Gothic Architecture Of Le�n Cathedral

The Cathedral and Everyday use were both enlightening and intriguing stories. Written by two renowned authors and differs in numerous ways, set out to explain and disseminate its readers to dissimilar characters and themes. Whether fiction, non-fiction, there were meaningful lessons learned from reading both stories. The Cathedral is a story about two friends, a blind man Robert and his female friend who reunited after ten years, even though they communicated by sending tapes and poems. While Everyday use was a story about a woman who had two daughters, Maggie and Dee, with two different personalities. Maggie, who lives at home with her mom was shy and scar by burns she had sustained from a house fire, while her eldest sister

In this excerpt, von Simson looks at how the writings of intellectuals influenced the development of Gothic architecture. He begins by looking at the writings of St. Augustine and his love for music and how the importance of measurement found in music also applies to architecture. He then goes on to address two important schools of thought that influenced the formation of the Gothic style: The Platonists with their focus on cosmology, and the monks at Clairvaux, including St. Bernard, who focused on spirituality. In this section, von Simson focuses on the former and the connection between the cosmos and the Gothic cathedral. He argues that these medieval scholars saw God as an architect and the cosmos as his cathedral. In his study of both St. Augustine and the Plantonists, von Simson works to identify the ways in which these intellectual schools of thought influenced Gothic architecture.

Religion has always been a part of our identity. Today, the population wander around the world seeing these wonderful churches and religious buildings all around us. The architectural style of the Middle Ages was very prominent: high stone vaults, internal elevations of multiple stories, rounded arches, and thick walls. This was characterized as Romanesque architecture. Suger revolutionized everything. He reworked these ideas and introduced, to the world, what is now known as the Gothic architectural style.

All of the above are the characteristics that the Gothic Architecture presented during that period. Now days, some of the main concepts are being taken and applied to modern buildings such as the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels, also known as the Cathedral of Los Angeles. It was design by the Spanish Architect José Rafael Moneo (1937-present). In 1996, he was appointing

Gothic Style is some of the most beautiful works of art that man have ever made. It originated with the Romanesque style of building which lasted for about one hundred years before it was replaced by Gothic styles. The founder of the Gothic style was a man by the name of Abbot Suger. Notre Dame de Chartres cathedral was built in France between 1145 and 1513 and is Gothic architecture. Another Gothic architecture is the Bourges and it is located in Bourges France. Both of these works of art are very similar with many different features.

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).

The Gothic style, dating between the 12th century and 16th century, began in France and eventually spread throughout the rest of Europe. An example of the first true Gothic church was St. Denis of Paris. Now, it is considered one of our finest artistic periods, but at the time, the term “gothic” did not exactly hold the same meaning it does today. The name came from the Goths and was used rather negatively when describing this style of architecture as they considered it to be similar to the works of the barbarians from which the name was derived.

At a point in history a lot of moors occupied a great portion of Spain and they created some beautiful architecture with a Spanish twist to it which includes the great mosque of Cordoba which has a church embedded in it. Throughout history the Spanish architecture has been shaped by the changing trends in Europe. In the start of the 12th century the gothic style was introduced which greatly influenced the styles in the buildings like the cathedral of Toledo, Burgos and Leon. The renaissance trend in Europe greatly influenced the Spanish architecture. Spanish architectures were not just about buildings they were also a means of communication. Each architecture that was created reflected the community’s values, pursuits and culture. Each Spanish building erected showed the dominance of a cultural group in the community and the geographical area it was erected in showed the extent of their power and dominance. Such buildings often bore an identifying sign for example the sign of a church was different from that of a mosque. The church’s sign was significantly that of a cross while that of a mosque bore that of a crescent moon and a star and it signified the significance or dominance of a religious group or cultural group in that area. The middle ages were an exciting period in the history of Spanish architecture and it was at that time there was the entrance of the moors which means Muslim in Spanish. And there was a clash between Muslims and Christians in that time of history. At that time the Christians and Muslims emerged their cultures together to form the Mozarabic architecture. It was not uncommon to see a church being converted to a mosque and vice versa. The great church of Cordoba with a church embedded in it was a good opportunity to see how Christians and Muslims saw their relationship with

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

The Gothic style was an over exaggerated, awe-inspiring attempt to become closer to God. The worshipper was not only drawn to the altar, but experienced an ascent to heaven at the same time.1 These artistic gems are a grand testament to historical technology and the imaginative approach and vision of skilled craftsmen. The gothic style is one of the most

After Charlemagne’s death in 814, a terrible and dark period of cultural decline and terror ensued. It took a long time for the terror to end and the conquerors of various parts of Charlemagne’s empire to come together and create conditions for peace. With that peace came the Romanesque architecture movement. Now it can be hard to distinguish what exactly Romanesque architecture was

Fire is viewed as destruction by many, but it helped to produce growth in Gothic architecture. Many of Christianity’s beliefs are reflected in different aspects of art. The stained glass and verticality of Gothic churches is a key change from Romanesque style churches. The Gothic church found creative ways to illustrate images of important events in history through tapestry. Even the general shape and design of the Romanesque churches versus Gothic churches show Christians values. The sculptures outside of churches have evolved over time to correspond with Christian’s beliefs of Homo faber. The change in design of Romanesque churches to the new architecture of Gothic style churches shows how Christian’s incorporated their religion into churches. Christianity’s beliefs and values are directly reflected through the changes of architecture and style from Romanesque to Gothic churches along with visual and literary art.

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