apah sernin, notre dame.docx

7/30/2019 apah sernin, notre dame.docx

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Nishant Grover

AP Art History

12/6/2011

The Romanesque and Gothic periods in France produced great works of art,

sculpture and architecture. The Holy Roman Empire and well as the subsequent

monarchies had a strong influence on these movements, which provided creative fodder

for French artists, sculptors and architects during this time. Architecture was one form of

art that flourished during both the Romanesque and Gothic periods. Two pieces that are

considered landmarks of these movements as well as French architecture are the

Romanesque Basilica of St. Sernin in Toulouse, France and the Gothic Notre Dame

Cathedral in Paris, France. Both structures share many similar architectural conventions

while each has its individual style derived from architectural, aesthetic and sculptural

components.

The first method to compare and contrast St. Sernin and Notre Dame is

architecturally. Before any building is built, its overhead view must be first drawn as a

diagram called a floor plan. The floor plan was essential to ecclesiastical architecture in

Medieval Europe and was unique to each structure. St. Sernins floor plan utilizes the

standard elements of Romanesque architecture such as the Latin cross-based transept and

nave, the defined apse and strong columnar support at the narthex, crossing and exterior.

Notre Dame, however, follows a variation on a Greek cross-based transept and nave, with

the horizontal cross being very short, while its apse is more rounded and connected to the

nave and its structural support has an exterior emphasis.

The second method to compare and contrast St. Sernin and Notre Dame is

aesthetically. Not only can the overhead view of a building be helpful in drawing a floor


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plan but it can also assist in seeing the true beauty of the buildings exterior and therefore

determining its aesthetic properties. This view of St. Sernin shows a very stylized church

made from red brick and white stone that imbibe the simplistic qualities of Roman

architecture while putting them in a more medieval, Romanesque perspective. The east end

of the basilica shows the apse covering as well as alternate entrances to the church.

Compared to St. Sernin, Notre Dame is more ornate and sophisticated in its exterior. This

can be attributed to the Gothic style of architecture as well as the newer techniques utilized

in constructing this cathedral. What truly adds to this heightened sense of design are the

two towers which complete this building by adding a touch of class and poise.

The third method to compare and contrast St. Sernin and Notre Dame is

sculpturally. Arches and vaulting makes up a majority of the sculptural aspect of medieval

churches. This is no different in St. Sernin. Transverse arches dot the many open entrances

in this church while the nave is covered by a series of barrel vaults and rib vaults cover the

aisles. These arches and the vaulted ceiling make the building seem very large. This large

size is supported by very thick walls and interior columnar support. Notre Dame, however,

differs in its sculptural qualities due to the use of flying buttresses as well as many diverse

elements within the cathedral. The arches and vaulting implemented in this building create

an even larger sense of size which showcases the Gothic element of going past what the

average man can do or build.

Both the Romanesque and Gothic periods of architecture have their own unique

elements that set apart the two styles as well as bridge them together over various

kingdoms and rulers. This is shown by the architectural, aesthetic and sculptural

comparison and contrast of the Basilica of St. Sernin and the Cathedral of Notre Dame.


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Works Cited

Garland. Notre Dame-Floor Plan. 1837. Graphic. Prints With a Past, England

Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art Through the Ages. 11th ed. Orlando: Hartcourt CollegePublishers, 2001. p.455-457,489-496. Print.

O'Reilly, E.B., 1921: "How France Built her Cathedrals". London and New York: Harper and

Brothers

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