GOTHIC
EUROPE
GARDNER CHAPTER 18-2
PP. 469-477
THE GOTHIC
CATHEDRAL

The great cathedrals erected
throughout Europe in the 12th and
13th centuries are the enduring
symbols of the Gothic age

Towering structures

These buildings are a unique
expression of medieval faith

The “recipe” for Gothic cathedrals =
1. rib vaults w/pointed arches
2. flying buttresses
3. stained-glass windows
CHARTRES, AFTER 1194

Aerial view of Chartres Cathedral,
France, as rebuilt after 1194

Construction of urban cathedrals
often lasted for decades/centuries

Financing depended on
collections and public
contributions -> lack of funding
and unforeseen events often
interrupted building

Rebuilt/post 1194 Chartres is
considered the first High Gothic
building
 The Chartres plan, in which a single
square in each aisle flanks a single
rectangular unit in the nave with a
four part vault, became the norm
for High Gothic
 Interior of Chartres Cathedral -> Chartres becomes a
model for High Gothic churches -> tripartite elevation
of nave arcade, triforium, and clerestory w/extremely
tall stained-glass windows
CHARTRES,
STAINED
GLASS

Virgin and Child and angels, detail
of a window in the choir of Chartres
Cathedral, France, ca. 1170, 16” full
height

Purpose of these windows was not to
illuminate the interior w/bright
sunlight but to transform light into lux
nova/new light

Frontal composition of Mary and
Child -> she is the beautiful, young,
rather worldly Queen of Heaven ->
compare this w/the Theotokos
images in Byzantine art – severe and
aloof
STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS

Detail of stained-glass rose window,
north transept Chartres Cathedral,
France, ca. 1220

Stained-glass windows are almost
synonymous w/ Gothic architecture

These do not conceal walls -> they
replace them -> transmit light
instead of reflect light

Transmitting the light of God into the
hearts of the faithful

Costly and labor-intensive to
produce
CHARTRES,
SOUTH TRANSEPT

Saints Martin, Jerome, and Gregory, jamb
statues, Porch of the Confessors, south
transept, Chartres Cathedral

In contrast to the Royal Portal statues, the
south-transept statues have individual
personalities and turn slightly to left or right,
breaking the rigid vertical lines of 12th
century predecessors

(right) Saint Theodore, jamb statue, Porch of
the Martyrs, south transept, Chartres
Cathedral, France, ca. 1230

Although the statue of Saint Theodore is still
attached to a column, the setting no longer
determines the pose -> saint is portrayed
swinging out one hip, as in Greek statuary
AMIENS
CATHEDRAL

Interior of Amiens Cathedral, Amiens,
France, begun 1220

Amiens elevation derived from the High
Gothic formula of Chartres -> even more
elegant -> number and complexity of the
lancet windows in clerestory and triforium
are greater

French Gothic obsession with
constructing taller churches

Self sustaining skeletal architecture ->
nave vaults rise 144 ft. -> choir vault
resembles a canopy suspended from
bundled masts -> sunlight entering from
clerestory windows creates an effect of
buoyant lightness

West façade of Amiens Cathedral,
France, begun 1220

Deep piercing of the Amiens
façade left few surfaces for
decoration -> but sculptors
covered remaining ones
w/colonettes, pinnacles, and
rosettes that nearly dissolve the
structure’s solid core
 Bearded,
benevolent
Gothic image of
Christ
BEAU DIEU

Christ (Beau Dieu), trumeau statue of
central doorway, west façade of
Amiens Cathedral, France, ca. 12201235

Fully modeled figure -> massive
drapery folds cascading from waist

Beau Dieu = Beautiful God -> a
kindly figure who blesses all who
enter the cathedral -> tramples a
lion and dragon symbolizing the evil
forces in the world -> image gives
humankind hope in Salvation
REIMS CATHEDRAL

West façade of Reims Cathedral, Reims,
France, ca. 1225-1290

High Gothic style is carried further
architecturally and sculpturally

Kings’ gallery of statues above the rose
windows -> taller/more ornate frames

Openings in the towers are taller and more
decorated

Pointed arch frames the rose window

Stained-glass windows replace stone relief
sculptures in the tympana
 (right) Annunciation and Visitation, jamb statues of the central
doorway, west façade, Reims Cathedral, France, ca. 1230-1255
 Reims jamb statues are detached from the columns -> classical
naturalistic style and contrapposto postures -> legs bend, knees
press through garments, arms in motion
SAINT-CHAPELLE,
PARIS

Interior of the upper chapel, SaintChapelle, Paris, France, 1243-1248

Wall dissolving High Gothic
architectural style

Masterpiece of the
RAYONNANT(radiant) style of the
High Gothic age -> the style of royal
Parisian court of King Louis IX

¾’s of the structure is stained-glass ->
each window is 49 feet high and 15
feet wide