6.6- Gothic art and architecture

Gothic Medieval period

1144 to about 1300 CE

considerations of the development of Gothic style

1. Paris becomes the intellectual center of Gothic Europe-home of scholasticism

2. growing importance of the Cult of the Virgin- churches built to “Notre Dame”

3. Growth of citiess shifts patronage away from monasteries to urban Bishops and clergy

4. political power of French kings is consolidated due to taxation, laws, government = stability

5. development of new building technology

structural devices of Gothic architecture

1. flying buttress: supports roof vaulting, allows for more window space/light

2. ribbed-groin: roof structure= flexibility of the shape of the bays

3. pointed arch: opening of space = greater verticality (more thrust downward/less thrust outward)

Life changers for the Gothic population

Financial & Social Development- Growth changed life for the Gothic population

→development of international banking (rapidly)

→ taxing churches

→ Paris was the hub of Europe trade fairs brought together Europeans of many cultures

→art was bought and sold

→better life in the cities

→better educated administrators and bureaucrats

scholasticism

new rational approach to philosophy and theology, which examined, questioned, clarified and codified christian practice

→ the intellectual and spiritual

crusades in the gothic era

had begun in late 11th century, but little political or military success

Islamic culture

Where did western Europe get scientific and philosophical developments?

ridicule

The term “Gothic” was originally used to __________ late medieval art and architecture

Giorgio Vasari

known for being the author of “lives of the most eminent painters, sculptors, and architects”

Gothic art

was crude, monstrous, barbarous.

→ also flamboyant

inventors of Gothic style

invented by the goths; Germanic northerners, who had destroyed classical civilization of the Roman empire that everyone had admired.

Romanesque forms

What did Gothic art replace?

→ was also inspired by these forms

Abbot Suger

friend and advisor to Louis VI and Louis VII. He was also educated at the monastery of Saint- Denis near head of a community of monks.

Abbot Sugers vision of architecture

his vision of architecture is based on the belief that the material beauty of church would lead worshipers to a new understanding of God and spiritual realm

Cathedral of St. Denis and it held the relics of Saint Denis

What was the first Gothic structure, and what did it hold?

→designed by abbot suger

Romanesque vs. Gothic Cathedrals

1. use of intersecting ribs replaced vault allowing for better distribution of weight over the columns freeing walls

2. flying buttresses, which often made building resemble a large insect, improved the distribution of weight

3. Romanesque→ round arch vs. Gothic- pointed arch

4. Romanesque 3 story vs. Gothic- 4 story

   1. nave, arcade

   2. vaulted gallery

   3. triforium (Gothic)

   4. clerestory

Relic in the Chartres Cathedral

long piece of linen believed to have been worn by Mary- a gift from Charlemagne donated to the cathedral by King Charles in 876

Relic in the Chartres Cathedral

the healing power attributed to this relic and association with Mary made Chartres a major pilgrimage destination as Cult of the Virgin grew.

Characteristic of Gothic portal

1. Throughout the 12^th and 13^th centuries, increasing sense of realism in door jamb sculpture-from the iconic to naturalism

development from early style

extreme elongation –stylization       

            -“archaic style”  -linear-quality drapery of figures

late Gothic statuary

 Slow movement to the greater realism and naturalism of door jamb sculptures of______________:  

-figures begin to interact with each other   -move away from confines of door jamb shape –proportion more realistic  - individualization of faces  -attempt at contrapposto and more natural stance   -figures reflect a great understanding of anatomy

Courtly style of Late Gothic sculpture

• Free standing sculpture (in the round!) begins to be done 

            -Gothic “S-Curve” in figure=new elegance

- “doll-like” face, large eyes, small mouth, crown on head

German Gothic sculpture

-growing tendency toward naturalism

-expressionist quality in some works

Romanesque 1050-1200

Religion:

• Christ is the judge

• people live in fear

• the last judgement common subject

• crusades

• pilgrimages

Economics

• feudalism- little economic freedom

• new trade routes

Rural society

• monasteries

architecture

• churches solid and grounded

• destination of pilgrimages route

Gothic 1100-1500

Religion:

• god is less vengeful

• virgin Mary is the queen of heaven-intervener

• triumph of the papacy

Society

• emphasis on education and philosphy

• importance of women

• courtly love

• chilvalry

Economics and politics

• trade

• craft guilds and unions

• emerging kingdoms

Urbanization

• urban churches vertical thin and light

triforium

-band of arcades below the clerestory; is placed in front of exterior wall covered by sloping roof

lancets

Tall narrow windows ending in pointed arches

rose window

circular stained glass

Flying Buttresses

arches that support taller structure.  Used as early as 1150 in smaller churches.  Solved problem of constructing huge naves and huge windows with stained glass

gargoyles

carved human or animal face or figure projecting from the gutter of a building, typically acting as a spout to carry water clear of a wall

• placed along the entire edge-grotesque human/animal form

colonettes

small slender columns