Gothic Architecture: History and Characteristics

• Gothic architecture prevailed from 1150 to 1500 CE
• The "Gothic" label originated from Renaissance critics, who deemed it lacked conformity to classical standards
• Gothic style originated from the Goths, a "barbaric" northern tribe
• It has been called "Opus Modernum" or "Opus Francigenum" (French Work)

Gothic Style Diffusion

• The style extended to England and Spain
• Italy only accepted it reluctantly
• The feudal system transitioned to new centralized governments, aiding in the rise of nation-states
• Religion significantly influenced Gothic architecture

Church's Role

• The Church became powerful, influencing rulers
• Rampant Church abuse involved the establishment of the “Holy Office", tasking the task of the Dominicans.
• Initiated new religious orders like the St. Francis of Assisi (Missionaries)

Gothic Architectural Timeline

• Early Gothic (1140-1200 CE)
• High Gothic (1200-1250 CE) and Rayonnant style (1240-1350 CE)
• Late Gothic/Flamboyant (1250-1450 CE)

Structural Innovations

• The pointed arch distributes force more downward
• Thinner walls became possible due to load distribution
• Thick wall buttresses were no longer needed

Essential Cathedral Components

Triforium

• A shallow passageway above the nave arcade and below the clerestory

Set Off

• A horizontal ledge on a wall that is marking a decrease in wall thickness

Respond

• A support, like a corbel or pilaster, fixed to a wall to hold the vault rib or end of an arch

Compound or Cluster Pier

• A pier with a fusion of engaged piers or pillars that include a base, and a capital attached to a central shaft

Cusp

• Where two arcs intersect with foliations in tracery

Rib

• The moldings are projecting surface and separates ceiling or roof panels

Boss

• A projecting, carved ornament that is at ribs, groins, or beams

Pinnacle

• The body or shaft has a pyramid and adds weight to the outer buttress

Finial

• In charge of terminating spire or pinnacle

Crocket

• Stylized flower or leaf carving and can commonly be found on sloping edges

Gargoyle

• A carved roof gutter waterspout that can be grotesquely shaped

Cathedra Placement

• Cathedra are intended to ward off evil and can symbolize evil to warn those who are in attendance

Stained Glass

• Colored glass that can create images or mosaics

Church Elements

• Chevet: Apses had radiating chapels, and ambulatory
• Relics were inside the chevet
• Cathedral power and importance were due to relics
• The pointed arch was developed from adding to the chevet

Early Gothic Period

• Basilica of Saint-Denis (Paris, France)

Basilica of Saint-Denis

• A 7th-century structure started by Dagobert I and is also referred to as Abbey Church.
• It is devoted to St. Denis, an important French saint where monarchs were buried from the 5th Century.
• The French queen was crowned in this Church
• First constructed in Gothic architectural style which used Abbot Suger's unique Gothic style
• Abbot Suger believed light to be of divine origin, carrying one to a spiritual atmosphere
• One of its towers became unbuilt, including the usage of vaults, three portals, and radial chapels
• Featured Rib Vaults

Laon Cathedral

• A structure renovated from 1160 to 1230
• Additional name includes "Notre Dame de Laon"
• It was part of the route that pilgrims would use, following to to Santiago de Compostela
• Towers stand at 4/6 completion

Quadripartite

• A term to classify with 4 vault sections

Sexpartite

• A term use to classify with 6 vault sections

Notre Dame, Paris (1163-1250 CE)

Structure

• Located on the le de la Citlong the River Seine (Now classified under Dame Cathedral)
• Commenced thanks to Bishop Maurice alongside Pope Alexander III
• Was once known to be site of St. Etienne Basilica, the early Christian church
• Symmetrical elevation which divides in three parts
• It can be split into vertical and horizontal sections
• The cathedral is symmetrical with a certain grid structure and pattern
• Includes flying buttresses with an arch

Gothic Architecture in French Art

• From 1200 to 1250
• Colonnettes and Quadriparite Vaulting became used by clustered piers

Chartres Cathedral (1134-1220 CE)

Structure

• Located in Centre, France as finest example of High Architecture
• Dedicated toward the Roman-influenced church where relics placed in Chevet
• Total length of 130m, width of 32/46m, and height of 37m
• Contains very blue-stained windows and mazes of passages
• Uses shapes including triangles, circles, and squares (including high usage geometric)
• Includes restoration of discovered Polychromatic stone.

Plate Tracery

• Glass that uses a thick area of stone and glass, instead of stone, and windows like these

Reims Cathedral (1211 CE)

• Located at Champagne-Ardenne of France from an idea
• Built by architects such as Jean d'Orbais
• Kings crowns held here with Rayonnant-influenced bar tracery and Compostela influenced
• Used Bar Tracery

Rayonnant Style

• From 1240 to 1350 CE
• Is known as its flamelike look

Structure

• Creates lighter space from Stone Tracery and extends its Rayonnant Characte
• Rich decoration used on window arches with traceries and gables

Sainte Chapelle (1239-1248 CE)

• The chapel was originally influenced by Rei Louis, who also built sacred Christian relics
• It houses those relics and marks one of the final examples being the Rayonnant
• Amiens Cathedral in Paris (12201402 CE)
• Includes the designs of Robert De Cormot

Late Gothic (1250-1450 CE)

• Also marks as "Flamboyant", influenced a great look based on tracery that may contain high-flame traceries
• Also marks the German known "Sondergotik". with collapsing ceilings due to collapses in other cathedrals
• Includes Tempered extravagant buildings and Boovay of France, with no structure set

Cologue (1248 to 1880)

Structure

• Includes a mix with neo styles and hints of Roman style
• Dedicated mainly to the virgin mary and Peter
• Contains a facade that remains the world's largest length and height. spanning up to 144m and 157m.
• Double Aisles used along Clerestory with relics and shrine

Protestant and Rayonnant

• Features an angel along a spire

Saint Elizabeth

• Marburg, built in 1235 and an earlier example of German structures used in Protestant. and Order of Teutonic Knights

English Gothic (1200-1530)

• Is influenced by French Normand designs that can split into perpendicular, decorated, and early English

Early English (1200-1275)

• Known as "Lancet" where Ribbing and Towers include more clustered shafts

Structures

• Use Cathedrals to communicate with those under worshipers where arches, roofs, and windows set over their positions
• Contains a unique Label style. in Salisbury, a cathedral holds its Mary.
• Has large arch types and runs East-West. with English styles
• Building or room can hold several meetings alongside a square

Wells & Lincoln

• Built under Bishop-styled figures to hold a chapter house with more original colors, length, and height
• Built in about 1185 by avalon where structure meets world due to structure issues and structural isssues with spikes.

Decorated Period (1275-1375)

• An other term is defined as Flamboyant and Geometric. with buildings to have vine patterns
• Structures became wider and connected as moldings were used
• Exeter was built in 1112 and 1400 as Renovation was built over buildings over squared areas

Lierene and Vault

• An architecture in 1375, to make fan designs to look open over many surfaces

Sant Ivo & Peruzzi

• Insert into Court
• Convex design as structure follows star-hexagon themes
• A Roman style building built around 1677 is Sir Christopher to find stone for areas in London