The document discusses the rise and spread of Gothic architecture between the 12th and 15th centuries. It began in France at St. Denis and was characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and larger windows to admit more light. Gothic cathedrals grew dramatically in scale and were a symbol of civic pride and rivalry between towns. Styles evolved from early Gothic to Rayonnant/High Gothic and Flamboyant Gothic. Gothic sculpture and painting also became more realistic and expressive during this period.

1. Gothic Art
“Let there be
light!”

2. Spread of Gothic:
black 12th Century, red 13th-14th centuries

3. The Reach of Gothic

4. Gothic Architecture
• St. Denis in France 1st
example of Early
Gothic
• Religious art, like
Romanesque, but also
a symbol of power and
wealth for the town
• Not only cathedrals,
but also castles,
palaces, town halls,
and universities
• Cathedral became
center of the city
• Not only for religious
rites, but also for guild
meetings and
municipal government
(before construction of
town hall)
• Rivalries between
cities to see who could
build the biggest and
highest cathedral

5. The Abbey of St. Denis
• St. Denis patron saint
of France
• First major stucture
built (partially) in
Gothic style
• Construction began in
1136
• Burial site for many
French Monarchs
• Located just north of
Paris

6. St. Denis Ambulatory

7. Transition at Vezelay: Early Gothic choir showers
light on Romanesque Nave

8. Characteristics of
Gothic Architecture
• Pointed arch
• Ribbed vault
• Flying buttresses
• Bigger windows
• Taller buildings
(stretched,
verticality)
• Rose window
• Appeal to emotions,
dramatic

9. Amiens (476 feet long, 139 feet high)

10. Amiens closer views

11. Left: Saint-Sernin, Toulouse, Romanesque Pilgrimage
Church, c. 1080-1120
Right: Notre-Dame, Amiens, French Gothic Cathedral,
begun 1220
Nave
Transept
Choir
Ambulatory

12. Romanesque vs. Gothic
(Abbey of St. Etienne, Caen)
Nave (1064-1120) Choir (c. 1200)
Main
arcade
Triforium
Clerestory
Vaulting

13. Some Gothic Styles
• Early Gothic beginning around 1140 (St.
Denis).
• High Gothic/Rayonnant (St. Chapelle,
Paris, 1248)
• Perpendicular (choir of Gloucester
cathedral, begun 1330), unique to England
• Flamboyant (St. Maclou, Rouen,1500-14)

14. Rayonnant: St. Chapelle
Rayonnant (called Decorated Gothic in England)
was characterized by the application of
increasingly elaborate geometrical decoration

15. More St. ChapelleRayonnant style
• After 1250, Gothic architects were more concerned with the
creation of visual effects through decoration.
• Pinnacles (upright members, often spired, that capped piers,
buttresses, or other exterior elements),
• Moldings
• Window tracery
(Some classify this as Flamboyant)• Rose Window

16. Flamboyant
In France the Rayonnant style
evolved about 1280 into a
more decorative phase called
the Flamboyant style.
Dominant feature in stone window
tracery of a flame-like S-
shaped curve.
Wall space was reduced to
minimum
Almost continuous expanse of
glass and tracery.
St. Maclou (Rouen) 15-16th Centuries

17. St. Severin-St. Nicholas (Paris)
15th Century

18. Leuven, Belgium Town Hall
15th Century

19. Milan Cathedral (Duomo)
The biggest and greatest late gothic architecture in Italy.
1386-1577, west front 1616-1813

20. Milan
Cathedral
Flying
Buttress
• Give horizontal
strength to the
wall
• Means walls
can have
bigger
windows, more
detail

21. Gothic Sculpture
• Mostly religious:
• Crucifixion of Christ
• and Virgin with Child
• To educate citizens
• Figures more realistic and natural
than in Romanesque
• Curved and lines, movement
• Expression of emotion
• Mostly rock, some wood
• Choir seating, tombs, gargoyles

22. Gothic Painting
• Murals loose importance
(except in Italy)
• Painting over wood →
Painted altarpieces
• Religious subjects, also
potraits
• Movement of figures
• Richness of colors
• Use of gold
• Introduction of background
• Realism