Gothic Architecture: Ruskin's Influence on Britain

Turner, was born in London, England on April 23, 1775. His artistic career began when he was sent to live with his uncle in rural England due to the fact he was often sick. Turner was known as a landscape painter who brought luminance and romantic imagery to his works of art. He originally began using a realistic style when painting, which ultimately moved towards something more fluent and poetic in nature. This is why he is considered a predecessor to Impressionism.

Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “Every great architecture is-necessarily-a great poet. He must be a great original interpreter of his time, his day, his age.” In other words, movements of architecture become movements because of individuals who fabricate their own new styles. Wright states this by saying every architecture reflects his/her time period with originality.Throughout history there have been many great architectures who have worked in many different styles of architecture, such as Gothic, Byzantine, Craftsmen, and Prairie. Many architectural styles such as Romanesque and Gothic went from being a style of architecture to defining a whole period in history. For example, the Craftsmen style of architecture, which originated from the Arts and Crafts movement, went on to define that time in history. Frank Lloyd Wright and the Greene brothers both have exquisite styles of architecture with many similarities and differences in which they pioneered themselves. Wright and the Greene brothers both share similar ideals of architecture in which can be found in their different styles today.

The Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval era, though scarred with a history of violence and war, has given the world some of the most marvelous and beautiful pieces of art, particularly in architecture. The Middle Ages is the name given to the time period from the late 5th century to the 15th century, particular to European history. The construction of these types of buildings was a constant for various cultures for a thousand years. They can be categorized into three phases; Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Gothic. The most important buildings during medieval times were religious, defensive and governmental or power related.

The history of Architecture started long time ago. The nomadic were groups of people whom move from one place to another in order find shelter and food to survive. As they progress, their techniques to survive evolve. The need for a permanent shelter became vital for a better stability of the group. This is the time when the first structures that provided protection appeared. Post and lintel were the first forms of Architecture, that satisficed the basic needs. Architecture evolved to be more sophisticated and fulfill the people’s needs. Consequently, Architecture evolved throughout different periods such as: Ancient architecture, Romanesque, The medieval, Renaissance, Early modern, and the industrial age, Modernism and Contemporary

In this essay I am aim to explore Pugin’s dissent from tradition through his ideas, inspiration, and his most important works and their meaning. To dissent from tradition is to defy a stultifying tradition or convention, which leads to new, daring styles (Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.109). The ‘traditional’ architectural style in the early 19th Century, in Great Britain was classicism, inspired by ancient Greece and associated with democracy as well as with the French revolution (Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p. 112). Pugin, called this classical style ‘the new square style’ (Figure 4.7, in Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.123) and argued that it lacked authenticity of Great Britain (Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.

Early Britain was an era of take overs and violence , overall it was a time of darkness , but despite the darkness this Anglo-Saxon era was a time filled with a new culture and government . Anglo-Saxons came to Britain sometime during AD 425-450 and lasted until 1066 . When the Romans left Britain , new settlement began . With the new population in Britain , there was a need for housing too , the Anglo-Saxon architecture however , did not start until the mid-fifth century . Anglo-Saxon architecture is a different style than modern architecture .

Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that evolved from Romanesque architecture and thrived in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages. During the 13th and 14th centuries, Gothic architecture was known as opus modernum ("modern work") with the term Gothic first appearing during the latter part of the Renaissance. “The Gothic Cathedral was the unique product of an era of peace and widespread economic prosperity, deep spirituality, and extraordinary technological innovation.” (Kleiner 365) The Gothic style brought innovative new construction techniques that allowed churches and other buildings to reach great heights. The rib vault, flying buttress, and pointed (Gothic) arch were used as solutions to the problem of building a very tall structure while preserving as much natural light as possible. Light streamed through stained-glass window panels which became illuminated visual sermons of biblical stories. Gothic Cathedrals were considered by clergy and the public as “glorious images of the City of God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, which they were privileged to build on earth. There were simultaneous developments in Gothic architecture in the major regions of France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire.

Alexander Jackson Davis was one of America’s leading figure in American architecture. Davis designed state capitals, colleges, several hospitals, a prison, and a number of houses which ranged from humble gatekeeper’s lodges to elaborate country villas (“Donoghue, John Cornelius.”) He introduced and developed new ideas and forms and was inspired by many styles from the past, including ancient Egypt, classical forms of Greece, and picturesque medieval England. In the 1830’s, Davis became best known for his work in the picturesque style, relating the houses to their landscape settings and opening up the

Gothic architecture a new style developing from an old style of architecture with similar characteristics and in a way different. Architects wanted to build bigger buildings with stronger walls something that could not be found elsewhere. The old buildings did not have windows they were dark places that in order to get light they needed many candles. Not even the candles could give the right amount of light the buildings needed. The middle ages architects wanted big windows on the buildings and this new style made their wish come true. Architecture during the Middle Ages became a new style with new problems to solve and a new kind of extraordinary buildings to build.

The Romanesque and Gothic architecture period both occurred during the Middle Ages with the Gothic period taking place during the later half. Gothic and Romanesque architecture were related in many ways, but they also contrasted in style too. Over time, masons began to test the waters and push the limits. They thought of new ways to add lighting and ways to allow more height to the building without it being to heavy and weak. Many of the reasons for the change in styles had a lot to do with society and the changes it faced. There was a greater intensity occurring in piety and literature. The Gothic style embodied this new urban society. Romanesque and Gothic shared similar characteristics, but Gothic architecture was a greater departure

The “Five Points of Modern Architecture” was a manifesto for architecture written in 1926 by Charles-Edouard Jeanerette – better known as Le Corbusier - emphasizing what he believed were five principles that any building meant to be modern should have. One building which exemplifies each of these points is Corbusier’s own Villa Savoye, built 1929-31 in Poissy, France. Corbusier’s first point of modern architecture is known as inclusion of ‘pilotis’. Pilotis refers to Corbusier’s innovative idea of a vertical support system used to hold the horizontal planes of a structure. In Villa Savoye, this can be clearly seen in both interior and exterior by the rounded pillars holding up the floors and roof, essentially elevating the home and

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.

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