Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

The text describes the general layout of churches, noting the wide nave and double aisles.
The text highlights the chevet, which are radiating chapels in churches.

Pointed arch vaulting is a key feature of Gothic churches.
Rib and panel vaulting systems characterized Gothic architecture, including 4-ribbed and 6-ribbed vaulting.
Star shaped or Stellar vaulted ceilings are also characteristic of Gothic churches.

A flying buttress is a strong arch that starts from a detached pier and supports a wall.
Flying buttresses are a hallmark of Gothic architecture.

Rose windows are circular windows often found in Gothic churches.
They are also called wheel windows.
The type of rose window can be used to classify Gothic architecture.
The Primary Period or Lancet Period is the first period, occurring from the 12th to 13th century A.D.
The Secondary Period or Rayonnant Period took place from the 13th to 14th century A.D.
The Tertiary Period or Flamboyant Period occurred between the 14th and 16th century AD.

Tracery refers to the geometric decorations on rose windows.
Tracery was prevalent in Gothic churches and commonly found in the front facade of the church.

Gothic architects invented stained glass, a colorful glass made from small pieces composed together.
Stained glass was often incorporated into rose windows and other church windows.
Stained glass has three main properties:
- It displays brilliant transparent pictures.
- It resembles precious stones.
- It has a mystical quality, glowing without requiring fire.

Gargoyles are statues or fountains of rough human and animal forms found in front of Gothic churches.

Western Europe began forming into separate nations by the end of the 12th century.
Countries like Italy, Germany, France, and Spain became independent kingdoms.
England had vast territories in France.

Gothic architecture was influenced by the availability of building materials.
For example, in Italy, white and colored marble were readily available.
In England and France, coarse-grained stone was common, while Germany used bricks.

Climate varied across Europe from North to South, and East to West.
Northern climates were dull, leading to large windows and high-pitched roofs to allow in sunlight and drain rain and snow.
Southern climates were bright, leading to smaller windows to block out sunlight and flat roofs due to less rainfall.

Bishops and Popes held significant power, increasing the influence and dominance of churches.

Towns and cities developed rapidly, which led to the construction of public buildings.
City life flourished and people experienced increased freedom.

Gothic churches were symmetrical in plan.
They emphasized the nave, with transepts and the apse given less importance.
Large windows divided by vertical mullions and horizontal transoms were often used, featuring stained glass.

Gothic churches are known for their imposing front towers.
Columns divide the central nave into wider bays, featuring cylindrical columns with Corinthian capitals and pointed arches.
Statues were created to be proportional to the human scale and served as an integral part of the building.

Notre-Dame, Paris is considered one of the prime examples of French Gothic architecture.
Constructed over a period of two centuries from 1163 to 1345, it has a cruciform plan.
The nave, transept, and tower were adapted from Romanesque architecture, while incorporating Gothic elements like pointed arches and rib-vaulting.
Notre-Dame, Paris was one of the first buildings to utilize flying buttresses.
It consists of a choir and apse, a short transept, and a nave with double aisles.
It features two massive early Gothic towers on the western facade.
It retains its 13th century stained glass in its three great rose windows.
The apse at the east end features large clerestory windows.
It showcases many small individual hand-crafted statues positioned around the exterior, serving as column supports and water sprouts, including the famous gargoyles.