Gothic ArchitectureGothic Architecture Gothic art covers the period from the mid-1100’s to about 1400. The term Gothic originated with Italian Renaissance humanists of the 15th and 16th centuries. It refers to the Germanic Goths who invaded Italy in the A.D. 400’s. Humanists considered medieval art as crude and barbaric, created by the uncivilized Goths. But the truth is: Gothic art has nothing to do with the barbarian Goths. Architects combined many different elements of Romanesque art to create the new Gothic style. It is important to know that during the 12th and 13th centuries the style of architecture was called opus francigenum,” or French work, in recognition of its French origin. The Gothic style is generally characterized by extensive slenderness of the architectural forms. is often identified with such constructional devices as rose/stained-glass windows, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses (brick or stone arched supports built against the outside walls). However, both pointed arches and ribbed vaults were present in the Romanesque style, which thrived during the 1000’s and the early 1100’s. The difference between Romanesque and Gothic styles is the way in which space is conceived. Space in a Romanesque building is achieved by adding bays, unit by unit, to create the total space. This is in part because of square schematism and alternate-support system). But a Gothic building is conceived as a total space that is subdivided into units. The space does not seem as compartmentalized and the nave seems like a more continuous space. A vast hall illuminated and transformed by glowing, mystic light.

The double ambulatory and seven radiating chapels were constructed by Abbot Suger. St. Denis. Each radiating chapel is lit by two large windows whose width take whole span of the piers and they are shallow so that the stained glasses seem a series of diaphanous wall. Abbot Suger said, "lifting the mind from the material to the spiritual.“ Here appeared the House of God Suger imagined and Gothic architecture started.

The cross-ribbed vaults of the ambulatory.

Note: Cross rib vault was found in Anglo-Norman Cathedral during eleventh to twelfth century such as Durham (England) and Winchester (England) and abbey church of Lessay (France). One of the firstest appearance of flying buttresses are abbey church of Cluny (about 1130) and the Cathedral of Sens (12c.).

Plans of crypt (top) & choir (bottom) of St.-Denis

Abbey Church, Saint-Denis. Ambulatory and radiating chapels

Monument of Louis XII and Anne of Bretagne1351-1400-MarbleAbbey Church, Saint-Denis

Monument of Louis XII and Anne of Bretagne ， 1351-1400 ， MarbleAbbey Church, Saint-Denis

Tomb of Dagobert Ic. 1260. Stone. Abbey Church, Saint-Denis.This is one of the many monuments remade at the order of St Louis. The tomb of Dagobert I (died 638) is heavily restored but the main outlines of it are medieval. It has an interest in that it preserves its original canopy. No other canopies survive, but many of the monuments preserve the tomb-chest.

Abbey Church of St.-Denis, France. It was originated as a small chapel at the graveyard of Saint Denis in 5th century. After 7th, Basilique Saint-Denis became the royal abbey church. The third Basilique Saint-Denis was rebuilt in 775 of Carolingian era. Gothic art had started with Saint-Denis and Cathedral Sens (about 1135-68). Many original forms of the Gothic style is found in Saint-Denis, such as cross rib vault and flying buttresses.Saint-Denis was a beginning of the luminous choir by Suger, symbol of the glace of God. Abbot Suger (1081-1151) began to reconstruct the church in 1137, completed west facade and narthex in the 1140 and completed choir in 1144. He continued to reconstruct the nave but he died in 1151 before finished it. The south tower follows the Romanesque models developed in Normandy. The north tower (before 1129) was removed by Viollet-le-Duc after 1847 because of the differential settlement during the repairing (1836-46).

Exterior: North view.

Abbey Church of St.-Denis, France.

French, Early Gothic Abbey Church of St.-Denis: interior, nave facing E. towards apse. begun ca. 1140-1144 A.D. (completed ca. 1231-1281 A.D.) It is said that the nave, including the upper part of the choir and transept, was reconstructed by probably Pierre de Montreuil (about 1200-67) and others (possibly one of those was Jean de Chelles; ?-1270) from 1231 to 1281. Viollet-le-Duc (Eugene Emmanuel, 1814-79) repaired from 1836 to 1846.

13th Century Nave

Plan of Abbey church, Saint-Denis. 1140-1144

Map of the Town of St. Denis in 1706

Reconstruction of Suger's Church by Dehio

Current Floorplan

Nave Elevation ， Saint Denis

Nave ElevationSaint Denis

Interior towards West from Crossing St. Denis, North Aisle to West

Glass in Nave, St. Denis South arm of Transept

Sometimes said that the verticality in Gothic architecture means directionality to heaven from on earth and here, in Saint-Denis, the directionality is overlaid recursively. Jesse Trees were common in twelfth and thirteenth century manuscripts, murals, sculpture and stained glass. They represent the genealogy of Christ, since they depict the Virgin Mary as descended from Jesse, the father of King David. St. Denis

Interior-Crypt, St. Denis

Saint-Denis was extremely important because it held the tombs of many French Kings and Queens. These were not only important works of art, but were important symbols of royal power. General Views: (Note that the tombs have been moved several times and tombs from other places have been transported here as well). 

Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis

Construction of a Gothic cathedral

Laon Cathedral, Laon, France. begun c. 1190

Laon Cathedral

Laon Cathedral: W. front, central portal.begun ca. 1190 A.D.

Laon Cathedral: W. front, central portal, detail "Coronation of the Virgin“ tympanum and voussoirs. begun ca. 1190 A.D.

Nave of Laon Cathedral. begun. c. 1190

Laon Cathedral, nave elevation showing clerestory, triforum, gallery, and nave arcade levels. ca. 1160-1205 A.D.

Aerial view of Notre-Dame, Paris

Notre-Dame, Paris. West facade. begun c. 1215

French, High Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris: exterior, view from SE.. ca. 1163-1250 A.D.

French, High Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris: exterior, view from SE.. ca. 1163-1250 A.D.

Notre Dame, Parisc. 1163-1250.

Notre-Dame, Paris. View of nave

Notre-Dame, Paris. The Virgin of Paris. early 14th century

Notre-Dame, Paris. Rose Window of the north transcept. 1240-1250

Notre-Dame, Paris. Row of gargoyles, north side

Notre-Dame, Paris. Story of Adam and Eve on main portal

Chartres Cathedral. Aerial viewbegun 1134; rebuilt after 1194 Chartres, France

Chartres Cathedral: exterior, view from SE. showing towers of West front. (begun mid-12th century; N. spire added ca. 1507-1514 A.D.)

Chartres Cathedral: exterior, detail of flying buttresses on N. side (view from N. transept). ca. 1194-1220

Chartres Cathedral: West front, "Royal Portals.“ ca. 1145-1170 A.D.

Chartres Cathedral: detail tympanum (Christ in Majesty), lintel and archivolts of C. door of West front, "Royal Portals". ca. 1145-1170 A.D.

Chartres Cathedral: The Ascension, tympanum from N. door of West front, "Royal Portals". ca. 1145-1170 A.D.

Chartres Cathedral: The Nativity, tympanum from S. door of West front, "Royal Portals". ca. 1145-1170 A.D.

Chartres: Jamb statues on Central doorway of Royal Portal. Left: Old Testament queen and two kings, 1140-1155

Old Testament precursors of Christ, jamb figures from S. door of West front, "Royal Portals". ca. 1145-1170 A.D

Detail, scenes from the Life of Christ: capital frieze from R. side, S. door of West front, "Royal Portals".

Chartres: Old Testament precursors of Christ, jamb figures from S. door of West front, "Royal Portals". ca. 1145-1170 A.D.

Old Testament figures, jamb statues from S. door of West front,

Chartres Cathedral. Jamb statues of Saints Martin, Jerome, and Gregory.Porch of the Confessors (right doorway), south transept, Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France. 1220-1230.

Nave of Chartres Cathedral.

Nave of Chartres Cathedral. begun 1194

Elevations of nave walls of Laon (left) & Chartres (right). Elevation of Chartres drawn to a smaller scale than Laon elevation

Chartres Cathedral.Notre Dame de la Belle Verrière (Our Lady of the Beautiful Glass), 12th. Stained glass was to the Gothic cathedral what mosaics were to the early Christian church: a source of religious edification, a medium of divine light, and a delight to the eye. Produced on the site of the cathedral by a process of mixing metal oxides into molten glass, colored sheets of glass were cut into fragments to fit preconceived designs. They were then fixed within lead bands, bound by a grid of iron bars, and set into stone mullions (vertical frames). The glass vibrates with color, sparkling in response to the changing natural light and casting rainbows of color that seemed to dissolve the stone walls. They were regarded as glass tapestries that clothed the House of God with radiant light. Rich blues were preferred (sapphires).

The Creation of Adam and Eve and the temptation, 1200-25. Stained-glass window, south aisle, Chartes.

Chartres Cathedral. Stained glass of Life of Christ: Annunciation detail. c. 1150

Chartres: rose and lancets, 13th. South Transept.

diameter of rose: 13 m North transept

St. Etienne, Bourges. Begun mid 1195-1255, view from the southeast.

St. Etienne

St. Etienne (Bourges Cathedral), 1225-1250 (nave facing east)

St. Etienne

St. Etienne

St. Etienne

St. Etienne

Reims Cathedral. c. 1225-1290

Reims Cathedral. West porch, central portal. c. 1225-1290

Reims Cathedral: exterior, Visitation group; Archangel Gabriel with the Annunciate Virgin; Mary and Elizabeth; jamb figures from W. facade [C. portal, L. side]. ca. 13th century.

Reims Cathedral: interior, W. wall, detail showing R. portion of arch trellis screen with niche statues. ca. 1211-1290 century.

Reims Cathedral. Retrofacade. Abraham and Melchizedek, after 1251.

Reims Cathedral: interior

Amiens Cathedral. c. 1220-1236 Amiens, France (area above the rose window, early sixteenth century)

Nave of Amiens Cathedral. c. 1220-1236

Amiens Cathedral: interior, S. aisle, view through transept towards W. entrance.ca. 1220-1236 A.D.

Amiens Cathedral. Christ treading on the Lion, from central portal. begun 1220

Comparison of nave elevations in the same scale: 1. Laon; 2. Paris; 3. Chartres; 4. Reims; 5. Amiens

Sainte-Chapelle, Paris. 1243-48

Sainte-Chapelle: interior, facing E.. ca. 1243-1248 A.D.

Sainte-Chapelle: interior of upper chapel. 1243-48 , facing E., detail of shrine and lancet windows. ca. 1243-1248 A.D.

Sainte-Chapelle: interior, detail of painted sculptural decoration, N. wall.ca. 1243-1248 A.D.

Sainte-Chapelle

Cathedral Saint-Pierre de Beauvais, France, is located on the 60km south of Paris. The cathedral is very huge but only choir and two transepts have been constructed. 1247-1272. It was constructed in 10th century besides of Notre-dame de Beauvais at Caroling Period. The cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1180 and in 1225. The reconstruction begun in 1225.The construction of the choir was completed in 1272 but the vault of it had fellen down in 1284.The Choir was reconstructed again in 1322, adding another pier between each piers and changing the quadripartite vaults to sexpartite vaults. North and south transept was constructed in 1500-48. The tall tower at the crossing, 151m high, was constructed in 1558-69 but the tower had fellen in 1773 and never reconstructed again.

The nave was not constructed. The south transept is the main gate now.

Beauvais Cathedral

Beauvais Cathedral

The fortified town of Carcassonne. 12-13th centuries. Carcassonne, France. Bastions and towers, 12-13 centuries, restored by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century

Artist: Villard de Honnecourt. Figures based on geometric shapes, Page from a sketchbook. c. 1220-1235. Ink on vellum, 9 1/2 x 6" Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

God as architect of the world. c. 1220-1230. Ink, tempera, and gold leaf on vellum, 34 x 21 cm. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna, Austria

Blanche of Castile, Louis IX, and two monks. 1226-1234. Ink, tempera, and gold leaf on vellum, 38 X 27 cm. Dedication page (folio 8 recto) of a moralized Bible, from Paris, France, 1226-1234. Pierpont Morgan Library, New York

Abraham and the Three Angels, from Psalter of Saint Louis. 1253-1270. Ink, tempera, and gold leaf on vellum, 13 x 9 cm. Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

David anointed by Samuel and the battle of David and Goliath. 1296 A.D. Ink and tempera on vellum, 20 x 12.5 cm. Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France

David before Saul, from the Belleville Breviary. c 1325. Ink and tempera on vellum, 9 1/2 x 6 3/4“. Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Virgin of Jeanne d'Evreux, from the abbey church of Saint-Denis, 1339. Silver gilt and enamel, 70 cm high. Louvre, Paris, France

The Castle of Love and knights jousting, lid of a jewelry casket. ca. 1330-1350

Gothic Outside of France:St.-Maclou, Rouen. c. 1500-1514. Rouen, France.

St.-Maclou, Rouen.

Salisbury Cathedral, England. 1220-1258. West facade completed 1265; spire around 1320-1330

Salisbury Cathedral, England. 1220-1258

Nave of Salisbury Cathedral. 1220-1258

Gloucester Cathedral. 1330-1357. Gloucester, England

Gloucester Cathedral. Choir ceiling vaults, 1332-1357. Gothic, English: Perpendicular Style.

Tomb of Edward II, Gloucester Cathedral. 1330-1335

Gloucester Cathedral. Cloister. 1330-1357

Westminster Abbey. There has been a place of worship on this site for well over a thousand years, and every monarch since William the Conqueror in 1066, bar two, have been crowned under it's roof in an elaborate ceremony that is steeped in history and tradition. The towers date only to the 1730s and 40s, when they were begun by a pupil of Christopher Wren. The church itself was begun in 1245 and reflects Henry III's fondness for things French.

Westminister Abbey, London. Early 13th. Based on the first abbey of 1065.

Westminster Abbey. North Portal

Westminster Abbey. Nave. 1503-1519

Westminster Abbey. Choir. 1503-1519

Westminster Abbey. Chapel of Henry VII. 1503-1519

Henry VII's Tomb, Westminster Abbey. 1509-1519

In England, like in France in the same period, much of the most individual sculptural work went into private family enterprises like tombs. The English royal family commissioned some splendid tombs, many of which still survive in Westminster Abbey. That of Edmund Crouchback (died 1296) survives virtually intact. It has a large canopy, and, like other contemporary French monuments, the sides are ornamented with family "weepers".

Canterbury Cathedral. begun 12th century, Canterbury, England

Tomb of Edward the Black Prince, Canterbury Cathedral. 1377-1380.

Gilded bronze

German Gothic: St. Elizabeth, Marburg, Germany. 1233-1283.

Interior of St. Elizabeth, Marburg

Cathedral of Cologne, Germany. 1248-1322

Cologne Cathedral, Germany. begun 1248. Architect was Gerhard of Cologne. Nave, facade, and towers completed 1880

Choir of Cologne Cathedral. 1322

Shrine of the Three Kings, from Cologne Cathedral. begun c. 1190. Silver, bronze, enamel, and gemstones, 173 x 183 x 112 cm. Cathedral Treasurey, Cologne.

Cathedral of Notre Dame, Strasbourg, France c. 1230

Death of the Virgin c. 1230 Stone Cathedral, Strasbourg. This group is on the tympanum of west portal of south transept. It is the first clear example of first-class sculpture in Germany derived in style from France. The figures are dependent on the style of the best transept sculpture of Chartres Cathedral, with influence in the drapery and the grace of the figures from the intervening sculpture at Rheims.

Ekkehard and Uta, from Naumburg Cathedral. c. 1249-1255. Painted limestone, approx. 188cm high. West choir, Naumburg Cathedral, Germany.

Equestrian portrait Sandstone, 236 cm high (Bamberg Rider), from East Choir, Bamberg Cathedral. c. 1235-1240

Virgin with the Dead Christ, from the Rhineland, Germany. c. 1300-1325. Painted wood, 87.5 cm high. Rheinisches Landemuseum, Bonn

Florence Cathedral, Italy. 1296-1436

Nave of Florence Cathedral

Orvieto Cathedral, Italy. begun 1310

Orvieto Cathedral, west facade. Judgement Day. 1320. West facade, Orvieto Cathedral, Orvieto, Italy

Milan Cathedral, Italy. begun 1386

Milan Cathedral, 1380's-19th century. Begun in the 1380's on a site where several churches had existed earlier, the building of this cathedral was fraught with difficulties. Over a number of years several different architects and consultants (including Leonardo and Bramante) were asked to work on the design. The cathedral is white marble, over a brick core, and has a cruciform plan. One of the largest cathedrals in the world (14,000 square yards) it was designed to accommodate 40,000 worshippers. The forest of pinnacles, the tracery panels, and the rich embellishment with statuary identifies it as Late Gothic. Closer to France than most Italian cathedrals, it borrows more directly from the French "rayonnant" style.

Milan Cathedral. 135 pinnacles. begun 1386.

The main entrance portal, In the 1650's work was begun on the western facade but it was not completed until the 19th century. This facade is more classical in detail than Gothic.

Cathedral of Siena, Italy. begun late 1280s

Cathedral of Siena, Italy. Facade. begun late 1280s

Palazzo Publico, Siena, Italy. 1288-1309

Doge's Palace, Venice. c. 1345-1438

Doge's Palace, Venice. c. 1345-1438 Hallway in the Doge's Palace. Venice. Italy

Italian Gothic, Ca' d'Oro, Venice: view from the Grand Canal. ca.1422-1440 A.D.