Gothic Art

Gothic Art

• Originated in France

• Characterized by height, light, and decoration

Spread of Gothic Architecture

• France: Birthplace and stylistic core

• Spain: Evolved through Full, Flamboyant, and Isabelline styles

• England: Known for decorative fan vaults and long, horizontal plans

• Italy: More conservative and classical; less extreme verticality

Gothic Architectural Features

• Pointed Arch: Tall, narrow; supports more weight than round arches.

• Flying Buttress: Exterior arch that supports walls; enables large windows.

• Rose Window: Large circular stained-glass window, usually on facades.

• Ribbed Vault: Crossed arches (ribs) supporting vaulted ceilings.

• Fan Vauts: Ribbed vault

  that resembles an open

  fan

• Pier: Large vertical support for arches and vaults.

• Stained Glass: Colored glass with biblical scenes; lets in symbolic light.

• Pinnacle: Tall decorative spire; adds weight to buttresses.

• Tracery: Ornamental stonework holding stained glass in place.

Gothic Styles

Rayonnant Gothic (France)

• Focused on light and decoration, not height

• Key features: large stained-glass windows, slender forms, elaborate tracery

Flamboyant Gothic (France & Spain)

• Late Gothic with flame-like curves in tracery and decoration

• Excessive ornamentation, wavy lines, intricate stonework

Late Gothic English (England)

• Strong vertical lines, massive windows, fan vaults

Isabelline Gothic

• Named after Queen Isabella I

• Mix of Flamboyant Gothic + Mudéjar + Renaissance

• Decorative, heraldic symbols, used in royal architecture

France – Key Monuments

• Basilica of St. Denis:

  • First Gothic building, use of ribbed vaults and stained glass

• Chartres Cathedral

  • Early Gothic; famous for rose windows, portal sculpture, buttresses

• Amiens Cathedral:

  • High Gothic; taller, more complex; sculpted west façade with tracery, trefoils, and quatrefoils

• Sainte-Chapelle:

  • Rayonnant Gothic; built to house relics

  • Famous for walls of stained glass

Spain – Key Monuments

• Toledo Cathedral

  • Full Gothic, built over a mosque; richly sculpted choir and chapels

• Segovia Cathedral

  • Flamboyant style, late Gothic with intricate façades

England – Key Monuments

• Exeter Cathedral

  • Notable for fan vaults (stone ribs in radial patterns)

• King’s College Chapel, Cambridge

  • Masterpiece of fan vaulting and late Gothic English design

Painting – Gothic and Proto-Renaissance

International Gothic Style

• Wilton Diptych:

  • English/French work, delicate figures, gold backgrounds w egg tempera

• Cimabue’s Madonna Enthroned:

  • Combines Byzantine formality with Gothic expression

Proto-Renaissance in Italy

• Giotto’s Madonna Enthroned:

  • More volume and emotion, breaking with Gothic flatness

• Giotto’s Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel frescoes:

  • Narrative, human emotion

  • Key scenes: Lamentation, Last Judgment, Christ Entering Jerusalem

• Simone Martini’s Annunciation:

  • Elegant lines, International Gothic luxury, gold leaf