2. Background & Origins
Île-de-France in 1137-1144
Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis
Proposed reconstruction, planned on making it the
religious center of France
Interested in the mythical and symbolic nature of light
4. Political
Richard the Lionheart
controlled much of
western France
Rouen to Paris along
the Seine
French rulers had to
defend territory:
Saint-Denis
5. Intellectual
Crusades increased
Building churches was part of the Crusades
Epidemics, catastrophes, and wars occurred
Churches were a sign of safety, protection, and security
Period of great intellectual activity
Transubstantiation
Creation
Natural science
Imagery formed part of liturgy
6. Difference between Gothic and
Romanesque
Pointed vs. round arch
Narrower, taller nave
Linked transept & choir
Buttressing broke up
massive walls
Windows & tracery
More exterior detail &
ornamentation
7. Symbolism in Cathedrals
Divine & beautiful = good
Beauty is manifestation of harmony & perfection of
God
Completeness / perfection
Proportion / harmony
Clarity & color
Perfection & order bring you closer to
understanding God and His idea of creation
Cathedral is part of liturgy
8. Construction
Client: commissioned work, determined pupose
Functionary: administration of building
works, budget
Master Builder: craftsman who determined technical
issues, supervisor of everyone
10. Characteristics
Compound piers, pillars,
columns
Pillar: shaft of blocks,
does not taper, not
always cylindrical
Column: supporting
member with a circular
plan
Compound pier: round
pier or pillar with ¾
column projections,
resting on a joint base
with foliated capitals
11. Characteristics
Tracery: geometrically
constructed building
ornament to divide
arch bay above
impost line from
windows
Foil&triskele form
trefoil, quatrefoil
Rose window
12. Characteristics
Flying Buttresses: arch
rising at an angle to
take the vault thrust
from the clerestory
wall of the nave
directly above the
aisles into the
buttresses
