Royal Portals Of The Chartres Cathedral

This majestic cathedral decorated the land of Paris, dominating both the history of architecture as well as religion history. The cathedral still stands proudly after enduring an eventful history over many centuries. Truly a fascinating historic building to behold, ‘Our Lady of Paris’, another term for Notre-Dame of Paris, portrays many diversified characteristics which will help identify a structure as Gothic. One may lay eyes upon this building and refer it to one of Gothic’s grand structure. For many, their first concept of Gothic architecture derives from some reference to this majestic construction. In this research, I shall consider the following questions as an approach to appreciate and comprehend Notre Dame de Paris’s architectural aesthetic and value better:

While the Contrasts focused and differences and similarities between the two historical periods, Pugin’s next book True Principles focused on the Gothic as being a true Christian architecture (Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.128).

Near the end of the 11th century, we see the style of Romanesque architecture transfigure into what is known as the Gothic era, introduced by Abbot Suger during his rebuilding of the Abbey of St. Denis. Looking at the basilica of St. Sernin de Toulouse (1080-1120), named after the bishop who was apprehended by the former Pagan priest when Christianity was illegal, we can see the basilica is itself in shape of the cross. There are also five aisles, to suggest the five wounds of Christ, five entryways (Soltes, 12, 3:25). The most notable difference between a Romanesque church and a Gothic one can be seen in the arches. Gothic arches, ogives they’re named, are pointed instead of rounded, giving a new criss-cross pattern, as exampled in the Chartres Cathedral (12th century) (Soltes, 12, 10:40). New patterns can also be found in the buttressing, where instead of holding the framework directly through the walls, the Gothic structure works from the roof and down as if flying away, coining the term the flying buttresses (Soltes, 12, 11:15). This sort of buttressing is competent for

The Chartres Cathedral was known as a popular pilgrimage because it serves as the most beautiful cathedral in France. It has the western architecture and the pointed arches, flying buttresses and so many stained glass rose windows and sculptures. This cathedral is recognized for its stained-glass windows. Direct light does not enter the building and that sends out an intense spiritual feeling. Light is only filtered thought the windows. “The interior of the Chartres cathedral is remarkable. The nave, wider that of any other cathedral in France (52

‘Building without teaching and explaining is almost useless’, Pugin stated, to stress out the importance of writing about architecture. In his written works, he strongly attacked the era or Reformation and Protestantism saying that ‘men must learn that the period hitherto called dark and ignorant far excelled our age and wisdom …’ (Pugin, 2003(1842) pp16-17, in Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.120) and looked down on the neo-classicism of his time (Figure 4.7, Richardson, McKellar, Woods, 2008, p.123). In his book ‘Contrasts’; he called the current classic style a ‘decay of taste’. In the book, he used plates which contrasted the Middle Ages, 14th and 15th Century, with 19th Century. In one example, he presented the Middle Age chapel in all its glory and with a focus on the beautiful altar, while the 19th Century chapel looks more like a theatre and as though it lacks the spiritual feel (Plate 2.4.7, Illustration book, p. 64). The former one highly resembles the St. Chad’s cathedral that Pugin designed later on in life (Introduction, St Chad’s and Religious Art, 2009). The two styles of chapels also meant different functioning – while the central plan of the Protestant Church put the preacher in the middle and surrounded with

This cathedral is important because it has changed the way that many people look at architecture by looking at new architectural features, structural defeats and architect’s modesty. “In 1194, the master-builder of Chartres outlined new principles which would inspire all the great architects of the 13th century…”—Chartres cathedral had “established several new architectural features never seen before (flying buttresses and the arches used) and pioneered new techniques for construction at high elevations above ground (…war machines… into hoisting cranes).” This would later change some of the

Evidence of these structures influence are found in Dodd Hall’s construction. The Abbey Church of Saint Denis became the prototype for future buildings in the of northern France. A large medieval abbey church in the commune of Saint Denis is renowned for its Gothic architecture. Although built of stone as opposed to brick like Dodd Hall, the dark Romanesque structure, with its thick walls and small window openings, was built in what is now referred to as the French Gothic style. In this style, wall area is reduced to an absolute minimum. As seen in The Heritage Museum, nee Werkmeister Humanities Reading Room, solid masonry was is replaced with vast window openings filled with brilliant stained glass. This element allows for open, illuminated spaces in the

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 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.

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.

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).

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 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

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

Gothic art flourished from the 12th century to the 16th century in Europe in response of the Byzantine and Romanesque tradition. Although Gothic is associated with arts, its most prominent use is in architecture, mainly for its pointed arch and flying buttress. To this day, the Gothic style is taken as a ‘label’ for visual arts such as concept art designs, yet the meaning stray from the original context, thus becoming rarely accurate.