Gothic Art Age of the Cathedral

DISCLAIMER

This presentation is an overview of the material in your text. It is not comprehensive, nor is it meant to be. This presentation allows you to introduce yourself to concepts and images in the respective chapter. Best practice says to view this presentation with your book open, as many of the images in this presentation are small or incomplete.

Guiding Questions

•Now that the momentum of pilgrimage has modified churches and made those churches very, very wealthy, how will the church spend its money?

•As we move closer to the Renaissance period of the 15th century (a period that will privilege Greco-Roman styles), what must be left behind in Christian art? Narrative? Flatness? An anti-classical perspective?

Guiding Historical Events

•Saint Denis is built in over a 54 years (1140—1194) and established the Gothic style

•The 13th century sees burgeoning university systems, including in Paris, where religious indoctrination meets scholarly endeavor. Greco-Roman texts are now translated by Christian writers.

•The end of the Gothic period sees more and more secular architecture rivaling the prestige and grandness of Gothic churches

Self Study:Throughout Christian history we have seen many images of Mary. How is this Gothic Mary different? How might she be more of a comfort to pilgrims than images of Mary we have seen in the Byzantine period?

Characteristics of Gothic Architecture

Left: Reims Cathedral,

Reims, France and Right:

Notre Dame, Paris, France

A.LancetsB.Recessed PortalsC.PinnaclesD.Rose WindowE. Jamb StatuaryF. Ogival Arch (pointed

arch)G.Flying Buttress

The goal of the Gothic builder is to 1) ornament the structure in order to glorify the prestige of the community and 2) dissolve, puncture the solid mass of the church wall. The following elements are used to do just that:

The overall effect is of effortless

strength, of a buoyant lightness

not normally

associated with stone

architecture. --Fred S.

Kleiner

Gothic Architecture Outside of France

Left: Salisbury Cathedral, England,

Top Right: Gloucester, Cathedral, England,

Bottom Right: Westminster Abbey,

London, England

Gothic Architecture in France emphasizes the vertically of Christian worship--transcendence. Gothic architecture outside of France emphasizes horizontality. Note the stone color changes in both Salisbury and Gloucester. They lead your eye along horizontal lines. Also, in England, the goal is to disguise rather than dissolve the walls. Notice the organic "blooming" of the choir vault at Westminster Abbey.

Rose Window at Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France

Stained glass further dissolves the wall AND creates an otherworldly light in the church interior. This creates a kinesthetic worship experience for believers.

Stained glass, however, is more than ornament in a sacred space. It can connect the royal power to religious power, as in the example to the left.

With Mary, Mother of God, at the center as Queen of Heaven supported by the lineage of Old Testament queens and Kings, queen Blanche of Castile can justify her own royal power through religious iconography.

In subsequent presentations, you will explore:

•The Cathedral of Notre Dame at Chartres

•The Art of Stained Glass

•http://youtu.be/vAtQB9wLkUA