1. Gothic Art
* The Gothic Period was most recognized for the impressive cathedrals created during this time period.
* Romanesque art paved the way for Gothic Art:
a) Many architectural structures during this time were begun as Romanesque but were finished as Gothic.
b) Many structures during this time period moved away from Romanesque’s “Heaviness and solidity” and moved towards “lightness and grace”
c) French architects were the 1st to develop the:
Pointed Arch, Piers and Flying Buttress’

2. Gothic Art Pointed Arches
* Pointed Arches were created in order to reduce the sideways pressure or thrust of a stone roof.
* Because the curve of a pointed arch is more vertical the trust is directed downward, which is very crucial when it came to the proper supports, etc.

3. Gothic Art Flying Buttresses
It’s a support OR brace that counter acts the outward thrust of an arch or vault.
They earned the name “flying buttress” because they often had to reach over the side aisles of the church.
These flying buttresses really helped with the support of the ceiling.
This new system eliminated the use or need for solid walls, because of this, Stained-glass windows were introduced to fill the extra space.

4. Gothic Art
Flying Buttresses

5. Gothic Art Stained-Glass Windows Were referred to as “Walls of glass”
They really helped natural light flow into the church.
They were used to impress and instruct the congregation with use of colorful images and designs.
They were very bold, bright and visually pleasing which made them much more attractive.

6. Gothic Art
Stained-Glass Windows

7. Gothic Art Interior Designs of Gothic Churches
Gothic Churches interiors mostly consisted of:
a) The vertical lines of the architecture
b) Richly colored stained-glass
c) Lighted from within by numerous candles
d) Carved relief sculptures
e) Arch stone ceilings

8. Gothic Art Construction of Gothic Churches
1) Gothic churches became the products of the new and prosperous cities.
2) These churches represented both expressions of religious devotion and symbols of civic pride.
3) These churches served as churches for bishops which soon caused bishops to want the biggest, tallest and most elaborate churches.

9. Gothic Art Construction of Gothic Churches
4) Everyone wanted to participate in constructing these churches.
5) People from every class (rich, poor, etc.) put forth money, time and effort toward these churches because they all had one common goal:
a) Praising God
b) Making their city beautiful.
6) Not only was the “Gothic Style” architecture used in churches, it was also used to design monasteries and secular buildings.

10. Gothic Art
Cathedral of Chartres

11. Gothic Art Gothic Sculptures/Sculptural Decorations
1) Even though sculpture developed into more “realistic and individualized lines” they still complimented the architectural settings in which it was placed.
2) To keep these sculptures from clashing with the architectural, the artists used several methods to make the sculptures unify well with the architecture:
a) Instead of creating statues normal size and proportions, the artists elongated or stretched them out.
Ex. Long folds on the sculptures garments, figures placed on globes had their toes pointed downward.

12. Gothic Art Gothic Sculptures/Sculptural Decorations
3) Gothic sculptures protruded from the walls to give them an “outward into space” look.
Ex. It gives them a look as if they are floating
4) All figures used were easily recognized and clearly identified by anyone familiar with the Bible.
Ex. St. Peter was always the figure who was holding a key-These keys opened the gates to the Kingdom of Heaven
Ex. Moses was always holding stone tablets-Ten Commandments
5) Gothic sculptors began to work even harder to make their sculptures look like real people.
a) Many sculptures appear to move and look about.
b) Drapery looks as though it covers a real 3D body.

13. Gothic Art
Gothic Sculptures/Sculptural Decorations

14. Gothic Art Comparing/Contrasting Tympanums
** Tympanums-is the ½ rounded panel that fills the space between the lintel and the arch over the doorway of the church.
Tympanums were very important to the architectural designs of both Romanesque and Gothic churches.
During the Romanesque period and early Gothic period Tympanums followed symmetrical (or) formal balance designs but later in the Gothic period, tympanums were designed in an Asymmetrical (or) informal balance design.

15. What differences do you see?
Gothic Art
Comparing/Contrasting Tympanums
** Two churches that STRONGLY show the TWO different types of balance are:
Burgos Cathedral in Spain Cathedral of Pamplona in Spain
What differences do you see?

16. Gothic Art
Comparing/Contrasting Tympanums
** Two churches that STRONGLY show the TWO different types of balance are:
Burgos Cathedral in Spain Cathedral of Pamplona in Spain
FORMAL BALANCE INFORMAL BALANCE
1) The Central focal point and largest ) Mary is the central figure in this Figure in this tympanum is Christ tympanum BUT Placed more to the left.
2) On either side of Christ are 4 2) There are 15 figures that are Evangelists writing on the desks to fit the surrounding Mary
Shape of the tympanum. **(An odd number of figures)

17. Gothic Art
Comparing/Contrasting Tympanums
** Two churches that STRONGLY show the TWO different types of balance are:
Burgos Cathedral in Spain Cathedral of Pamplona in Spain
FORMAL BALANCE INFORMAL BALANCE
3) 2 Apostles are also placed next to Christ 3) Christ is still the largest figure-he is To continue the Formal balance holding a smaller version of Mary which represents her soul.
4) Below Christ is all the 12 Apostles-6 on 4) Expressions are also carved into Each side . these sculptures unlike ones
In the past to show emotion and capture the viewer more.

18. Gothic Art
Gargoyles
**Grotesque flying monsters that pro-ject out from the upper proportions of the huge churches.
These were considered one of the most interesting sculptural features of Gothic Cathedrals.
They were used as rain spouts, intended to carry rainwater from the roof of the churches.
They were made of carved stone or cast metal.
They were made to look frightening because their purpose was to look like evil spirits felling for their lives from the sacred building.

19. Gothic Art
Gargoyles

20. Gothic Art Illustrated Books
There was a large demand for illustrated books that contained psalms, gospels and other parts of the liturgy.
These books were also called: Psalters
These books were prized possessions of the wealthy.
These illuminations showed how much they were influenced by stained-glass art.

21. Gothic Art Illustrated Books **A great example of this would be:
These illustrations were placed in architectural frames which resembled the frames used for stained-glass windows.
The figures in these illustrations were drawn with firm, dark outlines which resembled the lead stripes used to join the sections of stained-glass windows.
These illuminations were painted in rich, bold colors resembling stained-glass windows set into Gothic cathedral walls.
“The Carrow Psalter” (An English book of Prayers) strongly shows the resemblance/influence of stained-glass art.

22. Gothic Art Illustrated Books
*There was a specific illumination style that emerged during the Gothic Period called The International Style.
Artist’s using this style exhibited greater concern for realistic detail in their work.
Artist’s had a desire to make their art work more graceful and colorful.
Artist’s took delight in painting elegant/beautiful subjects with great care and precision.
The wealthy throughout Europe had a strong appeal for this style, which made the demand for this style greater.

23. Gothic Art The International Style.
A great example of this style was the “Book of Hours”:
a) The creators of this art piece were the famous Limbourg Brothers.
b) These 3 brothers were originally from Flanders but settles in France
c) The book was a book of prayers made for the Duke of Berry.
d) This book contained a series of elaborate pictures that illustrate the cycle of life through scenes of the 12 months.

24. Gothic Art The International Style.
A great example of this style was the “Book of Hours”:
e) Some of these scenes include : The month of May in which men/women are enjoying a ride in the sunshine , enjoying the warm weather after a long winter.
f) The precision and detaining found in these paintings are fascinating.
g) To paint such small details, these brothers most likely used a magnifying glass and extremely fine brushes.

25. Gothic Art
“Book of Hours”

26. Gothic Art Italian Church Paintings
Gothic style churches became popular in Italy but instead of putting in stained-glass windows, builders still commissioned artists to decorate their churches with murals.
Artist’s didn’t always paint on the walls of these churches. They also painted on wooden panels.
One of the most famous wooden panel artists from this time period was Duccio de Buoninsegna.

27. Gothic Art
Duccio de Buoninsegna.
1) He painted art pieces for the altar at the Cathedral of Siena
2) The art piece was titled “Maesta Altarpiece”. This meant Majesty Altarpiece and it consisted of 7 panels.
3) The emphasis of the art piece was the Madonna enthroned as the Queen of Heaven.

28. Gothic Art
Duccio de Buoninsegna.
4) His work strongly represented Byzantine Art. **You can clearly see this in one of his panel pieces from the Maesta Altarpiece titled “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew”
5) Duccio used a ton of gold in this piece, intense colors, 2D figures and shallow space which all reflects the Byzantine Style.
6) Duccio did introduce his own style/touches as well, which included a more realistic and relaxed look.

29. Gothic Art
Maesta Altarpiece

30. Gothic Art Giotto di Bondone(1266-1337)
1) He was an artist most recognized for making a revolutionary break with the flat, unrealistic elements of Byzantine art.
2) He Painted natural-looking figures who appear to take real space.
3) He was famous for his frescos.
4) Frescos are a method of painting in which pigments are applied to a thin layer of wet plaster.
* This was a very temperamental process in that the artist had to work very quickly before the plaster dries.

31. Gothic Art Giotto di Bondone(1266-1337)
1) One of his most famous art pieces was the fresco “Lamentation Pieta”
2) The idea of expressing spirituality did NOT interest Giotto, he was more interested in realism, especially human emotions.
3) In Lamentation Pieta he focuses on anguish, despair and resignation and you can clearly see this through gestures and the figures surrounding Christ.

32. Gothic Art
“Lamentation Pieta”
1) This art piece is a group of mourners surrounding the body of Christ, following the crucifixion.
2) Giotto really expressed human emotions in this art piece:
a) Mary holding Christ tightly
b) A woman clasps her hands in anguish
c) A man throws his hands back in a violent gesture.
** They are ALL mourning the death of Christ.
3) Because of how temperamental frescos were Giotto did NOT have time to include many details in his art pieces but they were still powerfully expressive.

33. Gothic Art
Lamentation Pieta”