Chapter Seven Gothic Europe Dates and Places: 12 th to 14 th century Western Europe (begins in France) People: Growth of urban centers Sophisticated courts Scholasticism Cult of Virgin Mary Reims Cathedral, ca. 1225–1290. Fig. 7-1.
Gothic Themes: Virgin Mary Life of Christ and saints Portraits Secular life Forms: Immense churches Increasingly optical approach to figures and space Lavish ornament and materials Saint Theodore, Chartres Cathedral, ca Fig
Gothic: France Example: Birth of Gothic style Abbot Suger Royal church Rib vaults and pointed arches Open space Stained glass windows, symbolic light = lux nova Plan, abbey church, Saint-Denis, 1140– Fig. 7-3.
Gothic: France Notre-Dame, begun Fig. 7-8.
Gothic: France Example: Flying buttresses Quadrant arches Rose windows Towers on heavily ornamented westwork Large clerestory of stained glass windows Skeletal support system Notre-Dame, begun Fig. 7-8.
Gothic: France Example: Stained glass window Lux nova Stories of the faith Virgin Mary Bar tracery Rose window and lancets, Chartres Cathedral, ca Fig
Gothic: France Amiens Cathedral, begun Fig
Gothic: France Example: Gothic architects seek height Nave bays with arcade, triforium, and clerestory Rib vaults, colonettes, compound piers Flying buttresses outside Amiens Cathedral, begun Fig
Gothic: France Annunciation and Visitation, Reims Cathedral, ca. 1230–1255. Fig
Gothic: France Example: Portal jamb sculpture Compare to Royal Portal at Chartres Increasing naturalism Figures released from vertical support Influence of classical sculpture Cult of Mary: Visitation Annunciation and Visitation, Reims Cathedral, ca. 1230–1255. Fig
Gothic: France Sainte-Chapelle, 1243–1248. Fig
Gothic: France Example: Skeletal support Walls replaced by stained glass Rib vaults, mullions Rayonnant style Sainte-Chapelle, 1243–1248. Fig
Gothic: France Blanche of Castile, Louis IX, and two monks, 1226–1234. Fig
Gothic: France Example: Illuminated manuscript Produced in urban workshops Luxury books for private patrons Contemporary architectural style Courtly elegance Blanche of Castile, Louis IX, and two monks, 1226–1234. Fig