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CHAPTER TWELVE
GOTHIC ART
Google Earth Coordinates:
Amiens Cathedral, west façade, Amiens, France
Cathedral of Notre Dame, Chartres
Video Links:
Chartes, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
Engineering the Impossible: Chartes Cathedral
Early Gothic Art in France
Key Images
Ambulatory of abbey church of Saint-Denis, p. 392, 12.2
West façade of abbey church of Saint-Denis, p. 394, 12.3
Primary Source: Suger of Saint-Denis (1081-1151), from, On the Consecration of the
Church of Saint-Denis and On What Was Done Under His Administration, p. 393
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High Gothic Art in France
Key Images
Nave and choir of cathedral of Notre-Dame, Chartres, p. 400, 12.12
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Chartres, p. 402, 12.15
North transept of cathedral of Notre-Dame, Chartres, p. 403, 12.17
Notre Dame de la Belle Verrière, cathedral of Notre-Dame, Chartres, p. 404, 12.18
Primary Source: Theophilus Presbyter (12th Century), De diversis artibus, from Book II:
Materials and Techniques: Stained Glass, p. 405
: Modules and Proportions, p. 406
Rayonnant or Court Style
Key Images
Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, p. 413, 12.31
Interior of upper chapel, Sainte-Chapelle, p. 414, 12.32
Key Images
Master Honoré, David and Goliath, from The Prayer Book of Philip IV the Fair, p. 418,
12.38
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The Spread of Gothic Art
Key Images
Exterior of cathedral of Santa Maria, León, p. 424, 12.46
Interior of cathedral of Santa Maria, León, p. 425, 12.47
Simeon, jamb statue, south portal of west façade, cathedral of Santa Maria, León, p. 426,
12.48
Salisbury cathedral, p. 427, 12.49
Nave of Salisbury cathedral, p. 427, 12.51
Choir of Gloucester cathedral, p. 428, 12.52
The Gothic style began in and around Paris in ca.1140, and within a century it had
spread throughout Europe. By 1400, the Gothic style had begun to dissipate, and by
the mid-sixteenth century, it had disappeared completely except in England.
The Gothic style was born with the rebuilding of the royal Abbey Church of St.-Denis
(12.2), 1137 1144, by Abbot Suger. Although none of the elements that comprised
Gothic architecture were new to the period, these elements were brought together for
the first time in the renovation of the eighth century Church of St.-Denis.
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following a fire, there was an advancement in Gothic architecture with an emphasis
on verticality and translucency. There is also increased naturalism in the door jamb
statues.
Some scholars have suggested that the integration of structure and design in the art of
Key Terms/Places/Names
opus modernum
opus francigenum
Abbot Suger
responds
rayonnant
court style
grisaille
vignettes
Discussion Questions
1. On June 11, 1144, Abbot Suger presided at the dedication of the choir of the royal
Abbey Church of St.-Denis, Paris. This momentous occasion, attended by King
Louis VII of France and his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, sparked a frenzy of Gothic
construction in the Île de France. How would you define Gothic architecture with
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regard to the individual elements in Suger s plan? Are these elements unique to the
Gothic style?
2. The West Portal of Chartres Cathedral, begun ca.1145 under the influence of Abbot
3. Define the Rayonnant or Court Style.
4. What are characteristics of Gothic sculpture?
5. Is there a shift in emphasis from the Romanesque to the Gothic style of architecture?
If so, what is it?
Resources
Books
Andrews, Franers B. The Medieval Builder and His Methods. New York: Barnes and
Noble, 1993.
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Wilson, Christopher. The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church, 1130–
1530. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1990.
DVDs
Cathedral. Hosted by David Macaulay. (2000). PBS Home Video.
Chartres Cathedral: A Sacred Geometry. (2003). Janson Media.
Modern Marvels: Gothic Cathedrals. (1997). The History Channel.