Gothic

A STORY OF LIGHT, HOPE, AND
REACHING FOR HEAVEN

Style Ogivale characteristics

Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Europe experienced: ___________ As cities prospered, cathedrals became symbols of civic pride as well
as religious devotion.

The ____ was the most powerful institution in medieval Europe.

Cathedrals served as:

The Gothic style is generally
considered to have begun with the
renovation of the Abbey Church of
Saint-Denis near Paris under ____

Suger's vision emphasized:

The Gothic cathedral was designed to symbolize:

A mazelike pattern inlaid in the pavement of a medieval church.

A chapel endowed for the saying of Masses and prayers for the souls of the founders or of persons named by them

The part of a church occupied by the singers of a ____, usually part of the chancel.

A separate division behind the choir or high altar of a large church.

The space about the altar of a church for the clergy and choir, often elevated above the nave and separated from it by a railing or screen.

An alsle encircling the end of the choir or chancel of a church. Also called de_____.

A separately dedicated part of a church for private prayer, meditation, or small religious services.

A chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. usually located behind the high altar of a cathedral at the extremity of the apse.

The rounded east end of a Gothic cathedral, including the apse and ambulatory.

A small porch used as a chapel for penitents at the west end of some medieval English churches.

A covered walk having an arcade or colonnade on one side opening onto a courtyard.

An atrium or cloister beside a church.

An assembly of the monks in a monastery, or the members of a religlous house or order.

The place where the chapter of a cathedral or monastery meets, usually a building attached to or a hall forming part of the cathedral or monastery.

A covered passage, esp. one between the transept and chapter house of a cathedral. Also, slip.

An enclosed place, esp, the land surrounding or beside a cathedral.

The part of a church reserved for the officlating clergy.

The main altar of a church.

A slender spire rising from the ridge of a root, esp. one above the crossing of a Gothic church.

A relatively small, usually follated ornament terminating the peak of a spire or pinnacle.

A projecting ornament, usually In the form of curved foliage, used esp. in Gothic architecture to decorate the outer angles of pinnacles, spires, and gables.

Became the defining feature of Gothic architecturea

The Gothic architects and builders discovered the amazing strength and stability of using

The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner because the weight of the roof was supported by the ___ rather than the walls.

The ___ could not only support greater weights but could also could span greater distances, allowing vaults to be taller and wider.

What encouraged the use of stained glass

The simplest shape is the long opening with a pointed arch known in England as the ____.

These openings are often grouped, usually as a cluster of three or five.

_____ openings may be very narrow and steeply pointed.

_____ arches are typically defined as two-centered arches whose radii are larger than the arch's span.

is famous for the beauty and simplicity of its Lancet Gothic.

Many Gothic openings are based upon the ____ form

The ____ gives a wide opening of satisfying proportion useful for doorways, decorative arcades and large windows.

The _____ was employed as a useful tool, not as a Principle of Design.

The ____ is one that is drafted from four points, the upper part of each main arc turning upwards into a smaller arc and meeting at a sharp, flame-like point.

These arches create a rich and lively effect when used for window tracery and surface decoration.

The form is structurally weak and has very rarely been used for large openings except when contained within a larger and more stable arch.

What arch is not employed at all for vaulting.

A notable example of Flamboyant Arch is the doorway to the ____

is much wider than its height and gives the visual effect of having been flattened under pressure.

Its structure is achieved by drafting two arcs which rise steeply from each springing point on a small radius and then turn into two arches with a wide radius and much lower springing point.

This type of arch, when employed as a window opening, lends itself to very wide spaces, provided it is adequately supported by many narrow vertical shafts.

These are often further braced by horizontal transoms.

A ____ consists of intersecting stone ribs that form the framework of the ceiling.

Advantages of ribbed vault

Which is lighter and more efficient between barrel vaults and ribbed vaults?

A surface framed by the ribs of a ribbed vault

A vault supported by or decorated with arched diagonal ribs

A rib vault divided into 4 parts by intersecting diagonal ribs

a rib vault divided into 6 compartments by 2 diagonal ribs and 3 transverse ribs

any of several archlike members supporting a vault at the groins, defining its distinct surfaces or dividing these surfaces into panels

a rib spanning the longitudinal axis of a rib vault and dividing it into bays or compartments

a rib springing from a point of support on either side of the ogives or transverse ribs of a rib vault

a rib against a wall, parallel to the longitudinal axis of a rib vault

the keystone at the crown of an arch or at the intersection of 2 or more vaulting ribs

a horizontal rib marking the crown of a vaulting compartment

a rib crossing a compartmemt of a rib vault on a diagonal.

What are the parts of a rib vault

A rib crossing a compartment of a rib vault on a
diagonal.

A horizontal rib marking the crown of a vaulting
compartment.

An ornamental, knob-like projection at the intersection of
ogives.

A tertiary rib in a vault often for decorative rather than
structural purposes.

A subsidiary rib which connects a point on the ridge rib
or central boss with one of the main springers or supports.

four-part vault divided by diagonal ribs into four
triangular stone panels or cells.

A six-part vault divided into six compartments by adding a
transverse rib across the middle of a quadripartite design.

An adaptation of the standard intersecting barrel vault
using pointed arches to better manage weight distribution and height.

A complex vault
introducing extra
secondary ribs __ running
from a main support
to the ridge rib for
added geometric
pattern.

An even more
intricate style featuring short
connecting ribs between
main structural ribs, creating star-
like web patterns.

A late English Gothic design featuring
concave, radiating ribs that spread out like an
open fan from a central pier, becoming
primarily ornamental.

Perhaps the most revolutionary innovation of
Gothic architecture.

is an external support that
transfers the lateral thrust of the roof and vaults away
from the walls to exterior piers.

Without flying buttresses:
• Walls had to remain ____
• Windows had to remain ____

With flying buttresses:
• Walls became ____
• Larger stained-glass windows became possible.
• Cathedrals could reach unprecedented heights.

An inclined bar of masonry carried on a segmental arch and transmitting an outward and downward thrust from a roof or vault to a solid buttress that through its mass transforms the thrust into a vertical one.

A subordinate vertical structure terminating in a pyramid or spire, used esp. in Gothic architecture to add weight to a buttress pier.

The part of a pier that rises to take the thrust of a flying buttress.

A sloping top on a buttress or projecting pier to shed rainwater.

A projecting edge of a buttress.

A distinct, slender, vertical masonry feature engaged in a wall or pier and supporting or feigning to support an arch or a ribbed vault.

A shaft that leads to the springer of a rib or group of ribs, either rising from the ground or from a corbel at a greater height in the face of the masonry.

One of the most recognizable features of Gothic churches.

Functions of a Large Stained-Glass Windows

The colorful light symbolized _____

A circular stained-glass window, usually placed above
the main entrance or in the transepts.

Everything in a Gothic cathedral directs the eye upward.

Examples of Vertical Emphasis in a Gothic Cathedral

verticality symbolized humanity's aspiration toward

Gothic cathedrals used _____ that
efficiently carried loads while creating an impression
of lightness and elegance

Pointed Pinnacles advantages

Structural System

BUILDING ELEMENTS

DECORATION

These carved stone figures
served two purposes:
1. Decorative and
symbolic—representing evil kept
outside the sacred space.
2. Functional—as
waterspouts directing rainwater
away from the building.

What are the two purposes of Gargoyles

MATERIALS

ENGINEERING INNOVATIONS

Also called "a lancettes" Distinguished by pointed arches and geometric traceried windows

Also called "Rayonnant" Characterized by circular windows with wheel tracery

Also called "Flamboyant"
Flame-like window tracery or free-flowing tracery

THE THREE GOTHIC IN FRANCE – “L ‘ARCHITECTURE OGIVALE”

• Location: Paris, France
• Construction began in 1163.
Features:
• Flying buttresses.
• Rose windows.
• Ribbed vaults.
• Twin towers.
• Sculptural façades.
It became one of the most influential Gothic cathedrals in Europe

Renowned for its remarkable stained glass
and harmonious design
• Location: Chartres, France
Known for:
• Exceptional stained glass.
• Well-preserved sculptures.
• Labyrinth in the nave floor.
• Innovative flying buttresses.
Many of its original stained-glass windows survive today

One of the tallest complete Gothic cathedrals in France.
• Location: Amiens, France
The largest Gothic cathedral in France.
Features:
• Vaults reaching approximately 42 meters.
• Extensive sculpture.
• Remarkable verticality

• Location: Reims, France
The traditional coronation
church of French kings.
Known for:
• Elaborate façade.
• Sculptural
programs.
• Elegant
proportions.

• Location: Cologne, Germany
One of the tallest cathedrals in
the world.
Features:
• Twin spires.
• Monumental scale.
• Gothic detailing.
Construction spanned more
than six centuries

Includes the raising of most of major Romanesque churches and castles

Pointed arches in Romanesque structures

• Equivalent to High Gothic in France
• Also called "Lancet" or "First Pointed" style, from long narrow pointed windows

• Window tracery is "Geometrical" in form, and later, flowing tracery patterns and curvilinear surface pattern
• Also called "Second Pointed", equivalent to French "Flamboyant" style

Also called "Rectilinear" or "Third Pointed"

Increasing application of Renaissance detail

Renaissance ideas take strong hold

GOTHIC IN ENGLAND

A historic Gothic church in central London, England,
hosted every coronation since William the Conqueror
in 1066 ( most recently King Charles III in 2023)

• Complex of church, royal palace and burial grounds
• Most important medieval building in Britain
• Widest (32 m) and highest vault in England (102 ft)

famous for its
stunning
collection of
Stained glass

is a famous 13th century Gothic church in Wiltshire, England. It has the tallest spire (404 feet)

was slain inside the cathedral by knights of King Henry II in December 1170

Archbishop Thomas
Becket was slain
inside this cathedral

is a massive Gothic
catholic church in Germany,
Famous for its 157-meter twin spires.

• Strong Moorish influences: the use of
horseshoe arches and rich surface
decoration of intricate geometrical
and flowing patterns
• Churches had flat exterior
appearance, due to chapels inserted
between buttresses

Largest Medieval church in Europe
Second largest church in the world, next to St. Peter's, Rome

It is one of the largest cathedrals in Spain in size and its bell
tower, at 92 meters high, is also one of the tallest.

First major Spanish Gothic building modeled after French Gothic
cathedrals.
Features iconic open-work spires added by the Colonia family in
the 15th century.
Houses the Escalera Dorada (Golden Staircase), a grand
Renaissance stair design.
Displays an evolution of styles from early Gothic to Renaissance
and Baroque.

• Led the way in Europe, in terms of art, learning and commerce
• Cultural revival was taking place in Italy in advance of northern Europe
• Roman tradition remained strong
• This arrested the development of Gothic architecture in Italy
• Verticality of Gothic is generally neutralized by horizontal cornices and string
courses
• Absence of pinnacles and flying buttresses
• Small windows without tracery
• Projecting entrance porches with columns on lion-like beasts

• Designed by
• Essentially Italian in character, without the vertical
• Features of Gothic
• Peculiar latin cross plan with campanile and baptistery

who designed Florence Cathedral or S. Maria del Fiore

What cross plan did Florence Cathedral or S. Maria del Fiore incorporate

• Largest Medieval cathedral in Italy
• 3rd largest cathedral in Europe

The cathedral was designed and built between 1215 and 1263
on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross
with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.

• One of most stupendous undertakings since
the building of the Pisa cathedral
• Outcome of civic pride - all artists in Siena
contributed their works to its building and
adornment
• Cruciform plan
• Zebra marble striping on wall and pier

• Irregular in plan
• Most beautiful and poetic of all
Spanish cathedrals

Built on mounds above rivers, with thick walls and small windows.

Erected by new and wealthy trading families

Parts of MANOR HOUSES

Parts of Tudor Manor Houses

Represents closeness to God.

Represents divine wisdom and grace.

Represents heaven and eternity.

Represents the crucifixion of Christ.

Represent the triumph of good over evil while protecting the building
from rainwater.

Gothic architecture influenced

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE