THE AGE OF THE GREAT CATHEDRALS: 
GOTHIC ART!!

THE FINAL CHAPTER OF ART HISTORY I
Stretched out image of the Milan Cathedral.
 Click on the image above to see what the Gothic cathedral in Milan, Italy really looks like!

The word "Gothic" was first used by Giorgio Vasari, the art chronicler of the Renaissance, to describe architecture that did not conform to 16th Century ideas of classical Roman structures.  Vasari intended the word Gothic as a critical term, stating that these structures originated in the pagan kingdoms of the Goths and Franks.  Vasari was correct in describing these buildings as unclassical, but he failed to appreciate the expressive differences.  Gothic architecture is characterized by the flying buttress, an external support that allowed for open interior space;  the pointed arch whose height could be varied according to design; cross-wise ribbing which created a stronger roofing structure; and stained glass windows, made possible by the open spaces.  Through the stained glass windows the "heavenly light of God" could shine  brilliant colors, edifying the believer.
                           Abbey Church of St. Denis
Ambulatory and radiating chapels, abbey church, St. Denis, France.
1140-1144.

See page 463*  in the Gardner text.
Aerial view of the Chartres Cathedral
Royal portal, west facade, Chartres Cathedral
Aerial view, Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France.  See a view of the west facade on page 465 in the Gardner text.
Royal portal, west facade, Chartres Cathedral.

Side view of the Notre Dame at Bourges.
Image from Bourges showing an example of flying buttresses.
The Notre Dame Cathedral at Bourges, France.
 Exterior view.
Bourges Cathedral detail showing the flying buttresses.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, begun 1163.  See page 468 in the Gardner text.
Chartres Cathedral nave, facing east
Left, Nave of Chartres Cathedral, facing east, Chartres, France.  See page 470 in the Gardner text.

Right, alternate view of the nave.
Alternate view of the nave
Bourges interior showing cross-wise ribbing.
Front facade of the Bourges Cathedral.
Image of stained glass and pointed arches from the Bourges Cathedral.
Bourges Cathedral, interior cross-wise ribbing.
Bourges Cathedral, front facade and portal. 
Bourges Cathedral, pointed arches and stained glass windows. 

The stained glass windows of the Gothic cathedrals may be their crowning glory, for it is the windows that let in the light and bathe the worshippers in glorious, jewel-toned lights.  No longer dark and brooding like Romanesque structures, Gothic cathedrals reflected the enlightened spirit of the time.
Rose window and lancets from the Chartres Cathedral
The flying buttresses and pointed arches made possible open expanses of walls in Gothic cathedrals.  Artists moved quickly to fill the empty wall spaces with brightly colored glass, fitted together with channels of lead.

Left, Rose window and lancets, Chartres Cathedral, c. 1220.  Right, detail.

See page 472  in the Gardner text.
Detail, Rose window
Image of stained glass window.
Left and right:  two of the beautiful stained glass windows from the Cathedral at Bourges in France.

Although glass-making had been known since ancient times, it had not been rolled flat for windows until the Gothic era. The richness of the jewel-like tones perfectly reflected the religious sentiments of the Gothic era.
Image of stained glass window.
Cathedral of Notre Dame at Reims, France
Jamb statues at Reims
West facade, Reims Cathedral, Reims, France, c. 1225-1290.  See page 476 in the Gardner text for a different view.
Visitation, jamb statues of central doorway, west facade, Reims Cathedral.  See page 477 in the Gardner text.
               Interior of St. Chappell
Interior of the upper chapel, Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France, 1243-1248.
Image of the Florence Cathedral.
Image of the Notre Dame Cathedral at Lyon.
Image of the Milan Cathedral.
Image of the Cathedral in Burgos, Spain.
The Florence Cathedral
The Notre Dame Cathedral
at Lyon
The Cathedral in Milan, Italy
The Cathedral in Burgos, Spain

In Italy, Spain and Germany the Gothic style varied according to local aesthetic interests, but never strayed far enough to be considered a different style.  In Italy, as in the Florence Cathedral, the Gothic style shows less height but more interest in the forms of classical Rome.  The cathedral at Milan is the most fanciful of the Gothic structures.

Continue to explore Gothic art...tapestries, gold, sculpture and paintings...

Explore the following URL:
Examine St. Denis, the original cathedral at:    http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/orion/eng/hst/gothic/sandeni.html

*Page numbers refer to Gardner 13th edition.
Page Updated 8/03/09
Go to Art History Survey I Home
Copyright M. Hoover and Visual Arts and Technology Department, San Antonio College, April, 2001