The document summarizes key aspects of Gothic architecture. It describes how Crusaders were influenced by Eastern architecture and brought back new building techniques to Europe. It then discusses how Abbot Suger addressed the problem of overcrowding at his church by reconstructing it in a new style with pointed arches, rib vaults, and larger windows to admit more light, establishing characteristics of Gothic cathedrals. Finally, it provides examples of notable Gothic cathedrals like Notre Dame and Chartres that refined and spread the style across Europe.

1. GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE
 BUILDING LITE

2. Crusaders brought back
more than souvenirs….
 Knights returning from
Crusades awed by the
splendor of Hagia
Sophia & Eastern
Architecture
 Brought back new
technology, winches to
lift heavy stones
 New translation of
geometry in Euclid’s
Elements
 This allowed Gothic
cathedrals to be
designed & built….

3. Abbot Suger had a
problem…
 His church was PACKED!!
 “No one among the countless
thousands of people because of
their very density could move a
foot.”
foot.”
 Vision of flowing interior space with
thin walls
 Literally & figuratively filled with the
Light of God
 Reconstructed the choir portion of
his church in 1135-44; style spread
like wildfire from Scandinavia to
Spain
Engraving, Church of St. Denis

4. Interior, Church of St. Denis
12th century, additions in 13th
century
Located in Paris, France
Built by Abbot Suger
1st Gothic Cathedral, used pointed
arch and rib vault
Removed thick walls, enlarged
windows, and thinner supports
to give height, light, and
grandeur
“Man may rise to the contemplation of the
divine through the senses.”
Gothic Standards set:
1. 3 level elevation inside
2. Clustered colonettes affixed to piers for
continuous uplift
3. Virtual disappearnace of walls, mullions
for stained glass
4. Profuse exterior sculpture

5. How to Read a Gothic
Cathedral
 reading a Gothic cathedral facade

6. Engineering: Triumph of
Light
 Lightness was made feasible by structural &
aesthetic elements…
 Pointed Arch
 Rib Vault
 Flying Buttresses
 Expansive Stained glass windows
 Integrated structure & ornament,
 Got rid of compartmentalized Romanesque
style
 VERTICAL EMPHASIS

8. Flashcard, Cathedral of Notre
Dame, Paris, 1163-1270s

9. Notre Dame of Paris: The Gold
Standard
 1st cathedral of
colossal scale and
became prototype
 Height & length, had
to blend great
expanses of wall
 1st true Flying
buttresses supported
the walls
 Pope Alexander laid
cornerstone
 Gargoyles served a
purpose, not just to
scare off evil demons!

10. CHARTRES CATHEDRAL, 1134
FLASHCARD
•High Gothic styles
•Site of a pre-Christian Roman virgin-
goddess cult
•Later dedicated to Virgin Mary
•Has relic of Mary’s tunic there
•Sculpture & stained glass represent
entire Christian history
•Number symbolism: 3 the trinity, 4 =
material world, 7 = seven gifts of the Holy
Spirit
•West façade has famous Rose Window
• 3 portal doorways with incredibly detailed
sculptural decoration
•Rebuilt after fire, in 1260 by mason’s
guild (GUILDS played major role)

11. Close up of Royal Portal of Chartres.. Christ in judgment in center, Mary’s life on
right, Jesus ascends to heaven on Left. Showed Old Testament Kings & Queens
to link to French royalty & Church

12. Detail of Chartres West
Portal
Note Prophets &
Ancestors of Christ
One of few royal statues
that survived the French
Revolution….
1145-55

14. Chartres
Chartres Cathedral

15. Nave, Chartres Cathedral

17. Tree of Jesse, West Façade, Chartres
Cathedral
Stained glass
1150-70
Chartres was famous for glassmaking
workshops.
Gives effect of “flaming jewellry”
Tells story of Jesus’ genealogy; tree
grows out of Jesse’s body
Blue = heaven & fidelity
Red = the Passion of the Christ
Green = nature & fertility
Yellow = God or truth

18. Rose of France, Rose Window at
Chartres Cathedral, 1220
Gift from Queen Blanche of Castile
Expensive & costly process to
make stained glass
This window is over 42’ in diameter
Lancets show Mary & baby Jesus
in center, flanked by St. Anne,
Kings David & Solomon
Stained Glass at Chartres

19. Nave at Amiens
Cathedral

20. Floor plan of Amiens
Eliminated narthex &
expanded transept
and sanctuary
Exceptionally tall &
narrow nave…48’
wide, 144’ tall

21. Reims Cathedral
Façade begun 1225,
work done through
1400s
How is Gothic style
evolving?

22. West façade, Amiens
cathedral
Elaborate sculptural
decoration

23. Quatrefoils, West façade,
Amiens Cathedral. Above:
Signs of The Zodiac (Leo,
Virgo, and Libra); Below:
Labors of The Months (July,
August, and September)

24. 1st realistic Gothic sculptures.. Note difference in ages
Flashcard - Annunciation &
Between Mary and older woman on Right, Angel.. Visitation, Reims Cathedral
Roman verism?

25. Rayonnant Style
anyone?
High gothic churches
became like jewel boxes
Sainte-Chappelle built in
1243-48 has very little
walls, mostly stained glass
and gilded rib vaults

26. Salisbury Cathedral, England
1220-58 with later additions
English version of Gothic style
Lower, broader proportions than
French gothic
Rich decoration, rambling layout
Tall central tower typical of
British style

27. Nave at Salisbury Cathedral

28. Siena Cathedral, Gothic with an Italian accent…marble façade,
ornamentation horizontal designs

29. Romanesque vs. Gothic
 So lets recap the
differences between
Romanesque &
Gothic style
churches…
 Romanesque vs.
Gothic

30. Death of the Virgin, Strasbourg Cathedral, c. 1240, high relief sculpture on Tympamum
on South portal. Flashcard… note Hellenistic influences!!

31. Saint Maurice
Lifesize statue of dark
sandstone, originally
painted
1240-50
Depicted Moorish (African)
saint who served in the
Crusades

32. Ekkehard & Uta, from
Naumberg Cathedral
Gothic period sculpture,
lifesized
Showed patrons of church
Realistic portrait sculpture
recalling Roman veristic
traditions
Flashcard
Vanessa

33. Pulpit, Baptistry, Pisa
Marble sculpture about 15”
high-flashcard
Gothic period
Pisa Cathedral
Master family of sculptors
Artist: Nicola Pisano
Detail below

34. Detai of Nativity from
puplit by Pisano