Sana Siddiqi

Professor Backer

ARTS 1303-5001

26 March 2025

Gothic architecture, an introduction

Video Notes

● Come back and do later

Text Notes

● Original Gothic style developed to bring sunshine into people's lives and their churches.

● The Goths were a so-called barbaric tribe who held power in various parts of Europe.

○ Between collapse of Roman Empire and establishment of the Holy Roman

Empire

○ Roughly 5th to 8th century

● Gothic architecture style grew out of Romanesque architectural style.

● Gothic architecture built from 1000 to 1400.

● Most fundamental element of Gothic style is the pointed arch, likely borrowed from

islamic architecture.

● Ribbed vaulting is another distinguishing feature.

○ From Romanesque style buildings

● Early Gothic or Lancet style

○ 12th to 13th century

○ Developed into Decorated or Rayonnant Gothic

■ 14th Century
 ○ Stonework that held the windows called tracery

○ Ribbed vaulting became more complicated and was crossed with lierne ribs into

complex webs

○ Cross ribs called tiercernon

● Perpendicular or International Gothic took over in 15th century

● Slender columns and lighter systems of Gothic architecture buildings allowed for larger

windows and more light.

● In Late Gothic almost every surface is decorated.

● After the Gothic era ended, taste shifted back to symmetry and geometry in the Classical

era.

● It was in the Renaissance that the name Gothic came to be applied to this medieval style

that seemed vulgar but everyone since then has called it that with or without the insult.

○ I wonder what this style of art and architecture was called during its time instead

of Gothic.

Birth of the Gothic: Abbot Suger and the ambulatory at St.Denis

● Basilica of Saint-Denis

● Birthplace of Gothic

● 1140-44

● Burial place of the royal families

● There was already a 9th century church here. Sugar initially felt that it was inadequate as

the burial place of the kings because at this time the King of France only controlled the

Ile-de-France, the area immediately around Paris.

● Meant to represent the expansion of the king's power (growing power of the monarch).
 ○ He did this by deviating from the typical style used at the time. It was common to

have chapels as separate rooms with walls around but Sugar instead opened up the

space and allowed light to flood in.

○ He then replaced the walls with colored glass

● He did it through the use of pointed arches. Complex webs of interlocking pointed

vaulting.

○ Because a pointed arch doesn't push so much out as it does down. That's why the

architect didn't need thick walls.

● In Romanesque style buildings you would feel a sense of rootedness because the

buildings felt so solid and your eyes were always drawn around that rounded arch back

down, feeling a sense of gravity.

● Abbot Suger believed the use of light would create a sense of otherworldliness.

● Sugar thought he was reading the writings of Saint Denis, the patron saint of this church

but he was instead reading a philosopher from the 6th century.

○ Important part is that he took the divinity of light from that writing and made it

practical.

● Sugar opened those walls and allowed light to create a type of thinking on the part of the

visitors where they would move from the contemplation of the light to God.

● Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: “We have to get rid of all the decorations, we have to get rid

of everything that distracts us.”

● Sugar: “No, in fancy, we can transport people.”

○ This reminds of Iconoclasm, an era in Christianity referring to the destruction and

opposition to religious images (icons), often for political or religious reasons.

that it leads to idolatry. Iconophiles were those who supported the use of icons

with the main point being that they were a legitimate way to represent and

venerate holy figures and events. Saint Bernard argues that decoration in

Churches is bad and should be rid of while Abbot Suger argues that no, it can be

used to venerate Christ and His Holy Body.

Cathedral of Notre de Chartres

● In Chartres, an hour from paris

● Important pilgrimage site in the Middle ages due to the relic of the Virgin Mary’s tunic.

● Blend of Early and High Gothic Styles

● Survived fire in 1194, then a new High Gothic church was built

● West face (pre-fire, early Gothic): simple, with small windows and Romanesque features

like rounded arches.

● Sculptural program on portals:

● Left Tympanum: Christ before Incarnation (out of time).

● Center Tympanum: Second Coming (end of time).

● Right Tympanum: Life of Virgin Mary (time on earth).

● Emphasis on symbolism and theology across time

● Jamb Figures: Old Testament kings and prophets

● South transept (High Gothic)

● Flying buttresses supported walls from outside allowing for even more stained glass

○ Aimed to recreate divine through light

The Cathedral of Notre-dame, Paris

● Chartres France

● Dates to mid-12th century (before 1194 fire).

● Style: Early Gothic with Romanesque influences (small windows, rounded arches).

● Built of solid limestone with thick walls to support the heavy stone vaulting.

● Structure divided into three vertical and horizontal sections.

● Left Tympanum: Christ before Incarnation (eternal).

● Center Tympanum: Second Coming (end of time).

● Right Tympanum: Life of the Virgin Mary (earthly time).

● Combined, the three tympana represent before, during, and after time.

● Jamb figures (prophets, kings/queens): tall, linear, abstract, column-like — meant to look

divine, not earthly.Plate tracery rose window (stone dominates, few glass divisions).

● Three sculpted portals with:

Example of early Gothic sculpture: spiritual, not naturalistic.

○ I think it's a mix of both because these sculptures are depicting those who were

once human. Even if you involve their divine status you're reminded that they are

grounded into mankind and were one with them.

● Has intricate stained glass windows

● Known for surviving original medieval stained glass, especially deep blue (Chartres

blue), red, and gold.

○ “Virgin of the Beautiful Window”: Early Gothic, Mary as Throne of Wisdom,

divine and frontal.

● North Transept Rose Window (High Gothic):

● Features Virgin Mary with Christ Child, doves, angels, kings, prophets.

● Includes Saint Anne holding infant Mary (relic: head of Saint Anne).

● Uses fleur-de-lis, symbol of French monarchy.

● 80 years after the west facade, much more naturalistic.

● Porch projects outward, jamb figures now more independent.

● Saint Theodore: lifelike stance, Gothic sway, 3D drapery folds.

○ Classical influence: resembles ancient Greek/Roman sculpture.

○ Shows transition to High Gothic realism.

○ Not freestanding, but clearly more dynamic than earlier jambs.

Sainte-Chapelle, Paris

● Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel in Paris

● Built by King Louis IX (Saint Louis) in the 13th century

● Located inside the royal palace on the Île de la Cité

● Upper chapel used by the king and court, lower chapel by household

○ Does this resemble a power dynamic in the House of God? I thought that all were

equal in Christianity regardless of royal status, money, or influence. Or does this

only apply to those who have none of those?

● Built to house the Crown of Thorns, a relic from the Passion of Christ

● Louis purchased the relic from the Byzantine emperor

● Relics were believed to perform miracles and connect people to Christ

● The chapel is designed like a reliquary to honor the relic

● Over 75% of the chapel is stained glass

has a deeper connection to Christianity rather than Christian based architecture.

● Light floods the space in golden, red, blue, and purple tones

○ Features soaring lancet windows and a large rose window

● Architecture emphasizes height and delicacy

● Uses ribbed groin vaults and thin colonnettes

● Style is Rayonnant Gothic, focusing on vertical lines and light

○ Rose window above the west door has thin, complex tracery

○ Stained glass shows stories from the Old and New Testaments

● Includes scenes related to the Crown of Thorns

● Apostles sculpted between windows

● Quatrefoils show martyrdoms; angels hold crowns and censers

● The space would have been filled with incense, music, and light

● Stone is nearly invisible due to decoration

● Chapel seems to float due to the thin structure

● The top of the building is shaped like a crown

● Sainte-Chapelle means a chapel in a palace that holds a relic

Saint Louis Bible (Moralized Bible or Bible moralisee)

Video

● Come back and do later

Text

● Blanche of Castile ruled France as regent after her husband King Louis VIII died in 1226
● Faced rebellions, accusations, and warfare but successfully defended the throne until her

son, Louis IX, came of age

○ Louis IX became king in 1234, inheriting a stable kingdom

● Blanche likely commissioned a lavish moralized Bible to educate and guide Louis IX

○ The manuscript includes illustrations of Blanche and Louis IX, symbolizing royal

and divine authority

● The imagery draws parallels between Blanche and the Virgin Mary, and Louis IX and

Christ

● The manuscript was a political and religious tool to show Louis IX’s divine right to rule

○ It featured contributions from theologians, scribes, and artists working under

Blanche’s direction

○ Served as moral and leadership training for Louis and his siblings

● Helped reinforce Blanche’s image as a wise, powerful queen and mother

● The manuscript reflects the prestige of Parisian art and Blanche’s influence in shaping

royal image and legacy

● It likely contributed to Louis IX’s eventual canonization as a saint

Humanizing Mary: The Virgin of Jeanne d’Evreux

● 4th-century Gothic sculpture in the Louvre

● Made of silver covered in gold, with enamel, pearls, and crystal

● Commissioned by King Charles IV for Queen Jeanne d’Evreux

○ Given to the Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris

○ Served as a reliquary for relics of the Virgin Mary

○ Meant for a royal and religious setting

○ Christ sits on her hip, not frontally like earlier versions

○ Christ touches Mary’s lips, adding naturalism and emotion

● He holds a pomegranate, symbol of resurrection and foreshadowing his death

Reflects increased focus on human emotion in Gothic art

● Mary has a long neck and graceful tilt toward Christ

● Figure is elongated with an elegant sway

● Drapery creates movement rather than realistic anatomy

● Similar style seen in Notre Dame de Paris and Gothic manuscripts

● Drapery is detailed with zigzag folds and pooling at her feet

● Stands on a decorative base supported by four lions

● Enamel scenes show Annunciation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection

● Enamel made of colored glass fused to metal

● Prophets shown at the base symbolizing Old Testament figures

● Sculpture connects royal power with spiritual power

○ Although I understand that these pieces of art were often commissioned by those

who have status, to me, it shouldn't be that way. All the surviving pieces are those

from the rich but if royal power truly connects with spiritual power then why is

Christ not of royal blood?

The Crucifixion, c.1200 (from Christus triumphans to Christus patiens)

Video

● Also known as the 432 Cross

● 1180-1200
● Tempera on panel

● One is 12th century, other 13th century

○ Transitional moment in Italian Painting

● Christ triumphs over death

○ Although Christ seems to triumph over death he does not appear to be in any sort

of pain. I think the creator did this on purpose to showcase that even in death,

Christ still has supreme divinity which also reinforces his status in “Holiness.”

● Smallest stylization of blood but that is it.

● One of the expressions is the rise of Franciscans, the mendicant order that emphasized

Christ’s humanity.

● Once Saint Francis acquires the wounds of crucifixion, is when we see the renewed

interest in Christ’s suffering.

○ Eyes closed, brows furrowed, body swayed, sense of gravity is now affecting him.

○ I wonder why we only had that interest now, when we’ve known about his

suffering since his story first spread.

● Apron scenes: Small narrative scenes on either side that tell some of the stories from the

life of Christ.

○ Christ washing the Feet of the Apostles

○ Kiss of Judas

○ When Judas identifies Christ to the Roman soldiers who will arrest him, tyr him,

and ultimately crucify him.

○ The Flagellation, whipping and torture of Christ

○ Deposition
○ Taking down the body of Christ from the cross

○ Lamentation

○ Virgin Mary

○ Entombment

○ Resurrection, whole point of painting