Art 108: Ancient to Medieval

Westchester Community College

Fall 2013

Dr. Melissa Hall

Gothic Sculpture

While the interior of the Gothic Cathedral was increasingly dematerialized with the heavenly light of god . . .

The Stone BibleThe exterior was covered with hundreds of carved sculpture

Jean Fouquest, The Building of a Cathedral, 1465Image source: http://cgfa.acropolisinc.com/fouquet/p-fouquet4.htm

West façade: 1134 - Early GothicNave and transepts: after 1194 - High Gothic

Chartres Cathedral is an excellent place to study the evolution of Gothic sculpture

The west portal dates from 1134 -- the Early Gothic period

The north and south portals date from the High Gothic period

Gothic HumanismGothic sculpture evolved towards greater naturalism, similar to the evolution of Geek sculpture

This trend towards “naturalism” was a direct result of the rediscovery of classical learning at Chartres University

Gothic Humanism

Plato, Seneca, and Aristotle, from Devotional and Philosophical Writings, c. 1330Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plato_Seneca_Aristotle_medieval.jpg

Gothic HumanismAristotle taught that scientific “observation” was a path to knowledge of the world

The increasing “naturalism” of Gothic sculpture can be attributed to his influence

Gothic HumanismGeometry is also feature of Chartres Cathedral, reflecting the belief that the universe is literally “designed” by god

God as Architect of the World. Gothic Art. 1,200 CE

Building the Great Cathedrals – Science + Religionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Zaj35d3zE&feature=player_embedded

Chartres Cathedral, west façade, 1134

The west portal is called the Royal Portal because of its connections to the French monarchy

The jamb statues depict the kings and queens of the old testament

Like the kings on the North Rose window, they proclaim the royal ancestry of Christ

And they legitimize the French monarchy, who claimed to be descended from the Old Testament kings and queens

Yup, my family is descended from the Old Testament kings

The figures are called “jamb statues” because they decorate the door jambs of the entrance

They are long and slender, like the columns they are attached to

Unrealistic proportionsWeightlessNo body beneath the drapery

But they have a lifelike quality not seen since Greek and Roman times

But the faces have a lifelike quality not seen since Greek and Roman times

They resemble Greek Archaic statues -- and reflect a reawakening interest in representing the human form naturally

Gothic HumanismSome even have expressions resembling the Archaic smile

Gothic HumanismSome even have expressions resembling the Archaic smile

The central tympanum depicts the familiar theme of the Theophany

HumanismNaturalism = scientific observation

Humanism = acceptance of human knowledge of the world

The Romanesque tympanum emphasized damnation and the terrors of hell

The Gothic portal emphasizes Christ’s humanity and the promise of salvation

North portal entrance

Jamb figures are even more animated and lifelike

The sculptures on the South portal were completed last

Gothic S-curveSt. Theodore is standing in the gothic S-curve pose

Gothic S-curveHe is dressed in the costume of a medieval knight

Gothic HumanismJesus, Mary, the Apostles and the saints take on natural human characteristics

Gothic HumanismEmphasis on Christ’s humanity, rather than his divinity

Central Tympanum, Chartres Cathedral, South Portal, trumeau

Emphasis on forgiveness and salvation, rather than damnation