Church Architecture Chapter 11 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'ambulatory' refer to in a church setting?

A type of arch

A place for walking around the altar (correct)

A decorative sculpture

A wall section

What is 'antependia'?

A decorative piece usually of textile that adorns a Christian altar.

What purpose does an 'apse' serve in a church?

It contains the altar.

What does 'apsidal chapels' refer to?

Semicircular or polygonal niches that contain an altar Signup and view all the answers

What are 'arcades'?

A series of arches carried by columns or piers. Signup and view all the answers

What is an 'archivolt'?

Curved molding formed by the voussoirs of an arch. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'bailey'?

The outermost walled courtyard of a castle. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'barbicans'?

Exterior defensive fortifications of a gate or portal. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'bar tracery'?

Tracery made of thin stone or wooden elements in a Gothic window. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bas-de-page' mean?

Bottom of the page. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'battlements'?

The uppermost fortified section of a building or wall. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'bosses' in architecture?

A decorative knoblike element. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'buon fresco'?

A painting technique using water-based pigments on wet plaster. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'buttress piers'?

Masonry supports built on exterior walls to brace and strengthen vaults. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'cames' in stained glass windows?

Lead strips used to hold together pieces of glass. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'choir' in a church?

The section reserved for clergy. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'clerestory'?

The upper part of the church containing windows that admit light. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'colonettes'?

Small, relatively thin columns often used for decoration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'column statue'?

A column carved to depict a human figure. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'corbels' used for?

Support and arching technique for roofing. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'crenellations'?

Alternating high and low sections of a wall giving a notched appearance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Architectural Terms and Definitions

Ambulatory: Continuation of aisled spaces on either side of the nave around the apse, designed for walking; often found in churches.
Antependia: Decorative textile or material that hangs in front of an altar, distinct from altar linens and cloths.
Apse: Large semicircular or polygonal recess in a building, typically housing the altar in a church.
Apsidal Chapels: Similar structure to an apse that contains an altar, often vaulted and attached to the main building.
Arcades: A series of arches supported by columns or piers; can be decorative (blind arcade) when arches are engaged to walls.
Archivolt: Curved molding formed by the voussoirs of an arch, outlining the tympanum.
Bailey: The outer courtyard of a castle, serving as the first line of defense.
Barbicans: Defensive fortifications located at the entrance or portal of a gate.
Bar Tracery: Delicate tracery in Gothic windows created using thin stone or wood elements, contrasting with plate tracery.
Bas-de-page: French term referring to pictures located at the bottom of manuscript pages.
Battlements: Fortified sections on buildings or walls characterized by crenellations for defensive purposes.
Bosses: Decorative knob-like elements found at intersections of vault ribbing or as projections in designs and metalwork.
Buon Fresco: Painting technique where water-based pigments are applied onto wet plaster, resulting in durable art.
Buttress Piers: Exterior masonry supports made of stone or rubble designed to strengthen walls and vaults.
Cames: Lead strips used to hold together pieces in leaded or stained glass windows, characterized by grooves for fitting glass.
Choir: Reserved section of a church for clergy, located between the crossing and apse or within the nave.
Clerestory: Upper section of church walls featuring windows that allow light into the nave, situated above the roofs of aisles.
Colonettes: Small, thin columns used decoratively or to provide support in Gothic architecture, enhancing vertical effects.
Column Statue: Columns designed to depict human figures through intricate carvings.
Corbels: Architectural supports that project from walls to support structures above; often featured in arching techniques.
Crenellations: Notched wall designs created by alternating high and low sections for both aesthetic and defensive functions.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms related to church architecture with these flashcards. This set focuses on important vocabulary from Chapter 11, helping you understand concepts like 'ambulatory' and 'antependia'. Perfect for students studying religious architecture or art history.