71
Q

Claus Sluter

A
  • born in Netherlands

- worked as sculptor for Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in DIjon, France

72
Q

Claus Sluter: personal style + technique

A
  • 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
73
Q

Claus Sluter: influence

A
  • 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

LC Art History (17 decks)

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