Depicts an episode from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi where he created a live nativity scene in 1223 at Greccio, Italy to bring the Christmas story to life for the townspeople in a more experiential way. The fresco shows Saint Francis in the center preaching to the gathered crowd as a manger containing hay and oxen and an ass recreate the scene from Christ's birth, making the religious story more tangible and meaningful. This work and the Church of Saint Francis where it is housed aimed to visually represent the life and teachings of Saint Francis through art in order to inspire devotion among pilgrims to Assisi

1. GOTHIC ART:
APAH Student Slides
Gothic art as described by Amity’s
finest young art historians

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page 521 (Elements of Architecture: Rib Vaulting- summary and visual) Eeman
16-9 (Masons at Work) Catie C.
page 525 (Art and its Context: Master Builders – summary and visual) Ben
page 528 (Technique: Stained-Glass Windows – summary and visual) Mollie
16-14 (Chartres Cathedral, North Transept, Rose Window…)Priya
16-21 (Quatrefoils, West Façade, Amiens Cathedral) Phil
16-22 (Christ: Beau Dieu) Grace
16-26 (Abraham, Sarah, and the Three Strangers…) Tori
16-27 (Psalm 1) Guillermo
16-31 (Stokesay Castle) Aliyah
16-32 (Church of St. Elizabeth) Shoba
16-34 (Interior, Antneuschul) Jason
16-35 (Shrine of the Three Kings) Kavita
16-37 (Saint Maurice) Mary
page 546 (Church of St. Francis at Assisi) George
16. 16-43 (Crucifix) Katie Z.
16-44 (Life of Saint Francis, Miracle of the Crib at Greccio) Mike

3. Architecture: Ribbed Vaulting
• Innovation of Romanesque and
Gothic builders
• Groin vault: ridges (groins) formed
by intersecting vaults which rest
on and are covered by curved ribs
• Used timber scaffolding to support
masonry ribs
• Web of vault laid on forms (built
on ribs)
• Ribs provide strength at
intersections of webbing to
channel vaults’ thrust out and
down to base
• Ribs form skeleton of vault, while
webbing makes skin
• Late Gothic buildings have extra,
decorative ribs, providing a lacelike
appearance

4. Masons at Work
Painting, 12th-13th century, France
• Exhibits masons (stone workers)
rebuilding the Chartres
Cathedral after it burnt down in
1194
• Shows scaffolding, platforms at
different heights, and lifting
pulleys
• Masons carefully measured and
cut the stone
• Often signed their work with
“mason marks” or personalized
symbol, carved into the stone :
• Most masons part of the
Mason’s Guild (much like a labor
union), and a Master Builder
would have several simple
workmen working beneath him

5. Master Builders
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Master Builders took charge of all parts of church
construction
(Design, Structural Engineering, Decoration)
In charge of coordinating people and work effort
Funding shortages and technical delays needed to be
accounted for
Less than 100 master builders were responsible for all the
major projects
around Paris
More than 3000 names of master builders are known
today
Master Builders trained rigorously, were relatively well
educated,
and were acquainted with high Church officials and
aristocrats.
Some Master Builders were knighted
Often inscribed their names on buildings they built
Geometric figures for the
construction of buildings by
Villard de Honnecourt, a master
builder

6. Stained Glass Windows
Charters Cathedral, “Rose of France”
-Basic technique to making stained glass has been
known since Ancient Egypt
-Stained Glass windows were extremely expensive to
make and took a lot of time
-A designer first drew a composition on a wood panel
that was the same size as the window
-Glassblowers produced sheets of colored glass &
artisans cut pieces from these large sheets and laid
them out on the wooden template
-Painters added details w/ enamel emulsion & the
glass was reheated to fuse the enamel to it
-The pieces were finally joined together with narrow
lead strips called cames
-Early colored glass was so dark it was nearly opaque &
uncolored glass was full of impurities
-By the 13th century, many newer and brighter colors
were found
-Flashing- one layer of color was fused to another layer
of color and produced an almost infinite range of hues
-12th century windows known for their remarkable
simple geometric designs
-Blue signified heaven / fidelity, red- the passion,
white- purity, green-fertility / springtime, yellowsubstitute for gold & represents the presence of god /
sun / truth, plain yellow- deceit / cowardice

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Stained Glass in Chartres Cathedral
Tracery, and many geometric patterns
Over 42 feet diameter
Glass changes color depending on quality of light
5 lancets and a rose window
May have been a royal gift from the Queen
Blanche of Castile, whose heraldic castles
symbolizing the country of Castile (Spain) join the
golden lilies of France in spandrels
In the lancets, Saint and the infant Mary have the
place of honor
In the center of the rose window, Mary is
enthroned with the Christ Child
Radiating from the holy air are lattice-filled panels
displaying 4 doves (Gospels) and 8 angels, the
prophets, and the Old Testament ancestors of
Christ
Very Colorful- similar to other gothic stained glass
Rose Window- a circular window, filled with stained
glass, placed at the end of a transept or façade if a
church
Lancet- a slender, pointed window. They are often
separated by mullions. Lancets are especially
characteristic of Gothic architecture.
16-4 Chartres Cathedral, North
Transept, Rose Window and Lancets,
known as the The “Rose of France”,
c.1220

8. Rose Window
Lancet

9. Quatrefoils, West Façade,
Amiens Cathedral
•Amiens, France
•Purpose is to honor 1.
Christ and the apostles,
2. Mary as the Queen
of Heaven, 3. and the
local saints with Saint
Firmin, first bishop of
the church
•Artist does this
with the three
main portals; each
represents one of
the three glorified
groups
•Use of sculpture, good
contrast between light and
dark features, sculpture
beautifully hangs above
the doors of the arches,
many long windows from
the exterior visible
•1120, 13th
century
construction
•Medium is stone
•Like other works of Gothic
architecture, has pointed
arch, ribbed vault, and the
flying buttress
•Also, it is a cathedral that
evokes a very emotional
response, like many other
gothic works
•The quatrefoils, or
medallions shows virtues
vs. evil influences in daily
life, the periods and
labors of the moths, the
existences of the saints,
and the biblical tales-all
extremely important to
the Gothic culture

10. Close up!
•Closer view of the quatrefoils

11. The Beau Dieu(Handsome God) By: HuguesLibergier
Location: Notre-Dame, Paris
Slide by: Grace Leyden
• Medium: mixed stones, mostly limestone
• Sculpted during time when artists were
recognized
• On the top half pillar, dividing the central
portal
• Standing above Solomon, surrounded by
apostles
• Crowned by the scenes from the Last
Judgment
• Purpose is to be noticed, focal point
when one walks into Cathedral
• Framed by the pointed arches and gables,
which all point up the heavens
• Holding the bible, with two fingers raised,
shows that he is a teacher
• Like most Gothic sculptors, designed to
be approachable and attractive to the
viewer

12. Abraham, Sarah, and the Three Strangers from the Psalter of Saint Louis
(1253-70 CE)Paris. Ink, tempera, and gold leaf on vellum.
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Apart of a book of Psalms
– Style of book defines Court style in manuscript illumination
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Depicts Old Testament story of Abraham and Sarah’s
hospitality to three strangers (angels representing
Gods)
– Sarah watches from entryway of their tent, while strangers
tell elderly couple that Sarah will bear a child, Isaac
– 3 strangers were symbols of the Trinity
– God’s promise to Sarah foreshadowed angel’s annunciation
of the Christ Child’s birth to Mary
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The radiance of stained glass probably inspired the
glowing color of the Psalter of Saint Louis
The painted architectural setting reflects the design of
royal buildings such as Sainte-Chapelle
The elegant proportions, facial expressions, theatrical
gestures, and swaying poses of the painted figures are
characteristic of the mannered Parisian court style
New awareness of time and place, along with natural
elements in the frame, reflect movement to natural
world
– New spatial sense
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Rendered in a style that reflects the sculpture of the
Master of the Smiling Angel of Reims; also similar to
Queen Blanche of Castile and Louis IX in style

13. PSALM 1 OF THE WINDMILL PSALTER
Artist:
???
Location:
London,
England
Date:
1270-1280 CE
Medium:
Ink, pigments,
and gold on
vellum
Period:
Gothic
Purpose:
Illuminated
manuscript to
portray and
explain the
“Tree of Jesse”
How artist achieves
purpose:
This technique was
learned from the French,
though the inner
ribboning was borrowed
from the Celtics, detailed
illustration of the family
of Mary mother of Jesus
dating back to King David
Unique features:
Four evangelists depicted
in corners, windmill =
religious symbol, animal
motifs, depiction of King
Solomon, threedimensional angel,
intricately detailed “tree”
Similar works:
Abraham, Sarah, and the
Three Strangers from the
Psalter of Saint Louis
Aspects of Gothic
Culture:
French Gothic - elongated
proportions, dainty
heads, English Gothic interlaced tendrils and
stylized drapery

14. Stokesay Castle
Late 13th century
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England, near the Welsh Border
Stone and earthworks
Served as fortress, manor house
Lawrence of Ludlow, a wool
merchant, bought the property
from King Edward I, and got
permission to build the fortified
home
• Featured new privacy rooms
and thick towers near the
water
• Like other Gothic
architecture, the castle is
made of stone and features
stained glass windows and
the pointed arch

15. Church of Saint Elizabeth
• Said to be first true Gothic hall church and one
of the earliest Gothic buildings in
Germany(Marburg, Germany 1235-1283).
• The Church serves as the mausoleum and
center for pilgrimage for The Hungarian
Princess Elizabeth, who devoted her life to
caring for people with incurable diseases.
• Features: It is built from sandstone in a
cruciform layout. The nave has vaulted ceiling
more than 20 m high. The triple quire consists
of the Elisabeth quire, the High quire and the
Landgrave quire. Buttresses run the full height
of the building. The two rows of windows
suggest a two story building, but this is not the
case. Light from the large windows fill the
interior of the church.
• The interior vaults, buttresses and two story
windows all make the gothic origin evident.
• This Church is similar to other Gothic forms,
especially those of Germanic and Jewish
architecture.

16. Location- Prague,Bohemia
Date- built in the late 13th century
Artists- no real artist, mainly constructed by the jews
Medium- the interior has a very complex design, mainly
made from various materials. Would was greatly
used along with stone pillars
Purpose-The main purpose of this design was to provide a
place for the rabbi to be worshipped.
This interior also shows the great adaptability of the
Gothic Hall Church. A key component of this place is
the
Bema, where the Rabbi can be centered in the building.
How does author acheive this- They achieve this by placing
a bimah in the center of the interior in order
for the rabbi to be worshipped. Also include numerous
pillars to show adversability of gothic style
Unique features- a variety of unique features. Six bays of
seating are included in the interior, along with a
centered bimah. The bays have four-part bayed vaulting
Similar works-The Shrine of the three kings is a similar
peice. Both works are similar in a way where
they both have a place to honor the main man
Aspects of Gothic cultural-rib vaults are a large aspect
which are included in the bays
Interior, Altneuschull

17. Shrine of the Three Kings
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Cologne, Germany
Placed above and behind the high altar
of Cologne Cathedral
Reliquary said to contain the bones of
the Biblical Magi (Three Kings or Three
Wise Men)
Large gilded and decorated triple
sarcophagus
Considered the high point of Mosan art
(regional style of art from valley of
Meuse)
Parts of shrine designed by famous
medieval goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun
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Began work on it in 1180 or 1181
Has elaborate gold sculptures of the
prophets and apostles, and scenes from
the life of Christ
Completed around 1225
Appx. 43 inches wide, 60 inches high,
and 87 inches long)
Shaped like a basilica: two sarcophagi
stand next to each other, with the third
resting on their roof ridges
Basic structure is made of wood, with
gold and silver overlay decorated with
filigree, enamel, and over 1000 jewels
and beads

18. Close-up Images
of the Shrine of
the Three Kings

19. Saint Maurice
Magdeburg Cathedral, Magdeburg, Germany. Dark sandstone; traces of polychromy. c. 1240-1250.
• Purpose of artwork was to represent Saint
Maurice (patron saint of Magdeburg) in the
Magdeburg Cathedral
• Saint Maurice was a martyred Egyptian
Christian troop leader in Rome’s Army. Dressed
in military gear. Portrayal of dark skin comes
from his Egyptian background
• Saint Maurice favored by Ottonian emperors
and military officials of the time. Represents the
ideal of these people
• Not very emotionally expressive like other
works, but was definitely part of the realistic
theme that was also present in German Gothic
sculpture. Could have been sculpted with a live
model as a reference

20. Church of St. Francis at Assisi(Italy)
•Finished in 1239, dedicated 1253
•After St. Francis’s death, in his birthplace
•Unusually elaborate in design for a Gothic church
•Spacious to provide for people and rituals
•Large unbroken walls support paintings for
teaching and inspiration
•Decorated much more richly than other
Franciscan churches
•Surprising decoration-dedicated to
poverty and service
•Earthquake Sept. 27, 1997 caused great
damage to the church
•Groups began to raise funds to restore
it immediately, shows importance of
religion and art

21. SMO CAM (sorry George, I couldn’t resist putting one of my own photos in)

22. Crucifix
Coppo Di Marcovaldo. Tuscany, Italy. 1250-1270. Tempure on gold on wood panel.
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Constantinople conquered, brought
relics to France, resulted in an influx of
Byzantine art to Italy. ManieraGreca(“in
the Greek manner”) influenced Italian
painting in style and technique,
introduced new emphasis on pathos and
emotion.
Represents the Christuspatiens, or
suffering of Christ: Byzantine type
(closed eyes and bleeding, slumped body
that resembles emotional realism
“Historiated crucifix”- scenes at each
side the tell Passion story
Mounted on the choir screen that
separated the clergy in the sanctuary
from the lay people in the nave
Portraying the body unrealistically was a
hallmark of Italo-Bryzantineart
Some lines that were added to possibly
create a 3-D effect, but the image as a
whole is not realistic as an accurate
portrayal of the human form

23. Life of Francis, Miracle of the Crib at Greccio (late 13th century)
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Part of a series of fresco murals at church of Saint
Francis in Assissi, Italy
Date debatable, as early as 1290
Artist uncertain, “Saint Francis Masster”
Shows Francis making first Christmas manger scene in
church at Greccio—this is, like, not even biblical; it's
metabiblical
Shows the establishment (well, sort of—the canonical
first example, more or less) of a religious tradition
Shows appearance of an Italism Gothic church: wood
crucifix with stand, reinforced, tilted forward;
baldacchino (canopy) over altar
Francis in foreground holding the Jesus
Animals nearby represent those which could have
been present at Nativity
Miracle: the Christ Child appears in the manger
I'm not quite sure what that means, but it sounds like
Francis' model of the baby Jesus magically turned into
a real baby Jesus, kind of like either Pinocchio or the
transubstantiation of the Eucharist
Basis of a religious tradition; the tableau is commonly
recreated by Christians at Christmastime today
Like a lot of the period art, it's religious in nature, but
it's starting to depart from always Bible, all the time,
and more into the practices of worship
Its very bright and colorful!
The setting reflects Italian Gothic architecture and
church design