gothic europe gardner chapter 18-2 pp. 469-477. the gothic cathedral the great cathedrals erected...
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THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL
The great cathedrals erected throughout Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries are the enduring symbols of the Gothic age
Towering structures
These buildings are a unique expression of medieval faith
The “recipe” for Gothic cathedrals = 1. rib vaults w/pointed arches
2. flying buttresses
3. stained-glass windows
CHARTRES, AFTER 1194
Aerial view of Chartres Cathedral, France, as rebuilt after 1194
Construction of urban cathedrals often lasted for decades/centuries
Financing depended on collections and public contributions -> lack of funding and unforeseen events often interrupted building
Rebuilt/post 1194 Chartres is considered the first High Gothic building
The Chartres plan, in which a single square in each aisle flanks a single rectangular unit in the nave with a four part vault, became the norm for High Gothic
Interior of Chartres Cathedral -> Chartres becomes a model for High Gothic churches -> tripartite elevation of nave arcade, triforium, and clerestory w/extremely tall stained-glass windows
CHARTRES, STAINED GLASS Virgin and Child and angels, detail of
a window in the choir of Chartres Cathedral, France, ca. 1170, 16” full height
Purpose of these windows was not to illuminate the interior w/bright sunlight but to transform light into lux nova/new light
Frontal composition of Mary and Child -> she is the beautiful, young, rather worldly Queen of Heaven -> compare this w/the Theotokos images in Byzantine art – severe and aloof
STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS
Detail of stained-glass rose window, north transept Chartres Cathedral, France, ca. 1220
Stained-glass windows are almost synonymous w/ Gothic architecture
These do not conceal walls -> they replace them -> transmit light instead of reflect light
Transmitting the light of God into the hearts of the faithful
Costly and labor-intensive to produce
CHARTRES, SOUTH TRANSEPT Saints Martin, Jerome, and Gregory, jamb
statues, Porch of the Confessors, south transept, Chartres Cathedral
In contrast to the Royal Portal statues, the south-transept statues have individual personalities and turn slightly to left or right, breaking the rigid vertical lines of 12th century predecessors
(right) Saint Theodore, jamb statue, Porch of the Martyrs, south transept, Chartres Cathedral, France, ca. 1230
Although the statue of Saint Theodore is still attached to a column, the setting no longer determines the pose -> saint is portrayed swinging out one hip, as in Greek statuary
AMIENS CATHEDRAL
Interior of Amiens Cathedral, Amiens, France, begun 1220
Amiens elevation derived from the High Gothic formula of Chartres -> even more elegant -> number and complexity of the lancet windows in clerestory and triforium are greater
French Gothic obsession with constructing taller churches
Self sustaining skeletal architecture -> nave vaults rise 144 ft. -> choir vault resembles a canopy suspended from bundled masts -> sunlight entering from clerestory windows creates an effect of buoyant lightness
West façade of Amiens Cathedral, France, begun 1220
Deep piercing of the Amiens façade left few surfaces for decoration -> but sculptors covered remaining ones w/colonettes, pinnacles, and rosettes that nearly dissolve the structure’s solid core
BEAU DIEU
Christ (Beau Dieu), trumeau statue of central doorway, west façade of Amiens Cathedral, France, ca. 1220-1235
Fully modeled figure -> massive drapery folds cascading from waist
Beau Dieu = Beautiful God -> a kindly figure who blesses all who enter the cathedral -> tramples a lion and dragon symbolizing the evil forces in the world -> image gives humankind hope in Salvation
Bearded, benevolent Gothic image of Christ
REIMS CATHEDRAL
West façade of Reims Cathedral, Reims, France, ca. 1225-1290
High Gothic style is carried further architecturally and sculpturally
Kings’ gallery of statues above the rose windows -> taller/more ornate frames
Openings in the towers are taller and more decorated
Pointed arch frames the rose window
Stained-glass windows replace stone relief sculptures in the tympana
(right) Annunciation and Visitation, jamb statues of the central doorway, west façade, Reims Cathedral, France, ca. 1230-1255
Reims jamb statues are detached from the columns -> classical naturalistic style and contrapposto postures -> legs bend, knees press through garments, arms in motion
SAINT-CHAPELLE, PARIS
Interior of the upper chapel, Saint-Chapelle, Paris, France, 1243-1248
Wall dissolving High Gothic architectural style
Masterpiece of the RAYONNANT(radiant) style of the High Gothic age -> the style of royal Parisian court of King Louis IX
¾’s of the structure is stained-glass -> each window is 49 feet high and 15 feet wide