Jennifer Wiley
IST 605 Jill Hurst-Wahl
12/2/2010
Pathfinder: Gothic Architecture in Bird Library
Gothic Architecture
This is a guide for finding information on Gothic architecture in the resources available through
Bird Library. Gothic architecture is a medieval style of architecture, most commonly associated
with cathedrals, abbeys, and churches. The size and style of these designs were used by
architects as a way of conveying the glory of God and ornamental pieces often depicted Biblical
imagery. The buildings are known for their scale and the great amount of detail and ornament
put into each one. The Gothic architecture movement was very focused on how the building
could use it’s physical structure to effect the emotions of the masses.
Some terms to keep in mind:
 Architectural drawings: technical drawings. These include floor plans, cutaways,
elevations, etc.
 Sub-styles: specific trends within the Gothic movement. These can be defined by region,
by time period, or by aesthetic trends.
 Gothic Revival: an architectural movement in the late 1700’s when designers brought
back many of the elements of Gothic architecture.
General Information
Bird Library offers a wealth of resources on the topic of Gothic architecture. Here is a variety of
the books and online databases available through Bird that will supply good information for the
overall subject of Gothic architecture.
Print Resources
Bumpus, T. F. (1914). A guide to Gothic architecture. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co.
This book provides in depth explanations of the relationships between architecture, art,
and religion as well as discussing the effects of these relationships on the general public and the
development of classification systems. This subject matter would be especially valuable to
anyone wishing to understand the cultural significance of the Gothic architecture movement.
The author divides the contents by sub-styles of Gothic and provides a glossary of terms in the
back, creating an easy method of both searching and understanding of basic terminology. Plates
throughout the book also provide good visual aids with photographs as well as a variety of
architectural drawings.
Lesser, G. (1957). Gothic cathedrals and sacred geometry. London: A. Tiranti.
This book studies the symbolism created by the technical designs implemented by the
architects of Gothic architecture. It describes how the specific shapes and proportions were
believed to be significant to the holiness of the space within the cathedrals. Lesser provides
architectural drawings of specific buildings with the proportions and math marked out as well as
equations for the geometry being described. He also takes the time to acknowledge arguments
that could be made against his conclusions and attempts to respond to them clearly. This would
be a good source for anyone interested in understanding how the architects used technical
elements to create an emotional effect on the public.
Mark, R. (1982). Experiments in Gothic structure. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
This book provides an engineering perspective of architecture instead of the artistic or
historical perspective that is more commonly used. Mark analyzes collapses and repairs to
explain the development of the style with specific examination of structural elements including
buttresses, vaulting, etc. The analysis is accompanied by lots of photographs and illustrations of
actual buildings as well as images of models being tested under environmental experiments.
Mark also provided a split glossary divided into engineering terms and architectural terms. This
would be a good source for anyone looking to better understand the development of the structure
of Gothic architecture.
Parker, J. H. (1881). An introduction to the study of Gothic architecture (6th ed.). Oxford:
Parker.
This book provides a focus on how the combination of time and location effected the
development of Gothic architecture, dividing the contents by sub-styles including differing
countries, differing centuries, and differing aesthetics (Chapter 2 explains these divisions).
Parker included detailed illustrations of architectural elements throughout and a glossary in the
back. This would be a valuable resource for anyone interested at looking at the scope of Gothic
architecture.
Roritzer, M., Shelby, L. R., & Schmuttermayer, H. (1977). Gothic design techniques :The
fifteenth-century design booklets of mathes roriczer and hanns schmuttermayer.
Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.
This book provides a focus on the architects instead of the architecture, describing what
they were doing or what they thought they were doing. In this medium, the authors describe the
history of the field of architecture around the middle ages, focusing specifically on the
significance of Gothic architecture. Two booklets translated from German are included in the
book with the translations running parallel to one another that provide how-to’s for architects,
focusing on the importance of geometry and providing lots of illustrations. A glossary of terms
(mostly for German) is provided at the back to help understand the technical terminology. This
would be a good source for any one curious about the men behind the buildings and about the
technical aspects.
von Simson, O. G. (1956). The gothic cathedral: Origins of gothic architecture and the medieval
concept of order. New York: Pantheon Books.
This book looks at the symbolism of Gothic architecture and medieval significance of art
and architecture. Chapters are dedicated to specific buildings, elements of Gothic design, and
general history with sections divided to emphasize the general design, the beginnings of the
movement, and the ultimate end which allows for easy browsing of the subject. Plates are
included throughout with photographs of actual buildings, architectural drawings, and images of
religious manuscripts that reflect the presence of Gothic style in more than just the architecture
of the time. This is a good resource for looking at the Gothic movement as a whole.
Databases
EbscoHost (n.d.) Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals [electronic]. Ipswich, MA:
ebscohost.com. Available through SU library subscription.
This database offers a collection of written works concerning Gothic architecture going
all the way back to the late 1700’s through today. EbscoHost allows a user to narrow the field by
century, specific year, language, and more. It also provides full text articles in many cases,
another option that can specified in the advanced search. A user also is also able to save articles
to a folder to save while searching for additional works. This is a good source for a variety of
users.
ARTstor (n.d.) ARTstor [electronic]. New York, NY: artstor.org. Available through SU library
subscription.
This database offers a variety of images of Gothic architecture buildings. The captions
include information such as location, years during which it was built, measurements of the
building, and a brief description of the building. Often a link to further information is also
provided. This is a good resource for getting introduced to the concept of Gothic architecture
and understanding specific examples a little better.
Internet Resources
Gothic art and architecture. (2010). Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.gothic-architecture.com/
This is an entire website dedicated to Gothic art and architecture. Quick links are
provided on the left side including such topics as origins, differing sub-styles, specific buildings,
specific regions, and Gothic Revival. There is an additional link for glossary terms on the right
side that remains no matter what other link you click. This is a good resource for both general
and specific topic browsing.
Martindale, A. H. R. (n.d.). Gothic art and architecture. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://history-world.org/gothic_art_and_architecture.htm
This website was written by a professor of visual arts in England. Though it does not
provide very many images, it does discuss the Gothic movement from start to finish in a concise
format that may be more desirable to some users than an entire book. Topics include styles of
various regions, a variety of technical elements, classifications of sub-styles, and the men
involved in the works. This is a good introductory material.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2010). Gothic art. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgot/hd_mgot.htm
This page is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and includes a good amount of
images. It discusses briefly the history of the movement as well as it’s effects on European
culture. Most valuable here is the use of links within the text that bring up specific images to
provide a quick reference system. This is a good introductory source.
Ornamentation
Gothic architecture is known for its elaborate detail, the specifics of which are often very useful
in dating buildings and figuring out what masons and architects were associated with them. For
information specific to the ornamentation, try these resources.
Print Resources
Paley, F. A., & Fawcett, W. M. (1902). A manual of Gothic moldings :With directions for
copying them and for determining their dates (6th ed.). Cleveland: C. W. Kuehny.
This book offers a thorough introduction to the subject of Gothic ornamentation. The
authors discuss the methodology used for creating the pieces and include both typical
measurements and a variety of drawings throughout, often showing comparisons in style. At the
end of the book are also included a collection of plates showing a wide range of comparisons of
different types of moldings. The contents are divided by the elements that would have contained
the moldings (columns, bases, capitals, etc) and types of moldings (decorative, perpendicular,
etc) which makes browsing easy. This is a good source for understanding the importance and
differences within these smaller pieces of architecture.
Pugin, A., & Pugin, A. W. N. (1916). Gothic ornaments, selected from various ancient buildings
in England and France, exhibiting numerous specimens of every description of decorative
detail(A new a rev ed.). London: J. Tiranti and company.
This book would be best to be used purely as supplement to existing research, but is a
valuable supplement. It is comprised entirely of images of the variety of ornaments used in
Gothic architecture. Often the images are very large to allow for better examination of the finer
details incorporated within these ornaments and captions including location of buildings that
offer specific examples could help understand regional differences. Through this medium, the
authors give a good idea of the true scope and design of the details that partly define Gothic
architecture. Though, again, best for supplemental research, this is a good source for better
understanding the visual aspects of Gothic design.
By Region
Gothic architecture was used across Europe. If you are interested in the architecture by country,
here are a few good places to look.
Print Resources
Arslan, E. (1972). Gothic architecture in Venice [Venezia gotica.English]. London: Phaidon;
distributed by Praeger, New York.
This book takes on the unusual task of focusing on the Gothic buildings that were secular
in nature. It does a very good job, however, of discussing the relationship of the Gothic
architecture in Venice to the Gothic architecture in the rest of Europe. There is a great deal of
focus on the details of Venetian design accompanied by a many large plates and illustrations.
The contents are organized chronologically with discussion of history being present throughout.
This is a good source for understanding how Venice contributed to the Gothic movement.
Bond, F. (1906). Gothic architecture in England;an analysis of the origin & development of
English church architecture from the Norman conquest to the dissolution of the
monasteries. London: B. T. Batsford.
This book does an exceptional job of explaining the tiny parts that together create the
overall Gothic design. It includes definitions of general architecture vs. early Christian
architecture vs. Romanesque architecture vs. Gothic architecture and emphasizes the relationship
between Romanesque and Gothic (Romanesque being the predecessor to Gothic). There is also a
great deal of discussion concerning the skeletal structure of Gothic buildings with lots of pictures
and illustrations of details throughout. Finally, Bond included a glossary of terms as well as
indexes divided by illustrations, location of buildings, and subject matter. This is a good source
for in depth study into English Gothic.
Crossley, P. (1985). Gothic architecture in the reign of Kashmir the Great : Church architecture
in Lesser Poland, 1320-1380. Kraków: Ministerstwo Kultury i Sztuki, Zarza?d Muzeów i
Ochrony Zabytków.
This book goes into thorough discussion of how Polish society effected the Gothic
movement as well as how the Gothic movement effect Polish and European history. Within the
discussions, Crossley also included maps and plates depicting architectural drawings and
photographs, focusing both on specific buildings and general architectural designs. This is a
good source for understanding the relationship between culture and architecture as a give and
take.
Jackson, T. G. (1915). Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy. Cambridge Eng.:
University Press.
This work divided between two volumes discusses specific buildings in each of the three
countries as well as discussing how the countries influenced each other. Greater attention is paid
to the relationship between England and France. There are a great deal of illustrations and plates
throughout and Jackson included annotations in the margins beside the text to call attention to
specific topics. This is a good source for understanding not only the unique qualities of each the
French, English, and Italian Gothics, but also the ways in which they related to and effected to
one another.
Street, G. E., & King, G. G. (1914). Some account of Gothic architecture in Spain. London;
Toronto: J.M. Dent & Sons, ltd.
This work, also divided between two volumes, describes the important Gothic buildings
across Spain through the perspective of a traveler, with the drawings actually being done by the
author himself during his own travels. The contents are organized by regions within Spain. In
volume two, the author adds a general summary to classify the buildings more generally in terms
of history and style instead of region and provides some history about Spanish Gothic architects.
This is a good source for understanding Spanish Gothic, a subject often left out of other works.
Specific Buildings
If you are looking for something a little more specific, here are some good resources concerning
only one building at a time.
Print Resources
Branner, R., & Branner, S. P. (1989). The cathedral of Borges and its place in Gothic
architecture. New York, N.Y.: Architectural History Foundation.
This book provides a unique perspective as the author himself contributed to hands on
excavation work at the site of Borges. Included is a discussion of the building’s historic
significance to the Gothic movement and a timeline of the life of the cathedral, including
findings of physical evidence. Illustrations throughout include architectural drawings and detail
photographs emphasizing Gothic design elements. This is a good source for studying not only
the history of the cathedral of Borges but also for understanding the importance of the smaller
elements.
Internet Resources
Cathedrale Notre Dame Paris. (2010). Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
This is a website dedicated exclusively to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Links are
provided in both French and English and include such topics as building history and architectural
elements as well as specific artistic elements including paintings, sculptures, and stain-glass
windows. It also provides a variety of views of the cathedral. Finally, a link to a kid friendly
site is provided which introduces children to the physical building, the history of the cathedral,
and different things that happen at the cathedral. This is a great source for some one interested in
very detailed information about Notre Dame.
King's College Cambridge. (n.d.) Chapel. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/index.html
This site is part of Cambridge University’s King College website. The chapel is part of
the college. The site includes images of the chapel as well as information including it’s history
as well as present day information including times the chapel is open and activities available at
the chapel. The building of the chapel spanned many decades, being haulted for several wars in
between. The history given on this website divides itself over the ruling king at the time and
goes on to discuss the masons involved. This is a good source for understanding how the chapel
fit into British history and for understanding how individual people were involved in it’s
creation.
Ready Reference Resources
For quick, concise information.
Print Resources
Curl, J. S., & Sambrook, J. J. (1999). A dictionary of architecture. Oxford; New York: Oxford
University Press.
This dictionary includes entries on Gothic, Gothic Revival, Gothic Survival and Gothick
(a style vaguely based on Gothic) as well as many entries covering the specific elements of
Gothic design. The entries do a good job of packing a lot of information concisely and some
illustrations are included for more detailed elements. Most importantly, this is a dictionary
specifically designed to make architectural terminology accessible to students and the general
public. This is a good source for anyone studying Gothic architecture, especially if you are new
to the subject.
Harris, C. M. (1977). Historic architecture sourcebook. New York: McGraw-Hill.
This sourcebook includes a great deal of illustrations throughout the entries, including
interior and exterior views of typical Gothic style. The illustrations even go so far as to point our
specific elements of the designs including the nave, the aisle, the clerestory, the pinnacle, the
spire, flying buttresses and many more. There is discussion of the differences between countries,
with separate entries for Gothic Revival and Gothic Survival. All the entries are short and to the
point, but still provide the vital information. This is a very good source for quickly
understanding everything that goes into Gothic design.
Internet Resources
Vadnal, J. (1997). Glossary of medieval art and architecture. Retrieved November 12, 2010,
from http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/Index.htm
This web page is offered through the University of Pittsburgh. The author has compiled
an in depth glossary of terms associated with medieval art and architecture, many of which
would apply to the Gothic movement. Provided are links to the first letter of a word you are
looking for to make searching easier. Vadnal also provided links within the definitions to related
words in her glossary. This is a good source for quickly looking up technical terms.
For Scholars
These resources would best serve scholars looking for in depth research.
Print Resources
Arslan, E. (1972). Gothic architecture in Venice [Venezia gotica.English]. London: Phaidon;
distributed by Praeger, New York.
Bond, F. (1906). Gothic architecture in England;an analysis of the origin & development of
English church architecture from the Norman conquest to the dissolution of the
monasteries. London: B. T. Batsford.
Branner, R., & Branner, S. P. (1989). The cathedral of Borges and its place in Gothic
architecture. New York, N.Y.: Architectural History Foundation.
Bumpus, T. F. (1914). A guide to Gothic architecture. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co.
Crossley, P. (1985). Gothic architecture in the reign of Kashmir the Great : Church architecture
in Lesser Poland, 1320-1380. Kraków: Ministerstwo Kultury i Sztuki, Zarza?d Muzeów i
Ochrony Zabytków.
Jackson, T. G. (1915). Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy. Cambridge Eng.:
University Press.
Lesser, G. (1957). Gothic cathedrals and sacred geometry. London: A. Tiranti.
Mark, R. (1982). Experiments in Gothic structure. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Paley, F. A., & Fawcett, W. M. (1902). A manual of Gothic moldings :With directions for
copying them and for determining their dates (6th ed.). Cleveland: C. W. Kuehny.
Parker, J. H. (1881). An introduction to the study of Gothic architecture (6th ed.). Oxford:
Parker.
Pugin, A., & Pugin, A. W. N. (1916). Gothic ornaments, selected from various ancient buildings
in England and France, exhibiting numerous specimens of every description of decorative
detail(A new a rev ed.). London: J. Tiranti and company.
Roritzer, M., Shelby, L. R., & Schmuttermayer, H. (1977). Gothic design techniques :The
fifteenth-century design booklets of mathes roriczer and hanns schmuttermayer.
Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.
Street, G. E., & King, G. G. (1914). Some account of Gothic architecture in Spain. London;
Toronto: J.M. Dent & Sons, ltd.
von Simson, O. G. (1956). The gothic cathedral: Origins of gothic architecture and the medieval
concept of order. New York: Pantheon Books.
Databases
EbscoHost (n.d.) Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals [electronic]. Ipswich, MA:
ebscohost.com. Available through SU library subscription.
Internet Resources
Cathedrale Notre Dame Paris. (2010). Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
King's College Cambridge. (n.d.) Chapel. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/index.html
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2010). Gothic art. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgot/hd_mgot.htm
For Casual Users
These resources would be of better use to a casual user looking for in depth information.
Print Resources
Arslan, E. (1972). Gothic architecture in Venice [Venezia gotica.English]. London: Phaidon;
distributed by Praeger, New York.
Bond, F. (1906). Gothic architecture in England;an analysis of the origin & development of
English church architecture from the Norman conquest to the dissolution of the
monasteries. London: B. T. Batsford.
Bumpus, T. F. (1914). A guide to Gothic architecture. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co.
Jackson, T. G. (1915). Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy. Cambridge Eng.:
University Press.
Lesser, G. (1957). Gothic cathedrals and sacred geometry. London: A. Tiranti.
Paley, F. A., & Fawcett, W. M. (1902). A manual of Gothic moldings :With directions for
copying them and for determining their dates (6th ed.). Cleveland: C. W. Kuehny.
Parker, J. H. (1881). An introduction to the study of Gothic architecture (6th ed.). Oxford:
Parker.
von Simson, O. G. (1956). The gothic cathedral: Origins of gothic architecture and the medieval
concept of order. New York: Pantheon Books.
Databases
ARTstor (n.d.) ARTstor [electronic]. New York, NY: artstor.org. Available through SU library
subscription.
Internet Resources
Cathedrale Notre Dame Paris. (2010). Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
Gothic art and architecture. (2010). Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.gothic-architecture.com/
King's College Cambridge. (n.d.) Chapel. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/index.html
Martindale, A. H. R. (n.d.). Gothic art and architecture. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from
http://history-world.org/gothic_art_and_architecture.htm