GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE ⋆ Archi-Monarch

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Gothic architecture (12 – 15^th century) Gothic architecture began mainly in France, where architects were inspired by Romanesque architecture and the pointed arches of Spanish Moorish architecture. It is easy to recognize Gothic buildings because of their arches, ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses, elaborate sculptures (like gargoyles) and stained-glass window. Gothic architecture was originally known as “French Style”.

Gothic architecture is a European style of architecture that values height and exhibits an intricate and delicate aesthetic. Though its roots are French, the Gothic approach can be found in churches, cathedrals, and other similar buildings in Europe and beyond. Examples of Gothic architecture: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and St. Patricks Cathedral in Dublin.

1) Influences

History

12th – 13th centuries: Holy Roman Empire was reduced to the area of Germany Only 3 great kingdoms were left: France, England and Castile in Spain
Prosperous years in terms of agriculture – warm weather and invention of the windmill and watermill increased the amount of food produced
Most Europeans were Catholics
Church under the Pope brought Christians together
Entire Christianity was united against Muslims
The rulers, the church and townspeople spent wealth on building more castles, cathedrals and monasteries
Towns competed with each other to produce the best architecture.

Some 4000 new towns were built to accommodate the rising population
Towns became centers of trade – Paris, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples
Mixture of lands ruled by nobles
Feudal system – landlords ruled with tyranny
There was restlessness among the people
Towns became crowded and dirty – disease was rife

2) Architectural character

“Gothic” is a term used in reproach to this style
a departure from classic lines
Can be identified by the general use of pointed arch
Also called “Medieval Architecture”

Structural – Skeletal stone structure
Visual – Visual art were important including the role of light in structures.
Symbolic – i) Scholasticism, ii) Translations of real events into stone and glass, iii) Cathedrals served as an image of heaven

i) Characteristics of gothic architecture

Gothic architecture mainly: i) Airy and bright, ii) Focus on verticality, iii) Pointed arches, iv) Rib vaults, v) Flying buttresses, vi) Large stained-glass windows, vii) Ornaments and pinnacles etc..

ii) Pointed arch

Gothic architecture is not merely about ornamentation.
The Gothic style brought innovative new construction techniques that allowed charches and other buildings to reach great heights.
One important innovation was the use of pointed arches.
During the Gothic era, Builders discovered that pointed arches would give structures amazing strength and stability.
Builders turned from the semicircular, unbroken arch to the pointed arch
Looked lighter and pointed upward.

iii) Ribbed Vault

Organic metaphor alluding to the role of ribs in anatomy as the body’s skeletal structure supporting tissues.
Arches, usually three pairs per rectangular bay, running diagonally.
Cross ribs act together with outer frame to create a complete armature of arches along the edges and main folds of the vault.
Earlier Romanesque churches relied on barrel vaulting. Gothic builders introduced the dramatic technique of ribbed vaulting.
While barrel vaulting carried weight on continuous solid walls, ribbed vaulting used columns to support the weight
The ribs also delineated the vaults and gave a sense of unity to the structure.

iv) Flying Buttress

In order to prevent the outward collapse of the arches, Gothic architects began using a revolutionary “ flying buttress” system.
Freestanding brick or stone supports were attached to the exterior walls by an arch or a half-arch.

v) Stain Glass window

Since the walls themselves were no longer the primary supports, Gothic buildings could include large areas of glass.
Huge stained-glass windows and a profusion of smaller windows created the effect of lightness and space.

vi) Gargoyles

Cathedrals in the high Gothic style became increasingly elaborate.
Over several centuries, builders added towers, pinnacles, and hundreds of sculptures.
In addition to religious figures, many Gothic cathedrals are heavily ornamented with strange, leering creatures.
These gargoyles are not merely decorative.
Originally, the sculptures were waterspout to protect the foundation from rain.
Since most people in Medieval days could not read, the carvings took on the important role of illustrating lessons from the from the scriptures

3) Gothic architecture in France

French Gothic architecture is an architectural style which emerged in France in 1140, and was dominant until the mid-16th century.
The most notable examples are the great Gothic cathedrals of France, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, Reims Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, and Amiens Cathedral.

In French, “L’architecture Ogivale“
Primaire (12th Century AD). Also called “a lancettes”

Distinguished by pointed arches and geometric traceried windows

Secondaire (13th Century AD). Also called “Rayonnant”

Characterized by circular windows with wheel tracery

Tertiare (14th to 16th Century AD). Also called “Flamboyant”

Flame-like window tracery or free-flowing tracery

i) Features

Use of pointed arch to cover rectangular bays
Use of flying buttresses weighted by pinnacles
Tall, thin columns – “stretching up as if to heaven”
Walls released from load-bearing function
Invention of colored, stained glass windows to adorn window-walls
Tracery windows provided a framework for Bible stories to be told in pictures
Cathedrals as a library for illiterate townspeople – Biblical stories were told with stained-glass and statuary

a) Amiens Cathedral

The tallest completed french gothic church
Begun in 1220 and finished by 1269
Scale is truly gigantic
Portals dwarf the worshiper
Rose window is dwarfed by the immense façade
The aisle vaults rise come 60 ft. from the inside
The glass creates the sensation of being within a huge fragile cage.
Architect – Robert de Luzarches

b) Reims Cathedral

Begun in 1211 after fire has destroyed the previous structure
Based on chartres
Features a greater sensation of height by adjusting the proportions of the nave
Most glorious view is from it west front

c) Chartres Cathedral

d) Notre Dame, Paris

One of the oldest French cathedrals
Begun by Bishop Maurice de Sully
Façade features successive tiers of niches with statues: Christ and French kings
Central wheel window
Two western towers with high pointed louvred openings

Other cathedrals: Beauvais Cathedral, Laon Cathedral, Soissons Cathedral

4) Gothic architecture in Britain (England)

Gothic architecture in Britain has been neatly divided into periods, or styles.

Norman (1066 to 1154 AD)

Includes the raising of most of major Romanesque churches and castles

Transitional (1154 to 1189 AD)

Pointed arches in Romanesque structures

Early English (1189 to 1307 AD)

Equivalent to High Gothic in France
Also called “Lancet” or “First Pointed” style, from long narrow pointed windows

Decorated (1307 to 1377 AD)

Window tracery is “Geometrical” in form, and later, flowing tracery patterns and curvilinear surface pattern
Also called “Second Pointed”, equivalent to French “Flamboyant” style PERPENDICULAR (1377 to 1485 AD)
Also called “Rectilinear“ or “Third Pointed”

Tudor (1495 to 1558 AD)

Increasing application of Renaissance detail

Elizabethan (1558 to 1603 AD)

Renaissance ideas take strong hold

a) Cathedrals

May have been attached to monasteries or to collegiate institutions
Found in precincts with dormitories, infirmary, guest houses, cloisters, refrectory, other buildings

Complex of church, royal palace and burial grounds
Most important medieval building in Britain
widest (32 m) and highest vault in England (102 ft)

b) Other examples

Wells Cathedral
York Cathedral – largest medieval cathedral in England and in Northern Europe
Winchester Cathedral – longest medieval cathedral in England

5) Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands (Gothic Architecture)

In Germany, the chief influence came from France, not from German Romanesque
In Belgium and The Netherlands, it was based on French Gothic, developing the Brabantine style

a) Hall churches

Had a different look:
Nave and aisle of same height
One or two immense and ornate western towers or apse, in place of sculptured doorway
Brick-work and simplified ornamentation

Typical hall church

6) Spain (Gothic Architecture)

Strong Moorish influences: the use of horseshoe arches and rich surface decoration of intricate geometrical and flowing patterns
Churches had flat exterior appearance, due to chapels inserted between buttresses
Excessive ornament, without regard to constructive character

a) Burgos Cathedral (1221 – 1457 AD)

Irregular in plan
Most beautiful and poetic of all Spanish cathedrals Seville

b) Cathedral (1402 to 1520 AD)

Largest Medieval church in Europe
Second largest church in the world, next to St. Peter’s, Rome

c) Other cathedrals

Avila Cathedral, Segovia Cathedral, Barcelona Cathedral

7) Gothic in Italy

In 1300s Italy was loose collection of republic city states with political differences
Rise of merchant class to Nobility
Guelph (pro Pope city states eg . Florence)
Gibelline (pro Holy Roman Emperor city states eg. Sienna)

Led the way in Europe, in terms of art, learning and commerce
Cultural revival was taking place in Italy in advance of northern Europe
Roman tradition remained strong
This arrested the development of Gothic architecture in Italy
Verticality of Gothic is generally neutralized by horizontal cornices and string courses
Absence of pinnacles and flying buttresses
Small windows without tracery
Projecting entrance porches with columns on lion-like beasts

a) Florence Cathedral or S. Maria del Fiore

Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio
Essentially Italian in character, without the vertical features of Gothic
Peculiar latin cross plan with campanile and baptistery

b) Siena Cathedral

One of most stupendous undertakings since the building of the Pisa cathedral
Outcome of civic pride – all artists in Siena contributed their works to its building and adornment
Cruciform plan
Zebra marble striping on wall and pier

c) Other cathedrals

Milan Cathedral
Largest Medieval cathedral in Italy
3rd largest cathedral in Europe

Overall, Gothic architecture was a major development in the history of architecture and had a lasting impact on the design and construction of buildings throughout Europe. Its ornate style, rich decoration, and emphasis on height and light remain defining characteristics of the Gothic style and continue to inspire architects and designers today.