Gothic art vocab

book of hours

A common type of illuminated manuscript that was created for personal devotion and contained a collection of texts, prayers, and psalms

ogival

the roundly tapered end of a two- or three-dimensional object

lancent arch

A sharp pointed arch used in doors and windows, etc.

jamb statues

a figure carved on the jambs of a doorway or window

trumeau

the central pillar or mullion supporting the tympanum of a large doorway

ambulatory

the round walkway encircling the altar in many cathedrals

spire

A tapering structure built on a roof or tower, especially as one of the central architectural features of a church or cathedral roof.

gilt

a thin layer of gold or other metal

sacristy

a room in a church where sacred vessels/books/vestments are kept

polyptych

a work consisting of multiple painted or carved panels joined together, often with hinges

foreshortening

a technique for creating the appearance that the object of a drawing is extending into space by shortening the lines with which that object is drawn

lierne

a tertiary rib connecting one rib of a rib vault to another

rib

a structural or decorative member of a vault. Ribs commonly project below the vault's surface and have a moulded profile. In a rib vault, they form a framework between the panels of masonry known as the webs.

tierceron

a rib in a Gothic rib vault that runs from the springing point to a point on the ridge that is not the central boss or keystone. When used over multiple bays of a building, this gives the effect of spreading palm trees.