The Gothic Period

Cathedral of Tarragona, Spain

begun 12th century

Gothic Architecture

• followed the Romanesque period

• Took advantage of some advances in architecture

• best examples of Gothic architecture are found in cathedrals, particularly in Spain and France

The Pointed Arch

• the pointed arch shape is the most recognizable shape from the Gothic period

• a change from the rounded arch from the Romanesque period

• More emphasis on the vertical (arch is “pointing” upwards)

Facade

• Facade = the front of the church

• Detailed, ornate sculpture all over the facade

Reims CathedralReims, FranceBegun 1255

Cathedral of Burgos,

Spain

begun 13th century

Flying Buttresses

• new system engineered to redirect the weight of the walls and the roof away from the walls

Flying Buttresses

• new system engineered to redirect the weight of the walls and the roof away from the walls

Avila Cathedral, Spain

Flying buttress detail

• Shifting the weight away from the walls allows for massive windows instead

• big difference from Romanesque, which had thick walls and almost no windows

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris,

France

• Ornate stained glass windows allow beautiful coloured light to stream into the cathedral

• Windows are both decorative and / or depict scenes from the Bible

RibbedVaults

Romanesque Vault Gothic Vault

thick walls ribbed vaults lighten the load

• flying buttresses and ribbed vaults allow for a soaring vertical space inside

Reims Cathedral

Sacramental Portal, Burgos Cathedral, 13th Century

Gothic Sculpture

• Sculpture becomes more realistic, well-crafted and detailed

• Strasbourg Cathedral, France

GargoyleNotre Dame, Cathedral

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The Martydom of Thomas a Becket

Carrow Psalter

13th Century

Manuscripts aren’t always just pretty

roses!

Gothic Manuscripts

The Calling of the Apostles Peter and

Andrew

Duccio di Buoninsegna

1308-11

Tempera on Wood

Gothic Painting

• still uses very flat space

• more realistic depiction of people

Lamentation Giotto

Fresco c. 1305

Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy

Giotto: Master Painter

• figures show lots of emotion

• they are less “wooden” in their body positioning

• one of the few painters of the time period who was not a nameless craftsman

Fin