Essays on Gothic Architecture

Works of art can communicate critical information on the times in which they were created. Different time periods and different cultural backgrounds provide the stylistic and media elements of a work of art. There may be no specific intent to portray the times, but that is what happens when the artist creates a work of art in a particular artistic period. Examples of art works from two distinctly different times and cultures will demonstrate how the art in the Medieval period of European history and Pop Art from the late mid-20th century differ. The Medieval period in art history ...

Biography of the Sainte Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle, French for Holy Chapel, is located in Paris, France. It was built in the traditional gothic style for the time, and it was accomplished over the span of seven years . Cohen mentions Sainte-Chapelle’s original purpose was to be a religious temple for previous Christian vestiges, it is rumored that should Christ’s Holy Grail ever have been found it would have been placed here. Moreover, The Shroud of Turin likely would have been put here, as well . The supposed crown of thorns worn by Christ at the time of his death, according to Weiss, was housed ...

Chartres, France

The monuments and architecture in ancient times allow talking and narrating about the historical background from the angle of time in which they were built. Through various signs, they inform us about the prosperity, decline of the reigns and empires as well. Thus, they are the major means of communication. They can tell us a lot about the economic, political and religious circumstances of the specific region. They also narrate the contemporary architectural trend. In medieval Europe, especially in France, the Gothic architecture was at its pinnacle. Cathedral Notre-Dame de Chartres is one of the Gothic architecture examples in ...

The Chartres Cathedral, also known as the Notre-Dame Cathedral located eighty kilometers to the southwest of Paris is perhaps the best-preserved example of Gothic architecture. It stands in the town of Chartres next to the Eure River. The Cathedral has two contrasted spires that are visible from a distance (See figure 1). It was built for a period of 26 years between the years 1194 and 1220 and is the fifth cathedral to stand on its site (visual-arts-cork.com 1). The Chartres Cathedral stands 34 meters high and 130 meters long (visual-arts-cork.com 1). The architecture of the Chartres Cathedral amazes ...

The primary purpose of this essay is to explain how Cathedral of Notre-Dame, also referred to as Chartres Cathedral relates to the culture of the time and how the building was a product of its cultural and political conditions. Chartres Cathedral is situated in Chartres, towards the northwestern France and one of the prime examples of French Gothic architecture. It is well famous for its stained glass and different sculptures ranging from column statues to miniatures. A fire in1194 destroyed most of the cathedral, which was later reconstructed (Chartres Cathedral 2016). The church is made of limestone and displays ...

The monuments and architecture in ancient times are capable of talking and narrating the historical background of the respective time in which they were built. Through various signs, they inform us about the prosperity, decline of the reigns and empires as well. Thus they are the major means of communication. They can tell us the economic, political and religious circumstances of the respective region. They also narrate the contemporary architectural trend. In medieval Europe, especially in France, the Gothic architecture was at its pinnacle. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is one of the Gothic architectures in the middle age. It ...

Essay no.1

How the depictions of Christ represent change between the Romanesque and Gothic periods from Gislebertus’ Last Judgment tympanum (south portal, Cathedral of St. Lazare, Autun, France, ca. 1120-1135) and the Virgin and Child with Angels window (ca. 1170, Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France) The Romanesque architecture existed between 800 and 1100 AD, was characterized by round arches and occasionally pointed arches, and was highly influenced by the religious fervor of the Midvale era (Toole, 23). The theme for which the Romanesque arts were decorated in interior of the churches was based on Christianity to depict the power and glory to ...

Introduction

1. Answering the first question on Abbot Suger’s request to help with the creation of a new type of sacred buildings it can be complied taking into account the new tendencies of Gothic architecture. This new style of buildings appeared in 12th century after Suger’s innovation. Gothic Architecture took over Romanesque style of buildings and remained the most popular among architects until the Renaissance. But before all of this was known, I have to help aboot Suger with his new idea. Designing St. Denis’ Cathedral in France was a challenging task for me as an architect. Still, it was ...

- Paleolithic cave paintings and the Neolithic Susa vessel have a common subject matter; they both illustrate the animals, hunting scenes and cuneiform writings. The Paleolithic art which was made during the old stone period has two styles: Franco-Cantabrian which was attributed to the Cro-Magnon man whose designs depict horses, bison and cattle for their art subjects. The Neolithic art on the other hand was a new art formed in the new stone period. The style of Neolithic art was portable art is characterized of its ability to be moved from one place to another either by humans or by environment. ...

Question 1: Medieval art

Medieval art is a combination of both the classical and new classical traditions due to the various aspects of the art especially the elements of both Romanesque and gothic art and architecture in relation to the medieval church. Each of the architectural designs has its own outstanding and unique features that make them stand as original. In this history, we can take note of the Romanesque architecture of the Medieval Europe between sixth and 10th century. Two centuries later, it evolved into Gothic architecture that lasted for four centuries to 16th century (Bony 13). The term Romanesque architecture is used ...

The photo given in the assignment is a very important historic piece of art which depicts what type of art existed even before conception of the contemporary forms of art. This is because the photo is of a Roman Catholic cathedral named Chartres. This cathedral is one of the largest still standing pieces of architecture that are products of gothic architecture which existed in the 13th and part of 14th centuries.

One of the outstanding characteristics of this building that makes it fit well in the gothic architecture is the height. The height of the building appears to be very tall ...

The origins of stained glass are not clear, but are believed to have emerged from 10th century depictions of Jesus Christ and Biblical scenes. Stained glass is achieved by using metallic salts to color glass during manufacture. Abbot Suger, named the father of stained glass, believed that the presence of beautiful objects lifts people’s souls and brings them closer to God (Homan, 2005). He described the light that emerged from the glass as “heavenly light.” There is a belief in the spiritual symbolism of light as caused by stained glass and its power to support worship and glorify God. ...

of the most important building of the particular styles:

Early Christian, Byzantine, Islamic, Gothic

Each period of history has its own particular, specific art style, which contains its own significant masterpieces. It doesn’t matter what kind of art is it: painting, sculpture, architecture, etc. For example, for the Early Christian Era, such masterpieces are: The Basilica at Trier in architecture and Jesus healing the bleeding woman, depicted in the Catacombs of Rome. Talking about Byzantine period, it is important to mention such works as: the Church of Holy Wisdom or Hagia Sophia in the architecture and the most famous mosaic of this church ...

Religious faith was a determined motivating factor behind everything (Macaulay, “Cathedral”). The invasion of the barbarians and the plague of diseases had taken their toll on the medieval citizens. Hence, their primary source of strength was faith. Christian faith was highly important in the pious middle ages. It serves as a driving force for people to go on with their lives, not only during the middle ages but also in the modern era. Additionally, faith also served as a lucky charm amongst merchants who craved for more riches. By building a cathedral within a town, it only means that a town is prosperous and wealthy ...

Analysis of Architecture at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City

New York City, the U.S. holds within its territory, a famed gem, in the name of St Patrick’s Cathedral, midtown Manhattan, which is symbolically set in Neo-Gothic Architecture. Being a Roman Catholic Church, it is a prominent landmark, as it is the sitting place of the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York. It primarily serves as a parish church, and is located along Fifth Avenue, between two streets, the 50th and 51 Streets; facing the Atlas Statue, and directly across from the Rockefeller Center. It is a masterful, massive Gothic structure, set uniquely amongst New York’s Midtown, which is adorned by ...

Gothic architecture started between 12th and 13th centuries (Frankl and Paul 5). Engineering advancements had freed architecture of the church from the thick, heavy walls of Romanesque frameworks and permitted ceilings to soar, windows to proliferate, and walls to thin. Gothic interiors attracted gazes of churchgoers upward to high ceilings full of light. Graceful spires and buttresses soared above town. The Gothic phase started with Abbot Sugar’s construction of the renowned Abbey of St-Denis during the 1140s (Frankl and Paul 9). Nonetheless, Cathedrale de Notre-Dame is believed to have made this style influential. Work started on Notre Dame ...

The Chartes Cathedral and the Salisbury Cathedral are both unique cathedrals. They represent the Christian as a symbol of the age and magnificence of the church. However they achieve this by having unique architectural facets that make them different.

The differences are;

The similarities are rather evident from the architectural style. While they are located in different nations, they are both consistent with Gothic architecture. The Chartes Cathedral is influenced by French Gothic architecture while the Salisbury Cathedral is influenced by English Gothic architecture. Both cathedrals were built around the same time. The Salisbury Cathedral was built between 1220 and 1258, while ...

Gabrielle M. Spiegel, “The cult of St.Dennis and Capctian Kingship” The past as Text. The theory and Practice of Medieval Histiography. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore In the excerpt, The Past as Text, Gabrielle M Spiegel explores medieval history while applying the concept of postmodernism. Spiegel allows the reader to make an assessment while applying critical and theoretical assessments of postmodernism. Similarly, Spiegel would like the reader to know that the texts are artifice and are mostly determined by historical occurrences that would be difficult to dig for the modern eye to capture. She begins her quest ...

In the 19th century, a transition of time was marked by the departure of fundamental laws in the history of the German civilization. The Gothic architecture grew rapidly and gained admiration for its Neo-Gothic styles, which meant to revive the medieval Gothic style. The tension between the modern and the ancient style reached its peak. The figures were conservative in comparison to innovation in architecture. Goethe through Gothic explorations is based on principles of architecture that gives the architect freedom for invention and creativity. Goethe was an advocate of Gothic ornaments that evoked beauty and a sense of truth in him. ...

Assignment 2.

Concerning the circle of Hell I would send him to, as Dante, it might have been the second circle, meaning the one responsible for lust and where sinners were hunted by horrible storm. On the other hand, I think it would be too mild because Dante's perception of lust is more connected with love and obsession with one's beloved one, rather than an act of dominance and possession of one' will and freedom. So, I would place him in the Seventh circle for violence because he committed violence against those women he raped. I would place him in the ...

Introduction

Each of the architectural designs has its own outstanding and unique features that make them stand as original. In history, we can take note of the Romanesque architecture of the Medieval Europe between sixth and tenth century. Two centuries later, it evolved into Gothic architecture, commonly applied in building medieval cathedrals, which lasted for four centuries to the sixteenth century. Apart from these being history, there are specific architectural elements that in the eyes of the medieval builder are the result of not only technical but also spiritual quest.

The technical aspect of the gothic cathedral

The gothic architecture was preceded by a period of transition: the ...