1. The Gothic Cathedral

2. THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL OBJECTIVES Understand the key structural components of the Gothic cathedral Explain the origins of the Gothic style Analyze the cathedral as an interactive environment Explain the symbolic properties of light and height in the Gothic cathedral

3. Ille de France region

4. Notre Dame, Paris, 1163- 1267 THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL

5. Romanesque style: Ste. Marie, Souillac, France. c. 1130

6. Gothic style: Abbey Church of St. Denis, France, 1220s

7. Gothic Cathedral Architectural Style Began in France in the 12 c. Pointed arches. Flying buttresses. Stained glass windows. Elaborate, ornate interior. Taller, more airy  lots of light. Lavish sculpture  larger-than-life.

8. Development of Gothic Cathedrals 1. Urban revolution: civic pride, rising wealth, intense urban piety 2. Mirrors shift in piety, literature, and the lifestyle of the nobility towards emotional intensity and refinement 3.Structural engineering advances allowed for greater height and took the weight off the walls allowing for the installation of large windows

9. Gothic Cathedrals: 2 major features LIGHT HEIGHT

10. Notre Dame, Paris, ca. 1250, nave & choir

11. Interactive Elements Educational program Inspiring mystical, emotional experience using light and height

12. Abbot Suger: creates the Gothic style at St. Denis Choir, St. Denis, 1140s **First church space to focus on making the ceiling higher and the interior more filled with light **Beginning of new style of church design in France

13. The Gothic Style Emerges Tree of Jesse, window at St. Denis **educational **symbolic of God’s light in your life

14. Royal Chapel of St. Chapelle, Paris, begun 1240s

15. Sainte Chapelle, interior

16. Rose Window : A circular window composed of patterned tracery arranged in petal-like formation.

17. The good, of course, is always beautiful, and the beautiful never lacks proportion. --- Plato Rose Window Chartres Cathedral, Paris

19. Notre Dame Cathedral **Exterior of cathedrals are also part of the educational program **Numerous relief and partially free- standing sculptures cover the front and sides of the structure—all carefully planned to be part of an overall religious program

21. Notre Dame, portal carvings

22. Spires — rise up pointing to heaven

23. Cathedral Gargoyles

24. HEIGHT Structural Elements Rib Vaults Pointed Arches Flying Buttresses

25. Rib Vault: A relatively thin stone vault set within a framework of ribs.

26. Nave height: 140 feet Amiens, nave vaulting, 1220-1247

27. Flying Buttress: a free-standing support attached to the outer walls to resist the lateral thrust of a vault Amiens Cathedral Nave cross section

28. Flying Buttress

29. Amiens Cathedral, buttressing

30. Source: Amiens Cathedral Project Computer graphic: Amiens

31. Basilican Floor Plan (Latin Cross) Cathedrals were usually oriented along an east-west axis. The main entrance was on the west end while the liturgical stuff (altar, bishop’s throne, etc.) was located in the east end. They had the shape of a Latin cross.

32. NAVE: the central longitudinal space of a basilican church Basilican Plan (Latin Cross)

33. AISLE: the space between the columns of the nave and the side wall

34. TRANSEPT : an extension across the main axis giving a church the shape of a cross

35. apse Crossing : area of a church where the nave, choir, and transept intersect Choir: area of the church where the priest performs the mass Apse: vaulted, circular extension or projection at the eastern end of a church

36. Which Interior Is Which?

37. Which Cathedral Style Is Which?