The Gothic
period was a progressionary step from the
preceding Romanesque period.
Gothic Architecture
began with the construction of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Denis, in the Ile-
de France, just north of Paris in 1144.
Abbot Suger is known as
the ‘creator of Gothic’.
Gothic Stages
The Experimental Stage
•Roughly the period
from the building of the Abbey Church at St. Denis to the
opening decades of the thirteenth century.
The Classical Stage
•Spans the entire
thirteenth century
•Rheims
Cathedral
The Flamboyant Stage
•Extends into the end
of the fifteenth century
Gothic architectural features
•Pointed Arches
•Rib-Vaulting
•Ambulatory with radiating chapels
•Buttresses and Flying Buttresses
•Thin walls
•Slender pillars to support vaulting system &
clustered columns.
•Large Stained Glass Windows
•Cruciform Shape
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•High Pointed Spires
•High Relief Sculpture
•Tracery – ornamental stone work was used to support
the glass in the round and tall lancet windows.
Chartres
The Royal Portal of Chartres
The North Portal of Chartres
The North Portal – dedicated to the Virgin Mary
Old Testament Prophets & Mary precursors to the
arrival of Christ.
The South Portal of Chartres
Rheims
Rouen
Sculpture
Ekehard & Uta - Naumburg Master
The Virgin of Notre Dame
The Well of Moses
Stained Glass
Stained Glass in Chartres Cathedral
Sainte Chapelle
Exam questions
2015 – Gothic
Architecture & sculpture
The
creators of Gothic churches and cathedrals used architecture, sculpture and
stained glass to communicate ideas about the power of the church as well as
about the story of Christianity. Discuss this statement with reference to a
named Gothic church or cathedral.
and
Briefly
describe and discuss the treatment of the human figure in a named Gothic
sculpture.
Illustrate your answer.
2014 – Gothic
sculpture & architecture
Name and discuss the sculpture illustrated on the
accompanying sheet, making reference to the sculptor, theme, composition,
style, and the period in which it was produced.
And
Name a cathedral from this period and briefly describe and
discuss its main architectural features.
Illustrate your
answer.
2013 – Gothic
architecture & stained glass
The façade of a gothic cathedral must have made a powerful
impression on approaching worshippers.
Discuss this statement with reference to one named gothic
cathedral you have studied.
In your discussion refer to the architectural features and
sculptural decoration.
And
Briefly describe the roll of stained glass in a gothic
cathedral.
Illustrate your
answer.
2012 – Romanesque
& Gothic sculpture
Name and discuss in detail the two sculptures illustrated on
the accompanying sheet, making reference to the periods in which they were
produced, and to their themes, composition and style.
and
Discuss briefly the role of sculpture in a named medieval
church/cathedral that you have studied.
Illustrate your
answer.
2011 – Romanesque
& Gothic comparison, gothic sculpture
Discuss the ways in which the main architectural and
decorative features of
Romanesque churches differ from those of Gothic cathedrals.
In your answer name one Romanesque church and one Gothic cathedral, and make
detailed reference to scale, structure, layout and decoration.
and
Name and discuss
briefly one example of Gothic sculpture that you have studied.
Illustrate your
answer.
2010 – Romanesque
architecture & Sculpture
The Christian church influenced the development of art and
architecture during the Romanesque period. Discuss this statement making
detailed reference to the structure, layout and decoration of one named church
from the period.
and
Name and discuss briefly
one example of Romanesque sculpture that you have studied.
Illustrate your
answer.
2009 – Gothic
Sculpture & Architecture – the relationship between sculpture &
architecture
During the gothic period in Europe, the range and style of
religious sculpture developed significantly.
Discuss this statement in relation to two names examples of
gothic sculpture you have studied.
Emphasise the treatment of the human figure in your answer.
And
Name a gothic church you have studied and discuss briefly
the relationship between its architecture and sculpture.
Use sketches to illustrate your answer.
2008 – Gothic
architecture - development
Describe and discuss the development of gothic architecture
in from the 12th to the 16th century making reference to
the three illustrations on the accompanying sheet.
In your answer, name the buildings and refer to structure,
decoration and style.
Illustrate your answer.
2007 – Romanesque
Sculpture – relationship between sculpture & architecture
Romanesque sculpture has decorative and narrative functions.
Discuss this statement in relation to two named examples of
Romanesque sculpture you have studied.
Emphasise the treatment of the human figure in your answer
And
Name a Romanesque church you have studied and discuss
briefly the relationship between its architecture and sculpture.
Illustrate your answer.
2006 – stained
glass & its contribution to the overall church
Discuss in detail the stained glass window illustrated on
the accompanying sheet. Refer in your
answer to its overall plan/design, theme and composition, use of colour and the
technique used in its construction.
And
Discuss the contribution stained glass windows have made to
the overall impact of a named gothic cathedral you have studied.
Illustrate your answer.
2005 – gothic
sculpture & its relationship to architecture
Answer (a) and (b)
(a) Describe and discuss the characteristics of Gothic
sculpture and its relationship to the architecture of the period. Use specific
examples.
(b) How does Gothic sculpture differ from the sculpture of
the Romanesque period?
Use specific examples.
Illustrate your answer.
2004 – Romanesque
Architecture & Sculpture
In Europe, crusades, pilgrimages and monasticism contributed
to the development of Romanesque art and architecture. Discuss this statement,
referring in your answer to two specific Romanesque churches and to the
origins, development and characteristics of the Romanesque style.
Illustrate your answer.
