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Alex Goodwin
ARTH 2710
Tue, Thu
Professor Carney
Analyzing Gothic Cathedrals
Gothic in the earliest use of the word refers to a special kind of ugliness of
medieval art in comparison to Gothic barbarian tribes. In the 19th century, it was
then used to categorize works of art. The study of Gothic art is still intriguingly
popular and is a sought after study to this day. The dark, creepy yet mysterious
things that make up Gothic cathedrals catch the eye of many
Architecture and engineering are key parts in the creation of gothic
cathedrals. This in turn made for a very unique artistic structure. The cathedral has
to be built in a specific fashion. This is done solely for the reason of supporting the
extremely heavy ceiling. Development of ribbed vaults, thin walls, and flying
buttresses which are a type of brace but on the exterior of the cathedral to relieve
outward pressure. This resulted in the Architects and Engineers being able to build
these cathedrals extremely larger then those before them.
Gothic Cathedrals are known for their extreme amount of detail. As well as
the uniqueness of detail. One decoration that is more obvious would be the creative
use of the flying buttresses. A great example being the world famous gargoyles
buttresses of Notre-Dame. Adding furthermore was actually designed for water run
off.
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The main difference between Gothic Cathedrals and Early Christian
architecture is the sensation or ambient feeling the structure gives off. For example
comparing Saint Sernin to Notre-Dame. Sernin gives off a sense of heaviness,
somewhat lifeless, and quite frankly a bit trite. Notre-Dame has a completely
opposite ambience about it. Even just looking at a picture of it you can tell it is
flaunting, mind boggling, eerie, as well as impalpable
Gothic Cathedrals are undoubtedly the most intriguing of all. Though many
others have special traits of their own Gothic Cathedrals visually, spark a greater
interest when seen. The everlasting slight dark presence also interests not only the
body and mind but the spirit as well
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Cited Works
Toman, Rolf. The Art of Gothic: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting. Köln: Könemann, 1999. Print.
. Scott, Robert A. The Gothic Enterprise a Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral. Berkeley: U of
California, 2003. Print.
Wilson, Christopher. The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church, 1130-1530, with 220
Illustrations. New York, N.Y. (500 5th Ave., New York): Thames and Hudson, 1990. Print.