Gothic art developed in the 13th-14th centuries in France and spread across Europe. Key features included pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and rose windows, which allowed Gothic cathedrals to become much taller and fill their interiors with light. Gothic sculpture became more naturalistic and expressive compared to earlier Romanesque styles. Painting also advanced techniques like linear perspective. Major Gothic artistic developments occurred in France, Italy, and the Low Countries.

1. Gothic Art

2. In the 13th
and 14th
centuries, the Gothic style
replaced Romanesque. It
began in France and then
spread through Europe.
Urban architecture was more elaborate
than before. Market halls, squares and
city councils were built in the Gothic style,
like Sienna City Hall (13th
c)

3. Features of Gothic architecture
The pointed
arch created
impression of
height.
The ribbed
vault was
formed by
two pointed
arches
crossing each
other and
was
supported by
four pillars
that took its
weight .

4. Features of Gothic architecture
Flying buttresses were
raised arches that
connected the roof to the
external buttresses.
The use of pinnacles made
the building look more
vertical.

5. The improvement in vaulting reduced the pressure on the walls so glass windows
could be added higher up. Here, the Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, 13th
c.
The improvement in vaulting reduced the pressure on the walls so glass windows
could be added higher up. Here, the Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, 13th
c.
Features of Gothic architecture

6. Features of Gothic architecture
The great circular openings on the façades of cathedrals were called rose windows.
Here, the rose window of Reims Cathedral (13th
c.) from the interior
The great circular openings on the façades of cathedrals were called rose windows.
Here, the rose window of Reims Cathedral (13th
c.) from the interior

7. Gothic cathedrals were much higher and
more luminous than earlier ones. Here,
interior of Cologne Cathedral in
Germany, 13th
c.
Gothic cathedrals were much higher and
more luminous than earlier ones. Here,
interior of Cologne Cathedral in
Germany, 13th
c.
Gothic cathedrals gave people the
impression that the building was rising
into the sky. Here, façade of Burgos
Cathedral in Spain, 13th
c.
Gothic cathedrals gave people the
impression that the building was rising
into the sky. Here, façade of Burgos
Cathedral in Spain, 13th
c.

8. Gothic sculpture
It was more naturalistic than
Romanesque sculpture. Figures
were more realistic and
expressive. They were also better
proportioned and curved lines were
gradually introduced to suggest
movement.
Virgin and child, French Gothic,
13th
c., ivory.

9. Gothic sculpture
Reliefs were still used
to decorate the façades
of cathedrals and
churches. Gothic
sculpture maintained the
Medieval tradition of
representing religious
subjects. Like
Romanesque art, Gothic
sculpture was mainly
anonymous.
Reims Cathedral, 13th
c. Decoration of
the façade. Visitation of Mary and
Annunciation of Gabriel

10. Gothic painting
Gothic painting was more
naturalistic and expressive
than earlier art. Artists
achieved an impression of
depth and distance.
In Florence, in the 13th
and
14th
centuries, great artists
like Giotto were considered to
be the precursors of the
Italian Renaissance.
Here, “The expulsion of the
devils from Arezzo” fresco
by Giotto in Saint Francis of
Assisi (1297-1299)

11. In 15th
century
Flanders, artists
like Rogier van
der Weyden
mastered the
technique of
perspective.
Here, “Triptych of
the Seven
Sacraments”, by
Rogier van der
Weyden, oil on
panel / altarpiece
(1445-1450).