2. 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.
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. Characteristics of Gothic Architecture
Left: Reims
Cathedral,
Reims, France
and Right:
Notre Dame,
Paris, France
A.Lancets
B.Recessed Portals
C.Pinnacles
D.Rose Window
E.Jamb Statuary
F. 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
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. In subsequent presentations, you will
explore:
• The Cathedral of Notre Dame at Chartres
• The Art of Stained Glass
• http://youtu.be/vAtQB9wLkUA
