GOTHIC ARCHITECTUREGOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

BUILDING LITEBUILDING LITE

Crusaders brought backCrusaders brought backmore than souvenirsmore than souvenirs……..

Knights returning fromKnights returning fromCrusades awed by theCrusades awed by thesplendor of splendor of HagiaHagiaSophia & EasternSophia & EasternArchitectureArchitecture

Brought back newBrought back newtechnology, winches totechnology, winches tolift heavy stoneslift heavy stones

New translation ofNew translation ofgeometry in geometry in EuclidEuclid’’ssElementsElements

This allowed GothicThis allowed Gothiccathedrals to becathedrals to bedesigned & builtdesigned & built……..

Abbot Abbot SugerSuger had a had aproblemproblem……

His church was PACKED!!His church was PACKED!! ““No one among the countlessNo one among the countless

thousands of people because ofthousands of people because oftheir very density could move atheir very density could move afoot.foot.””

Vision of flowing interior space withVision of flowing interior space withthin wallsthin walls

Literally & figuratively filled with theLiterally & figuratively filled with theLight of GodLight of God

Reconstructed the choir portion ofReconstructed the choir portion ofhis church in 1135-44; style spreadhis church in 1135-44; style spreadlike wildfire from Scandinavia tolike wildfire from Scandinavia toSpainSpain

Engraving, Church of St. Denis

Interior, Church of St. Denis

12th century, additions in 13thcentury

Located in Paris, France

Built by Abbot Suger

1st Gothic Cathedral, used pointedarch and rib vault

Removed thick walls, enlargedwindows, and thinner supportsto give height, light, andgrandeur

“Man may rise to the contemplation of thedivine through the senses.”

Gothic Standards set:

1. 3 level elevation inside

2. Clustered colonettes affixed to piers forcontinuous uplift

3. Virtual disappearnace of walls, mullionsfor stained glass

4. Profuse exterior sculpture

How to Read a GothicHow to Read a GothicCathedralCathedral

reading a Gothic cathedral facadereading a Gothic cathedral facade

Engineering: Triumph ofEngineering: Triumph ofLightLight Lightness was made feasible by structural &Lightness was made feasible by structural &

aesthetic elementsaesthetic elements…… Pointed ArchPointed Arch Rib VaultRib Vault Flying ButtressesFlying Buttresses Expansive Stained glass windowsExpansive Stained glass windows Integrated structure & ornament,Integrated structure & ornament, Got rid of compartmentalized RomanesqueGot rid of compartmentalized Romanesque

stylestyle VERTICAL EMPHASISVERTICAL EMPHASIS

Flashcard, Cathedral of NotreDame, Paris, 1163-1270s

Notre Dame of Paris: The GoldNotre Dame of Paris: The GoldStandardStandard

1st cathedral of1st cathedral ofcolossal scale andcolossal scale andbecame prototypebecame prototype

Height & length, hadHeight & length, hadto blend greatto blend greatexpanses of wallexpanses of wall

1st true Flying1st true Flyingbuttresses supportedbuttresses supportedthe wallsthe walls

Pope Alexander laidPope Alexander laidcornerstonecornerstone

Gargoyles served aGargoyles served apurpose, not just topurpose, not just toscare off evil demons!scare off evil demons!

CHARTRES CATHEDRAL, 1134

FLASHCARD

•High Gothic styles

•Site of a pre-Christian Roman virgin-goddess cult

•Later dedicated to Virgin Mary

•Has relic of Mary’s tunic there

•Sculpture & stained glass represententire Christian history

•Number symbolism: 3 the trinity, 4 =material world, 7 = seven gifts of the HolySpirit

•West façade has famous Rose Window

• 3 portal doorways with incredibly detailedsculptural decoration

•Rebuilt after fire, in 1260 by mason’sguild (GUILDS played major role)

Close up of Royal Portal of Chartres.. Christ in judgment in center, Mary’s life onright, Jesus ascends to heaven on Left. Showed Old Testament Kings & Queensto link to French royalty & Church

Detail of Chartres WestPortal

Note Prophets &Ancestors of Christ

One of few royal statuesthat survived the FrenchRevolution….

1145-55

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres

Nave, Chartres Cathedral

Tree of Jesse, West Façade, ChartresCathedral

Stained glass

1150-70

Chartres was famous for glassmakingworkshops.

Gives effect of “flaming jewellry”

Tells story of Jesus’ genealogy; treegrows out of Jesse’s body

Blue = heaven & fidelity

Red = the Passion of the Christ

Green = nature & fertility

Yellow = God or truth

Rose of France, Rose Window atChartres Cathedral, 1220

Gift from Queen Blanche of Castile

Expensive & costly process tomake stained glass

This window is over 42’ in diameter

Lancets show Mary & baby Jesusin center, flanked by St. Anne,Kings David & Solomon

Stained Glass at Chartres

Nave at AmiensCathedral

Floor plan of Amiens

Eliminated narthex &expanded transeptand sanctuary

Exceptionally tall &narrow nave…48’wide, 144’ tall

Reims Cathedral

Façade begun 1225,work done through1400s

How is Gothic styleevolving?

West façade, Amienscathedral

Elaborate sculpturaldecoration

Quatrefoils, West façade,Amiens Cathedral. Above:Signs of The Zodiac (Leo,Virgo, and Libra); Below:Labors of The Months (July,August, and September)

Flashcard - Annunciation &Visitation, Reims Cathedral

1st realistic Gothic sculptures.. Note difference in ages

Between Mary and older woman on Right, Angel..Roman verism?

Rayonnant Styleanyone?High gothic churchesbecame like jewel boxes

Sainte-Chappelle built in1243-48 has very littlewalls, mostly stained glassand gilded rib vaults

Salisbury Cathedral, England

1220-58 with later additions

English version of Gothic style

Lower, broader proportions thanFrench gothic

Rich decoration, rambling layout

Tall central tower typical ofBritish style

Nave at Salisbury Cathedral

Siena Cathedral, Gothic with an Italian accent…marble façade,ornamentation horizontal designs

Romanesque vs. GothicRomanesque vs. Gothic

So lets recap theSo lets recap thedifferences betweendifferences betweenRomanesque &Romanesque &Gothic styleGothic stylechurcheschurches……

Romanesque vs.Romanesque vs.GothicGothic

Death of the Virgin, Strasbourg Cathedral, c. 1240, high relief sculpture on Tympamumon South portal. Flashcard… note Hellenistic influences!!

Saint Maurice

Lifesize statue of darksandstone, originallypainted

1240-50

Depicted Moorish (African)saint who served in theCrusades

Ekkehard & Uta, fromNaumberg Cathedral

Gothic period sculpture,lifesized

Showed patrons of church

Realistic portrait sculpturerecalling Roman veristictraditions

Flashcard

Vanessa

Pulpit, Baptistry, Pisa

Marble sculpture about 15”high-flashcard

Gothic period

Pisa Cathedral

Master family of sculptors

Artist: Nicola Pisano

Detail below

Detai of Nativity frompuplit by Pisano