Gothic Architecture Research Paper

As seen in the cathedral of Salisbury, English Gothic architecture used smaller, symmetrical towers. There stained glass windows were wider than the French architecture. They tended to use fan vaulting rather than rib vaulting. An example of this type of English architecture would be the Salisbury Cathedral.

It's critical that Gothic engineering was fundamentally given to the working of religious abodes. Gothic design is known for the utilization of curves that point strongly upward and flying supports, which allude to structures that hold up substantial dividers. Flying braces make the rich, vertical upward line of Gothic engineering and take into account bigger windows, which Gothic specialists used to showcase splendid recolored glass windows. Renaissance engineering included more Romanesque structures (fabricating a home around a yard, for instance), regularly based around circles rather than the vertical, upward development of Gothic design. In the Renaissance, figure was much more imperative than engineering. Figures, for example, Michelangelo's David demonstrated amazing naturalism and a grasp of the bare human

types of arch designs that are commonly found within Gothic architecture are the lancet arch, which is simply a steeply pointed arch, the equilateral arch, the flamboyant arch and the depressed arch as seen in the King’s College Chapel. (see figure 5) Due to the new design of supporting the weight of the ceiling through the columns and flying buttresses, there was no need for walls made of heavy materials. With all the columns and archways in place, the structure took on a skeletal look. This gave way to expanding the once small openings for windows to an expanse of window space providing plenty of light to the interior of the structure. This space was commonly filled with stained glass. From this, stained glass

The New Cathedral is a prime example of Gothic architecture. Much of the cathedral is covered

Gothic Cathedral, while most notable for its pointed arches, stained-glass windows, slendered piers, and flying buttresses, is also recognized by its lancets, rose windows, and triforiums, as well as other identifiers. Although most Gothic architects of the great cathedrals are unknown, those that we do know have a sense of fame attached to them and all those who worked on these grand projects. In reference, unlike “Romanesque”, whose name derives from modern architectural historians, the term Gothic was originally used in a derogatory manner by 16th Century Italian architect, Giorgio Vasari who viewed the style as “monstrous and barbarous,” accrediting its ugliness to the barbaric Goths, who are held accountable for the collapse of Rome and the break in classical art and architecture. However, during the 12th and 13th century the term “Gothic” was never used to describe the style of the time, instead it was quickly referred to as “opus francigenum” meaning “French work” or simply “opus modernum” meaning “modern work.” While Giorgio’s view resembles that of renaissance artist Lorenzo Ghiberti, of the previous century, most late medieval and modern views consider the Gothic era a high point in history for Western art and architecture.

Durham Cathedral is one of the oldest examples of Romanesque architecture present in England today. Although the cathedral was completed in the early 12th century there are signs of Gothic architecture present due to the close relation of Romanesque and Gothic styles. In Robert Scott's book The Gothic Enterprise he discusses how the early Gothic style pulled heavily from the Romanesque style of architecture and built upon it's basic themes. Durham Cathedral's extensive history shows how the church's style of architecture remains mainly Romanesque, but has impressions of other styles due to renovations in different eras.

In 1919, the Bryn Athyn Cathedral was dedicated, but the construction on the building continued on until 1929, with the exception of the stained-glass windows which were not completed until around 1940. "The design was based on Gloucester Cathedral in England and is immense" (Architect Design).  As I stood in awe of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, from the southern direction, it is quite a sight to behold, with its lofty, square-shaped, double-bayed, pinnacled Gothic tower rising from the crossing to the nave. The crossing is the space in which the transept traverses the nave along the cathedral's main axis. The stone facades of the cathedral are dark in color, which distinguish it from the embellished window and door surrounds, made of limestone. The roof is made of a type of nickel called, Monel, which is a corrosion-resistant nickel-copper alloy and the metal of choice, because it is known for its exceptional strength. The slender pinnacles, which are pointed towers, cap the buttressed masonry walls. Five-pointed clerestory windows, decorated with detailed tracery, along with the exquisite south portal and lancet windows of the transept above the lower chapel are magnificently, appointed Gothic features of this cathedral. Another Gothic feature is the west façade of the Bryn Athyn cathedral which features three arches or portals, demonstrating the Gothic style, as well as, ornamental pinnacles that intensify upwards from the masonry piers.

This remarkable improvement in methods indicates the fresh importation of skills from the East and this applies not merely to England but to all Western Europe at that time (“The Flowering” 88). Into three main phases the development of architecture through the period may be divided. The elements of Gothic style and their gradual elaboration over a period of rather more than a century came first at the opening of the 12th century. After the year 1000 there was a fully coordinated Gothic art particularly marked by the invention of windows with baltracy, Jean d’ Orbais probably used it first at Rheims cathedral during the generation following 1211, why the east end was begun. A century followed with classic poise in which an international architecture reached its peak and produce perfect forms of castle and palace, cathedrals enriched with painting patterned tiles, figure sculpture and stained glass (“The Flowering” 92).

These characteristics contrasted with the style of Gothic architecture. With the new Gothic style, the walls were thinner. Masons worked towards a more artistic look. Unlike the Romanesque style, which had few windows, Gothic architecture had many.

I also thought it was interesting to learn that the abbey church of Saint Dennis was the first introduction of Gothic architecture. Another interesting thing that I wanted to point out was, that many of the churches, including the abbey church of Saint Dennis and the Chartres Cathedral, "had lengthy construction histories" (Kleiner 379). But, one church, in particular, had a fairly quick construction time frame. The Laon Cathedral, pictured below, is an example of a church that began construction around 1160 and the construction was quickly completed, by 1200. Besides, Gothic architectural features, the Laon Cathedral also demonstrates some Romanesque features, including, "nave bays with large sexpartite rib vaults" (Kleiner 379). The textbook

Gothic was first used as a term of contempt during the late renaissance. The Goth's were barbarians- which leads to many theories as to why "Goth" was the chosen title for a style that required extreme engineering as well as technical and artistic know how. Since then vast efforts have been made to rename the style with a term that better encompasses the idea of gothic style.

Gothic architecture began in the 12th century and continued well into the 16th century as an attempt to reconcile Christian theology with Greek philosophy. Gothic architecture was deeply rooted in the previous architectural genre, the Romanesque, but architects this time around no longer desired to recapture the ‘classical’ and ‘antique’. If we focus on the Gothic cathedral, we’ll find that a Gothic cathedral had a unified and unbroken space that included the apse, rather than separating them like the Romanesque architects did. The main characteristics of Gothic style cathedrals included the groin-vault. Barrel-vaults had become too difficult to make and too heavy to install and so the Gothic architects decided to pull away from them and utilize groin-vaults instead. The ribs in the groin-vaults were conveniently aligned to form a diamond pattern on the ceilings. Atop these vaults was the second main characteristic of

Known for its pointed arches, flying buttresses, and detailed tracery, Gothic architecture emerged in 12th-century northern France, and the style continued into the 16th century . Gothic architecture was called, Opus Francigenum ("French work"), during the time. The term Gothic, first appearing during the late part of the Renaissance period. Gothic Architecture is wonderful on its own, how detailed, and ornate a concrete building can be finished with colorful stained-glass windows. The famous architects helped to create these building masterpieces of the century, and that became popular in other countries around the world, and still today. One of the towering achievements in the world architecture, the unique product of an era of peace, and widespread economic prosperity, deep spiritually, and extraordinary technological innovations.

The research paper, shall be concerned with discussion Gothic architecture in Europe-namely England, France, Germany, and Italy starting from 12th to the 16th Centuries. Architecture was the most original and lasting form of art during the Gothic Period, which lasted for four centuries starting from the mid 12th century. The impetus for this architecture was the Roman Catholic Church, which sought to portray their houses of worship as something which transcended the realm of mankind. It is interesting to note that many of the Northern European areas were predominately pagan, and only recently brought into the Church. The imagery provided by Gothic structural design was something these peoples could more readily understand, as they

Has the Gothic style influenced the building completely or only part of it? If it was only partially influenced, what may be the other influence that affected the design of the structure?