Gothic Era: Origins and Characteristics

Gothic Origins & Characteristics

• The term "Gothic" was initially used by Renaissance critics, denoting a deviation from classical norms.
• The name comes from the "Goths," a Germanic tribe, viewed as barbaric.
• Gothic was first known as "Opus Modernum" or "Opus Francigenum" which translates to "French Style".
• Gothic architecture gained traction in England, Germany, Central Europe, and Spain, while Italy remained hesitant.
• Centralized governments and nation states arose from the feudal system during this period.
• Cities and the middle class emerged.
• Universities appeared and took the place of monasteries as learning institutions.
• Religion significantly influenced Gothic architecture.
• Kings and Emperors were less powerful than the now powerful Church.
• The Holy Office was established by the Church to oversee inquisitions carried out by the Dominicans.
• New religious orders, for example the St. Francis of Assisi (Missionaries) rose to prominence.
• Cathedrals were the primary building type produced

Gothic Architecture Periods

• Early Gothic: 1140-1200 CE
• High Gothic & Rayonnant Style: 1200-1350 CE (Rayonnant Style: 1240-1350 CE)
• Late Gothic/Flamboyant: 1250-1450 CE

Key Architectural Features

• Pointed arches distribute force downward, enabling thinner walls.
• Flying buttresses are half arches supporting walls.

Components of Gothic Cathedrals

• Triforium: Shallow passage above the nave arcade and below the clerestory.
• Set Off: Horizontal ledge on a wall.
• Respond: Support, often a corbel or pilaster.
• Compound or Cluster Pier: Pier formed by engaged piers.
• Cusp: Intersection of arcs in tracery.
• Rib: Projecting moldings separating roof sections.
• Boss: Richly carved ornament at rib intersections.
• Pinnacle: Ornamental body or shaft topped by a pyramid or spire.
• Finial: Ornament at a spire's point.
• Crocket: Decorative carving of leaves or flowers on spires, finials, and pinnacles.
• Gargoyle: Waterspout projecting from the roof gutter, sometimes symbolizing evil.
• Stained Glass: Colored glass arranged to create images.
• Chevet: The apse, ambulatory, and radiating chapels where relics were placed, relics added power and prestige to the cathedral
• The pointed arch's development was due to the addition of the chevet.

Early Gothic Style Example: Basilica of Saint Denis (Paris, France)

• Founded in the 7th Century by Dagobert I.
• Also known as the Abbey Church of St. Denis.
• St. Denis is the patron saint of France.
• French monarchs were buried here since the 5th Century.
• The first major structure was partially built in Gothic style.
• The Choir was built in 1140 CE by Suger, who used Gothic style.
• Abbot Suger believed light could transport people to a spiritual place.
• Light was associated with the divine.

Laon Cathedral (Picardy, France)

• Also known as Notre Dame of Laon.
• "Notre Dame" means "Our Lady."
• It was part of a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
• Originally planned for six towers, only four were completed.
• The apse was extended and given a square end, following English architectural traditions.
• Vaults use both quadripartite (4 sections) and sexpartite (6 parts) ribbing.

Notre Dame de Paris

• Located on the Ile de la Cite, along the River Seine.
• Also known as Notre Dame Cathedral or Our Lady of Paris.
• Commissioned by Bishop Maurice de Sully and Pope Alexander III.
• It stands on the former site of St. Etienne Basilica, Paris' first Christian church
• The facade is divided into three sections both vertically and horizontally.
• Features bar tracery, where thin stone elements support the glass, allowing glass to dominate.

High Gothic Period

• Domination of French Art and Architecture in Europe.
• Rectangular bays using quadripartite vaulting replaced square bays with sexpartite vaulting.
• Colonnettes or clustered piers are used.

Chartres Cathedral (France)

• Also known as Notre Dame of Chartres.
• Finest example of High Gothic architecture.
• Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.
• One pyramidal spire was built around the 12th century and the other built in the early 16th century.
• Flying buttresses were used from the very beginning.
• Plate tracery uses thick stone areas to separate glazed areas.
• Known for its blue stained glass windows and labyrinth.
• Labyrinth is a maze of twisting passages.
• Geometric shapes like circles, squares, and triangles were used with no standard measurements

Amiens Cathedral (Paris, France)

• Commissioned by Bishop Evrard de Fouilly.
• Designed by Robert de Luzarches, Thomas de Cormont, and Renaud de Cormont.
• Unsymmetrical towers were built separately in 1366 (south) and 1406 (north).
• It is the largest French Cathedral.
• It contains a replica of the head of John the Baptist, which was brought by Crusaders.
• Polychromatic stones were discovered during restoration work.

Reims Cathedral (Champagne-Ardenne, France)

• Designed by Jean d' Orbais, Bernard de Soissons, Henri Deneux, Gaucher of Rheims, and Jean le Loup.
• French kings were crowned here.
• It features bar tracery linked to Rayonnant style.
• It was on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

Rayonnant Style

• Developed at the end of the High Gothic period.
• From the French word "to radiate".
• Known for flamelike pointed tracery.
• Clerestory windows extend to the triforium and feature radiating rose windows.
• Pierced gables and open tracery are used.
• Lateral brackets placed along the flying buttresses provided structural stability.

European Gothic Styles: Cologne Cathedral (Germany)

• Archbishop Konrad Von Hochstaden laid the foundation stone.
• Tallest cathedral in the world.
• World’s largest church facade.
• Dedicated to St. Peter and the Virgin Mary.
• Double aisle from end to end provides more structural support.
• Features angel murals along spandrels.
• Clerestory extends to the triforium.
• Houses the Three King Shrine and relics/remains of the Three Magi of Christmas.

St. Elizabeth Marburg (Germany)

• Commissioned by the Order of the Teutonic Knights.
• Dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungry.
• An example of Hallenkirche
• Offset buttresses are used.
• Now a protestant Church after the remains of St. Elizabeth were removed and relocated to Austria, Vienna during the Reformation Movement
• Hallenkirche is a building in which the side aisles are the same height as the central nave.

English Gothic Architecture

• Developed in the British Isles.
• Gothic Architecture or Opus Franceginum was embraced in England where it was further developed independently from the French
• Divided into three periods or styles: Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular.

Early English Period

• Also known as the Lancet or First Pointed Style.
• Quadripartite ribbing and slender, spired towers.
• Piers with narrow, clustered shafts.
• Clustered piers or shafts are similar to French styles.
• Sculptures communicate to illiterate worshippers..
• Hood, Label, or Dripstone molding over windows and doors.
• Acute or Lancet Arches and dogtooth molding.

Salisbury Cathedral (Wiltshire, England)

• Commissioned and built by Bishop Richard Poore.
• Also known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• Completed by 1258 in a unified Early English style.
• Built in the East-West tradition with a typical square east end.
• Features the largest English Gothic cloister.
• A cloister is a rectangular open space surrounded by covered walks or open galleries.

Wells Cathedral (Somerset, England)

• Commissioned by Bishop Reginald de Bohun and finished by Bishop Jocelyn of Wells.
• Also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew.
• The facade is filled with 500 sculptures, 300 of which are original.
• The Facade was originally polychromatic in red, gold, and green colors
• A chapter house is attached to the cathedral.

Lincoln Cathedral (Lincolnshire, England)

• Commissioned by St. Hugh of Lincoln (Avalon, France).
• Also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Mary.
• It was once the tallest structure before the spire collapsed due to bad weather, causing the other two spires were eventually removed due to structural issues.

Decorated Period

• Also known as Geometric, Curvilinear, and Flamboyant.
• It's sometimes divided into Geometric and Curvilinear styles.
• Focuses on foliage patterns (rose, ivy, vines) with human, animal, or bird figures.
• Elaborate tracery and ornamentation are found in window heads.
• Windows were wider compared to lancet windows through the use of flying buttresses.
• Features ballflower moldings.
• Lierne or Stellar Vault is a tertiary rib spanning between two other ribs. Ogee Arches are used.

Exeter Cathedral (Devon, South West England)

• Originally commissioned by Bishop William Warelwast, renovation commissioned by Bishop Walter Bronescombe in 1275.
• Also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter.
• Finest example of Decorated Style.
• Facade retains Norman architecture, and Purbeck Marble is used.
• A Lady Chapel is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Perpendicular Period

• Use of fan vault ceilings.
• Hammerbeam roofs are commonly used.
• Elaborate flying buttresses with pinnacles, crockets, and pendants.
• Windows were maximized for a lighter interior.
• Strong emphasis on vertical lines in window tracery and wall paneling.
• The squared-off Hood or Dripstone molding fills spaces or spandrels with ornamentation.

Gloucester Cathedral (Gloucestershire, England)

• Commissioned by Abbot Serlo.
• Originally a Norman structure, it was renovated due to fire and other calamities.
• The Perpendicular style renovation started in 1331.
• The most complete and earliest use of Perpendicular style in England.
• It was used as a filming location for the first Harry Potter movie.

King's College Chapel (Cambridge, England)

• Commissioned by King Henry VI, who also founded the King's College.
• Designed by Reginald Ely or Nicholas Close.
• It was finished by Henry VIII.
• Features Tudor arches and the world’s largest fan vault ceiling and is the finest example of Perpendicular Style.