GOTHIC SCULPTURE Revision

Introduction There is a change in the sculptural conception in the evolution from the Romanesque Images are naturalistic and related to the time they represent in opposition to the lack of temporality and geometric shapes of the former period.

There is a change in the sculptural conception in the evolution from the Romanesque

Images are naturalistic and related to the time they represent in opposition to the lack of temporality and geometric shapes of the former period.

General Characteristics It is inspired in the nature with sensitive forms that can be easily understood Approximation to physical beauty from the spiritual dimension of their iconography New problems: Depiction of the space Volume of the images (anatomy) Relation of light and colour

It is inspired in the nature with sensitive forms that can be easily understood

Approximation to physical beauty from the spiritual dimension of their iconography

New problems:

Depiction of the space

Volume of the images (anatomy)

Relation of light and colour

General Characteristics It is an attempt to present the world as it is. Nature loses idealization. Characters’ gestures and attitudes are human. The character represents emotions and natural features.

It is an attempt to present the world as it is. Nature loses idealization.

Characters’ gestures and attitudes are human. The character represents emotions and natural features.

General Characteristics Naturalism affected the two main images depicted: The Virgin is not any longer a throne for her son but a mother who plays with him Christ is a human person who suffers in the cross or who is death.

Naturalism affected the two main images depicted:

The Virgin is not any longer a throne for her son but a mother who plays with him

Christ is a human person who suffers in the cross or who is death.

General Characteristics The characters are full of humanism, they abandon verticality, symmetry and hieratic positions to adopt mannered gestures with realistic movement. They tend to depict emotions such as joy or sadness. A good example are the gestures of the Virgin and Saint John in the Calvarias or Pieties.

The characters are full of humanism, they abandon verticality, symmetry and hieratic positions to adopt mannered gestures with realistic movement.

They tend to depict emotions such as joy or sadness. A good example are the gestures of the Virgin and Saint John in the Calvarias or Pieties.

Evolution 13th century: classicist. They look for an idealised naturalism. 14th century: Mannerism in stylization, longer images and with bends. 15th century: Sculptures of kings, bourgeoises and aristocracy

Façades The most important part is the tympanum where the Pantocrator and the Tetramorph group appear. The Virgin may appear in the centre. Sometimes, in lower positions there is the narration of Christ or the Virgin life. In the archivolts other characters such as saints and kings appear.

The most important part is the tympanum where the Pantocrator and the Tetramorph group appear.

The Virgin may appear in the centre.

Sometimes, in lower positions there is the narration of Christ or the Virgin life.

In the archivolts other characters such as saints and kings appear.

Façades In the trumeau it appears the image of Christ or the Virgin. They are friendly images in a door that is considered the access to paradise. The jambs are reserved for the Apostles Other profane characters can appear in secondary places.

In the trumeau it appears the image of Christ or the Virgin. They are friendly images in a door that is considered the access to paradise.

The jambs are reserved for the Apostles

Other profane characters can appear in secondary places.

Sepulchres It is one of the new locations for sculpture. It can be of two types: Adjacent: below an arch Exempt: a funerary bed The characteristics are: Death person depicted on the bed, laying or praying Symbolic animal images They were commanded by nobility or bourgeoisie They appear in the chapels.

It is one of the new locations for sculpture.

It can be of two types:

Adjacent: below an arch

Exempt: a funerary bed

The characteristics are:

Death person depicted on the bed, laying or praying

Symbolic animal images

They were commanded by nobility or bourgeoisie

They appear in the chapels.

Other locations Other places for sculptures are: Choir chairs Pulpits Altar pieces

Other places for sculptures are:

Choir chairs

Pulpits

Altar pieces

Iconography It is mainly religious: Last Judgement Christ in majesty Virgin Saints lives (hagiography) Fantastic animals (gargoyles) They appear in façades, cloisters or in form of exempt images

It is mainly religious:

Last Judgement

Christ in majesty

Virgin

Saints lives (hagiography)

Fantastic animals (gargoyles)

They appear in façades, cloisters or in form of exempt images

Iconography Christ may appear as judge or in the images about his life. Other common depiction is that of the Crucifixion, with some new characteristics: Four nails Sufferance elements (blood, injury, crown) Death or almost death Wearing a short piece of clothe

Christ may appear as judge or in the images about his life.

Other common depiction is that of the Crucifixion, with some new characteristics:

Four nails

Sufferance elements (blood, injury, crown)

Death or almost death

Wearing a short piece of clothe

Iconography The Virgin acquired an special status The image changes: She is young Very human She plays with her son She smiles The clothes are elegant The image is stylised

The Virgin acquired an special

status

The image changes:

She is young

Very human

She plays with her son

She smiles

The clothes are elegant

The image is stylised

Iconography Hagiographies: there are saints’ lives. Martyrdoms are frequently depicted Fantastic animals are common as gargoyles.

Hagiographies: there are saints’ lives. Martyrdoms are frequently depicted

Fantastic animals are common as gargoyles.

Colour Polychrome effects were used to make the images more realistic Characters communicate to each other.

Polychrome effects were used to make the images more realistic

Characters communicate to each other.

Naturalism It can be seen in characters in daily activities or in animals and plants

It can be seen in characters in daily activities or in animals and plants

Sluter He is the best representative of the sculpture of the late Gothic His images are realistic, with great volume He created the character of the hooded person

He is the best representative of the sculpture of the late Gothic

His images are realistic, with great volume

He created the character of the hooded person

Spain Romanesque style lasted for a long time The images made by Mathew master in Santiago’s Glory portal advanced the naturalism.

Romanesque style lasted for a long time

The images made by Mathew master in Santiago’s Glory portal advanced the naturalism.

Spain The development came with the arrival of French masters to work in the cathedrals of Burgos, Leon and Toledo. The best examples are the façades.

The development came with the arrival of French masters to work in the cathedrals of Burgos, Leon and Toledo.

The best examples are the façades.

Spain Gothic sepulchres are commonly realised The type with an arch appears on the wall The buried person’s portrait lays on the funerary bed Polychrome effects were used.

Gothic sepulchres are commonly realised

The type with an arch appears on the wall

The buried person’s portrait lays on the funerary bed

Polychrome effects were used.

Spain The sepulchre of funerary bed could be: Double Single

The sepulchre of funerary bed could be:

Double

Single

Spain In some cases the person appears in a normal attitude, as is they were alive.

In some cases the person appears in a normal attitude, as is they were alive.