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GOTHIC ART!! THE FINAL CHAPTER OF ART HISTORY I |
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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. |
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Ambulatory
and radiating chapels, abbey church, St. Denis, France.
1140-1144. See page 481 in the Gardner text. |
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Exterior view. |
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Left,
Nave of Chartres Cathedral, facing east, Chartres, France. See page
489 in the Gardner text.
Right, alternate view of the nave. |
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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. |
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Left, Rose window and lancets, Chartres Cathedral, c. 1220. Right, detail. See page 491 in the Gardner text. |
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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. |
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Interior of the upper chapel, Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France, 1243-1248. |
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at Lyon |
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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 URLs:
Canterbury Cathedral,"World Heritage Site:" http://www.digiserve.com/peter/cc.htm
Examine St. Denis, the original cathedral at:
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/orion/eng/hst/gothic/sandeni.html
| Page Updated 8/29/06 |
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Copyright M. Hoover and Visual Arts and Technology Department,
San Antonio College, April, 2001
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