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
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.
Gothic Art
Flying Buttresses
1)
2)
3)
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.
Gothic Art
Flying Buttresses
Gothic Art
Stained-Glass Windows
1)
2)
3)
4)
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
Gothic Art
Stained-Glass Windows
Gothic Art
Interior
Designs of Gothic Churches
1)
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
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.
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
Gothic Art
Cathedral of Chartres
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
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
Gothic Art
Gothic
Sculptures/Sculptural
Decorations
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.
1)
2)
Tympanums were very important to
the architectural designs of both
Romanesque and Gothic churches.
During the Romanesque period and
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?
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
1) 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)
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.
Gothic Art
Gargoyles
**Grotesque flying monsters that project out from the upper
proportions of the huge churches.
1)
These were considered one of the
most interesting sculptural
features of Gothic Cathedrals.
2)
They were used as rain spouts,
intended to carry rainwater from
the roof of the churches.
3)
They were made of carved stone or
cast metal.
Gothic Art
Gargoyles
Gothic Art
1)
2)
3)
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.
Gothic Art
Illustrated Books
**A great example of this would be:
1)
These illustrations were placed in
architectural frames which
resembled the frames used for
stained-glass windows.
2)
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.
3)
These illuminations were painted
Gothic Art
Illustrated Books
*There was a specific illumination
style that emerged during the
Gothic Period called The
International Style.
1)
2)
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
Gothic Art
The International Style.
1)
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
Gothic Art
The International Style.
1)
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.
Gothic Art
“Book of Hours”
Gothic Art
Italian Church Paintings
1)
2)
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
Gothic Art
Duccio de Buoninsegna.
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
1)
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
Gothic Art
Maesta Altarpiece
Gothic Art
Giotto di Bondone(1266-1337)
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.
1)
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.
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
Gothic Art
Lamentation Pieta”