This document summarizes Gothic art in Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries. It describes how Gothic sculpture became more realistic and independent from architecture. Gothic painting shared similar characteristics, depicting religious and some secular scenes in a realistic style. Gothic architecture developed new techniques like pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses to support taller cathedral structures with large stained glass windows, serving both religious and civic functions.

1. GOTHIC ART
This style started by the end of the 12th century in France. Then it
spread throughout Europe

2. GOTHIC SCULPTURE
Gothic sculpture was also mainly religious and educational. The
main purpose was teaching about the Bible, but there were new
elements in this style since it was an urban style
Figure became independent and they were not adapted to fit
architecture

3. They were more realistic and natural:
• Clothes were more realistic
• Curved lines
• Movements
• Feelings (Jesus suffers on the Cross and the Virgin plays happily
with the Child)

5. OTHER EXAMPLES OF SCULPTURES
ALTARPIECES
They were above of behind of the altar

6. CHOIR STALLS
FUNERAL SCULPTURE

7. DECORATING ELEMENTS IN THE FACADES

8. GOTHIC PAINTING
• The Gothic painting had the same characteristics of
the Gothic sculpture:
– It was religious and educational, but there were also
profane art
– Realistic and natural
– Figures show their feelings
• Mural paintings decreased (except in Italy) and they
were replaced by stained glasses windows
• The miniatures were still very popular in bibles
• Panel paintings and altarpieces on wood were also
very popular in the Churches.
• However, the Gothic painting introduced the
portraits for the rich people (merchants and nobles).
Even though, Roman people also had portraits

9. STAINED GLASS

10. PORTRAIT OF A MERCHANT
GOTHIC MINIATURE
GOTHIC PANEL PAINTING

11. To sum up, the main features of Gothic
painting are:
BRIGHT COLOURS:
THE USE OF GOLD:
BACKGROUND
LANDSCAPES:
REALISM AND
MOVEMENT:
RELIGIOUS AND
PROFANE SUBJECTS:

12. GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE
• It had a religious and educational
purpose
• But it also wanted to show the
power of the cities. Why?
• Because the Gothic architecture
was mainly urban and cathedrals
were the centre of the city
• They were even a political
centre, because municipal
councils and guilds used to meet
in the cathedrals
• As a result, cities wanted to have
the best cathedral

13. NEW TECHNIQUES AND
ELEMENTS
• Gothic architects wanted to make taller, brighter and lighter the cathedrals.
They wanted to show the cathedrals as if they were the heaven
• Thus, they introduced:
• Pointed arches
• Rib vaults
• Thin and taller walls
• Large windows of stained glass

14. However, they needed a system to support the weight of the roof, the rib
vaults and the whole structure of the building.
How did they do it?
They divided the weight into many pilars –inside of the building- and many
flying buttresses outside. Buttresses were like stone scaffolds

15. CHANGES IN THE GROUND
PLAN
It still had the latin cross shape. However:
• The east ends were polygonal
• Central nave was higher than the side aisles or naves