Gothic Architecture

Rebuilding the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis

1137-1144

Construction begins on Cathedral of Notre-Dame at Paris

1163

Reign of French King Philip August

1180-1223

Fire destroys Chartres Cathedral

1194

Fourth Crusade results in the sacking of Constantinople

1204

Construction begins on Salisbury Cathedral

1220

Spanish King Ferdinand III unites kingdoms of León and Castile

1230

Sainte-Chappell, court chapel of French King Louis IX, designed

1241

Italian Theologian Thomas Aquinas begins teaching in Paris

1252

Nicola Pisano’s Pisa Pulpit

1260

Turks expel Crusaders from Holy Land

1291

Dante composes the Divine Comedy

1307-1321

Jean Pucelle illuminates book of hours for Jeanne d’Évreux, Queen of France

1325-1328

Hundred Years’ War between England and France

1339-1453

Black Death takes hold of Europe

1347

Joan of Arc burned at the stake

1431

Gothic Period began in Paris around

1140

The Gothic period spread

to the rest of Europe within one-century

The Gothic style began to dissipate by

1400

The Gothic style had disappeared by

1500

First Gothic building

Abbey church of Saint-Denis

Early Gothic architecture is characterized by

graceful architectural forms and large windows

The Gothic jamb was the first indication

that monumental sculpture was back in style.

By the end of the twelfth century, jamb figures

appeared more organic and influenced by Classicism.

The classicism created by early Gothic jamb figures lasted until

the early fourteenth century.

The High Gothic period in France was characterized by

the rebuilding of Chartres Cathedral during the thirteenth century

Emphasis in the High Gothic Period in France was placed on

verticality and translucency

High Gothic France jambs were

characterized by increased naturalism

Manuscript illumination was popular

in the High Gothic France

Scriptorium (pl. scriptoria)

A workroom in a monastery reserved for copying and illustrating manuscripts.

Gothic art spread due to the

1. Skill of the architects and artisans

2. Prestige of French centres of learning

3. Power of the Gothic style itself

Late Gothic art in France deviated from

Earlier Gothic style

In Late Gothic art in France, builders produced

complex visual displays - flamboyant style

In Late Gothic art in France, artists show a new interest in

Representing spatial depth, e.g. a Book of Hours

Guilds

Economic and social organizations that control the making and marketing of given products in a medieval city. To work as a painter or sculptor in a city, an individual had to belong to a guild, which established standards for the craft.

Scholasticism

A school of medieval thought that tries to reconcile faith and reason by combining ancient philosophy with Christian theology.

Abbot Suger

Founder of Gothic Architecture. Rebuilt the Saint-Denis.

Spire

A tall tower that rises high above a roof. Spires are commonly associated with church architecture and are frequently found on Gothic structures.

Nave

The central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most of the congregation. In traditional Western churches it is rectangular, separated from the chancel by a step or rail, and from adjacent aisles by pillars.

Sexpartite Vault

a ribbed groin vault in which each bay is divided into six compartments by the addition of a transverse rib across the center.

Quadripartite vault

The normal Gothic vault, four-part vaults

Theophilus Presbyter

Benedictine monk and metalworker. Theophilus’ text, De diversis artibus, written in the twelfth century, is the first in the Western tradition to give a practitioner’s account of the technology of art production, particularly in glass production.

Flying buttress

Arched bridge above the aisle roof that extends from the upper nave wall, where the lateral thrust of the main vault is greatest, down to a solid pier.

Lancet

A tall, pointed window common in Gothic architecture.

Rose Window

A large, circular window with stained glass and stone tracery, frequently used on façades and at the ends of transepts in Gothic churches.

Cames

Strips of lead in stained-glass windows that hold the pieces of glass together.

Grisaille glass

White glass painted with gray designs.

Manuscript illumination

Decoration of handwritten documents, scrolls, or books with drawings or paintings. Illuminated manuscripts were often produced during the Middle Ages.

Flamboyant

Literally meaning “flamelike” in French, describes a late phase of Gothic architecture where undulating curves and reverse curves were a main feature.

Andachtsbild

German for “devotional image.” A picture or sculpture with imagery intended for private devotion. It was first developed in Northern Europe.

Pietà

Italian word for both “pity” and “piety.” A representation of the Virgin grieving over the dead Christ. When used in a scene recording a specific moment after the Crucifixion, it is usually called a Lamentation.