There are few things as beautiful and striking at looking up at a stained glass window with the sun light shining through and illuminating the vibrant and jewel tone colors of the individual pieces of glass that make up the window. During the 12th and 13th centuries, there was an explosion in the number of stained glass windows created for churches through out Europe and Britain. Of both Romanesque and Gothic design, the proliferation of stained glass was a result of a variety of causes. The evolution of of the technical techniques needed to create stained glass windows, architectural advancements and religious needs and desires all contributed to the growth of stained glass during the 1100s and 1200s. Stained glass is glass that is colored or stained by metallic oxides or glass that have been painted on and then fused in a kiln. To produce a stained glass window, the artisan would first draw a life sized sketch or cartoon of the window. The glass itself was made by combining sand and potash at temperatures around 3000 degrees. While the glass was still molten, it was colored by adding small amounts of metallic oxide powders. Copper oxides produced green or blue-green shades, cobalt would create a deep, rich blue and gold was used to produce a red-wine or violet colored glass. The colored molten glass would then be blown and flattened into sheets. After the glass had cooled, the artisan would place the pieces on the cartoon of the window and crack the glass into roughly
Otto von Simson, The Gothic cathedral: origins of Gothic architecture and the medieval concept of order (New York: Pantheon Books, 1956), 21-39.
As soon as I gazed upon the church I noticed it had a very decorative Romanesque feel to it. The main facade of the church was decorated with a lot of pilasters around the windows, roof, portals, and above the central portal where the tympanum lies. This church has a very well done tympanum that depicts a priest standing in the middle of a farm with hills and trees around the edges, there is also a farmer in the background with the sun setting. Unlike a Gothic church, this church has very rounded arches above every portal and is very rounded all throughout except for the pointed roof. Left of the main facade is a big clock tower which looks to be a couple meters taller than the main facade. Four clocks lie at the very top of each side of the
• in addition to stained glass, medieval artisans produced wonderful textiles as well as works in stone, metal, and wood
The Cathedral was a symbol of authority and religious achievement to people of the Middle Ages. Both Romanesque and Gothic style cathedrals are monuments to the skill and creativity of medieval people. Upon entering a Romanesque or Gothic style cathedral, one would have noticed that the function of these houses of worship is very similar. They are each an urban religious center in which priests conducted masses. Upon further examination of the sculptures and the different structures that embody them, one would have found that they differ quite dramatically.
When Abbot Suger created the Gothic style he had in mind to create a church to pay respects to God by illuminating light with stained glass.
The interior design of Medieval Churches were structured in the shape of a cross, and consisted of giant walls of glass that allowed a luminous effect to enter the
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 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 process of glassblowing can be a long but rewarding process. Many different things can be made ranging from a simple Christmas ornament, to a work of art. Glassblowers use many different techniques and tools to aid them in their jobs. Glassblowing is not an easy job, it requires knowledge in what you’re doing and the skill to not harm yourself or others.
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.
We’re looking at the difference between Romanesque cathedrals and Gothic cathedrals. I know you all are so excited to learn what a flying buttress is because I know I was. Spoiler alert, it is nothing like what it sounds like. It’s much more cool and innovative, which is what these two periods were all about. Taking knowledge from the past and improving it.
Stained glass has played a major role in reflecting Christianity’s beliefs because of the multitude of uses it has in a church. Stained glass windows are used in Christianity to represent and provide a visual picture for the Bible and the lives of Saints. The windows also serve the church by letting light from outside in. According to members of the Gothic church, when the light enters through the stained glass it becomes divine light and is the light of God. The divine light in the church symbolized the spirit of God. Because stories were depicted
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
One of the most used materials in human history is glass or more specifically silicate glass. Although some types of glasses are called crystal glass, glass is actually an amorphous solid and does not have a crystal structure. It is used in all walks of life ranging from homes to automobiles to laboratories. Historically, the one of the first types of glass that was used by humans to make tools and weapons was the volcanic glass known as obsidian. As for manmade glass, the earliest accounts date back to 5000 BC in the middle east. Primitive methods of glass making were used until about 100BC, when glassblowing was believed to be discovered. This discovery made glass products popular in the Roman Empire since the development of glassblowing allowed glass production to be more efficient and thus less expensive. As the centuries went on more techniques were developed which eventually lead to glass products being widespread. This paper will discuss some of the methods of glass production throughout history, the types of silicate glass, and the different ways that glass can be colored.