Gothic ArchitectureArchitectural HistoryACT 322Doris Kemp

TopicsMeaning of GothicGothic CharacteristicsRib VaultsFlying ButtressPointed ArchGothic Architecture in France

Gothic ArchitectureMeaning of GothicDark AgeInvading barbarians from the north ruined ancient art and replaced it with their own cultureGoths took Rome in 410Wrought little damage but became known as the first tribe of barbarians and thus the name Gothic

Gothic ArchitectureCharacteristicsStructuralSkeletal stone structureVisualVisual arts were important including the role of light in structuresSymbolicScholasticismTranslations of real events into stone and glassCathedrals served as an image of heaven

Gothic Architecture: The Rib VaultRib VaultsOrganic metaphor alluding to the role of ribs in anatomy as the bodys skeletal structure supporting tissuesArches, usually three pairs per rectangular bay, running diagonally Cross ribs act together with outer frame to create a complete armature of arches along the edges and main folds of the vault

Gothic Architecture: The Rib VaultPhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: The Flying ButtressFlying ButtressEffected by powerful external arches swung above the side aisles and the ambulatoryArches rise from colossal freestanding piersAbsorb and channel disruptive forces, such as wind and weight, safely to the groundTowering piers could be erected without much affecting the nave or choir interior

Gothic Architecture: The Flying ButtressPhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: The Pointed ArchBuilders turned from the semicircular, unbroken arch to the pointed archLooked lighter and pointed upward Exert less thrust than semicircular arch of the same spanSolves geometric difficulty inherent in ribbed vaultsImpossible to arrange all arches and ribs to a common level using exclusively semicircular ribsWith a pointed arch, ribs could easily be made level

Gothic Architecture: The Pointed ArchPhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceFirst Early Gothic StyleRoots stem back to 11th century NormandyAbbey Church of St. Etienne, CaenWall changed into mass-dissolving double shells and gathered into linear columnar elements

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceFirst coherent example of Gothic architectureAppear in Gothic 12th century ParisIle-de-FranceCut stone masonry employed into vaulting, rather than rubble masonry of the NormansArches and ribs designed with independent curvatures

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceAbbey Church of St. DenisDefinitive turning point in early French GothicSpace, light, line, and geometry create transcendent modernist architectural vision

Photo: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceAbbot SugerOne of Gothic architectures most significant architectsElected the abbot of St. Denis in 1122 A. D.In 1137, he began to enlarge St. DenisBuilt a new west front and narthexHe was very conscious of colored light and introduced two large stained glass windows to the expansion

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceGothic came to be associated with urban settings and the extension of the French Kings political influenceTwo important French gothic structures preceding SugerCathedral of Notre-Dame at LaonCathedral of Notre-Dame at Paris

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceCathedral of Notre-Dame at LaonBegun about 1165 to replace an older structureCompleted about 1205In the 13th century restoration occurredFlying buttresses were added to modernize the appearanceRetained several elements from Romanesque architectureLong nave, lantern crossing towers, and a semicircular choir

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceCathedral of Notre-Dame at ParisBishop of Paris began construction in 1163A very tall church, reaching some 108 feet from the floor to the crown of the vaultsThe clerestories were enlarged around 1225 to bring in additional lightNot as well preserved as at Laon

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FranceNotre-Dame, ParisWest front has a solid qualityTriple portalsGallery of KingsRepresents twenty-eight kings of the Old TestamentPhoto: Sullivan

Gothic Architecture: Gothic Architecture in FrancePhoto: Sullivan

ReferencesSullivan, Mary; http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.htmlTrachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to PostmodernityWodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

Gothic ArchitectureArchitectural HistoryACT 322Doris Kemp