France: Chartres CathedralFrance: Chartres Cathedral““High Gothic”High Gothic”

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The Abbot Suger The Abbot Suger

The Abbey Church of The Abbey Church of ST. DENIS ST. DENIS

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE: The Abbot Suger GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE: The Abbot Suger

ABBOT SUGERABBOT SUGERBorn in 1081; enters Abbey of St. Born in 1081; enters Abbey of St. Denis at age 9 and spends most of Denis at age 9 and spends most of the rest of his life there. He was the rest of his life there. He was appointed abbot in 1122, and held appointed abbot in 1122, and held that position until his death in 1155. that position until his death in 1155.

The Abbey of St. Denis was founded The Abbey of St. Denis was founded by the crown in the 7th century in by the crown in the 7th century in honor of St. Denis, the patron saint honor of St. Denis, the patron saint of France. Considered the royal of France. Considered the royal abbey; kings were educated and abbey; kings were educated and buried there, and it was an buried there, and it was an important political and royal symbol. important political and royal symbol. The original church was completed The original church was completed in 775 and had become dilapidated. in 775 and had become dilapidated. Suger begins renovations in 1140. Suger begins renovations in 1140.

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Inspired by early Christian mystics Inspired by early Christian mystics such as the Pseudo-Dionysius, who such as the Pseudo-Dionysius, who believed in the Divine power of believed in the Divine power of light. Believed that immense walls light. Believed that immense walls of colored light could create a of colored light could create a Divine atmosphere that wouldDivine atmosphere that wouldinspire and sanctify his inspire and sanctify his congregation.congregation.

ABBOT SUGERABBOT SUGER

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

ABBOT SUGERABBOT SUGERInspired by early Christian mystics such as the Inspired by early Christian mystics such as the Pseudo-Dionysius, who believed in the Divine Pseudo-Dionysius, who believed in the Divine power of light. Believed that immense walls of power of light. Believed that immense walls of colored light could create a Divine atmosphere colored light could create a Divine atmosphere that would inspire and sanctify his that would inspire and sanctify his congregation.congregation.

Believed in a three stages of light:Believed in a three stages of light:LuxLux—external light, from a physical source (the —external light, from a physical source (the sun, nature), which shines outside the sun, nature), which shines outside the cathedral. Profane.cathedral. Profane.

LumenLumen—a metaphysical transformation of —a metaphysical transformation of external light, occurring upon entry into external light, occurring upon entry into the cathedral. Consecrated and holy.the cathedral. Consecrated and holy.

IlluminationIllumination—a further transformation which —a further transformation which occurred as light passed through occurred as light passed through the eye of the viewer. A spiritual the eye of the viewer. A spiritual light which elevates the mind and light which elevates the mind and renews the spirit.renews the spirit.

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His solutions to the problems of opening His solutions to the problems of opening the walls and flooding a massive church the walls and flooding a massive church with light gave birth to the gothic style ofwith light gave birth to the gothic style ofarchitecture.architecture.

““The multicolored loveliness of the (light)The multicolored loveliness of the (light). . . has called me away…transporting me . . . has called me away…transporting me from material to immaterial things… the from material to immaterial things… the dull mind rises to truth through that which dull mind rises to truth through that which is material and in seeing this light is is material and in seeing this light is resurrected from its former submersion."resurrected from its former submersion."--Abbot Suger--Abbot Suger

ABBOT SUGERABBOT SUGER

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

COMPOUND COMPOUND PIERS PIERS

POINTED ARCHES POINTED ARCHES

RIBBED RIBBED VAULTSVAULTS

Gothic Vaulting:Gothic Vaulting:Pointed arches channel the weight of Pointed arches channel the weight of more directly downward (onto their piers)more directly downward (onto their piers)than traditional rounded arches; as a than traditional rounded arches; as a result, less buttressing is needed allowing result, less buttressing is needed allowing the walls to be opened to larger windowsthe walls to be opened to larger windowsunder the arches.under the arches.

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GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE: FLYING BUTTRESSES GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE: FLYING BUTTRESSES

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Suger on the new style in architecture:Suger on the new style in architecture:

““It makes me delight in the beauty of the It makes me delight in the beauty of the House of God” and calls me “away fromHouse of God” and calls me “away fromexternal cares.” It makes me feel I am “in external cares.” It makes me feel I am “in some strange region of the universe whichsome strange region of the universe whichneither exists entirely in the slime of the neither exists entirely in the slime of the earth nor entirely in the purity of Heaven . . . earth nor entirely in the purity of Heaven . . . (it transports me) from this inferior to that (it transports me) from this inferior to that higher world.”higher world.”

ABBOT SUGERABBOT SUGER

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

STAINED GLASS STAINED GLASS

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Rose window Rose window

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““Stained-glass windows are Stained-glass windows are the Holy Scriptures . . . andthe Holy Scriptures . . . andsince their brilliance lets the since their brilliance lets the splendor of the true light splendor of the true light pass into the church, theypass into the church, theyenlighten those inside.”enlighten those inside.”--Hugh of St. Victor--Hugh of St. Victor

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE: STAINED GLASS GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE: STAINED GLASS

GARGOYLE:GARGOYLE:typically used as watertypically used as water

spouts; the word is derivedspouts; the word is derivedfrom from "gargouille”"gargouille” (throat) (throat)or “gurgulio” (a double or “gurgulio” (a double

meaning, “throat” and the meaning, “throat” and the “gurgling” sound water “gurgling” sound water

makes as it passes through makes as it passes through an aperture). an aperture).