GOTHIC EUROPEGARDNER CHAPTER 18-2

PP. 469-477

THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL

The great cathedrals erected throughout Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries are the enduring symbols of the Gothic age

Towering structures

These buildings are a unique expression of medieval faith

The “recipe” for Gothic cathedrals = 1. rib vaults w/pointed arches

2. flying buttresses

3. stained-glass windows

CHARTRES, AFTER 1194

Aerial view of Chartres Cathedral, France, as rebuilt after 1194

Construction of urban cathedrals often lasted for decades/centuries

Financing depended on collections and public contributions -> lack of funding and unforeseen events often interrupted building

Rebuilt/post 1194 Chartres is considered the first High Gothic building

The Chartres plan, in which a single square in each aisle flanks a single rectangular unit in the nave with a four part vault, became the norm for High Gothic

Interior of Chartres Cathedral -> Chartres becomes a model for High Gothic churches -> tripartite elevation of nave arcade, triforium, and clerestory w/extremely tall stained-glass windows

CHARTRES, STAINED GLASS Virgin and Child and angels, detail of

a window in the choir of Chartres Cathedral, France, ca. 1170, 16” full height

Purpose of these windows was not to illuminate the interior w/bright sunlight but to transform light into lux nova/new light

Frontal composition of Mary and Child -> she is the beautiful, young, rather worldly Queen of Heaven -> compare this w/the Theotokos images in Byzantine art – severe and aloof

STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS

Detail of stained-glass rose window, north transept Chartres Cathedral, France, ca. 1220

Stained-glass windows are almost synonymous w/ Gothic architecture

These do not conceal walls -> they replace them -> transmit light instead of reflect light

Transmitting the light of God into the hearts of the faithful

Costly and labor-intensive to produce

CHARTRES, SOUTH TRANSEPT Saints Martin, Jerome, and Gregory, jamb

statues, Porch of the Confessors, south transept, Chartres Cathedral

In contrast to the Royal Portal statues, the south-transept statues have individual personalities and turn slightly to left or right, breaking the rigid vertical lines of 12th century predecessors

(right) Saint Theodore, jamb statue, Porch of the Martyrs, south transept, Chartres Cathedral, France, ca. 1230

Although the statue of Saint Theodore is still attached to a column, the setting no longer determines the pose -> saint is portrayed swinging out one hip, as in Greek statuary

AMIENS CATHEDRAL

Interior of Amiens Cathedral, Amiens, France, begun 1220

Amiens elevation derived from the High Gothic formula of Chartres -> even more elegant -> number and complexity of the lancet windows in clerestory and triforium are greater

French Gothic obsession with constructing taller churches

Self sustaining skeletal architecture -> nave vaults rise 144 ft. -> choir vault resembles a canopy suspended from bundled masts -> sunlight entering from clerestory windows creates an effect of buoyant lightness

West façade of Amiens Cathedral, France, begun 1220

Deep piercing of the Amiens façade left few surfaces for decoration -> but sculptors covered remaining ones w/colonettes, pinnacles, and rosettes that nearly dissolve the structure’s solid core

BEAU DIEU

Christ (Beau Dieu), trumeau statue of central doorway, west façade of Amiens Cathedral, France, ca. 1220-1235

Fully modeled figure -> massive drapery folds cascading from waist

Beau Dieu = Beautiful God -> a kindly figure who blesses all who enter the cathedral -> tramples a lion and dragon symbolizing the evil forces in the world -> image gives humankind hope in Salvation

Bearded, benevolent Gothic image of Christ

REIMS CATHEDRAL

West façade of Reims Cathedral, Reims, France, ca. 1225-1290

High Gothic style is carried further architecturally and sculpturally

Kings’ gallery of statues above the rose windows -> taller/more ornate frames

Openings in the towers are taller and more decorated

Pointed arch frames the rose window

Stained-glass windows replace stone relief sculptures in the tympana

(right) Annunciation and Visitation, jamb statues of the central doorway, west façade, Reims Cathedral, France, ca. 1230-1255

Reims jamb statues are detached from the columns -> classical naturalistic style and contrapposto postures -> legs bend, knees press through garments, arms in motion

SAINT-CHAPELLE, PARIS

Interior of the upper chapel, Saint-Chapelle, Paris, France, 1243-1248

Wall dissolving High Gothic architectural style

Masterpiece of the RAYONNANT(radiant) style of the High Gothic age -> the style of royal Parisian court of King Louis IX

¾’s of the structure is stained-glass -> each window is 49 feet high and 15 feet wide