Early Gothic History
Facade of Saint Denis, Paris, France
HIGH GOTHIC, RAYONNANT GOTHIC: 1194-1300 (FRANCE)
Interior of St. Chapelle, Paris, France
Rayonnant = "radiating"
LATE GOTHIC, FLAMBOYANT GOTHIC: AFTER 1300 (FRANCE)
Milan Cathedral, Milan, Italy
Flamboyant = "flaming"
PERPENDICULAR GOTHIC: AFTER 1350 (ENGLAND)
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, England
- Increase in a centralized monarchy. The years 987-1328 were a time of peace in the area around Paris.
- Sales of charters = Growth and Wealth = Increase of wealth to King because charters connect directly to the King.
- Agriculture to goods and services
- Increase in schools: Scholars and teachers transformed western thinking. They changed the way people asked questions and the used logical reasoning.
- Hundred Years' War (France vs. England: 1337-1453) = Decrease in economy and social growth
- Babylonian Capitvity (1304-1377): French popes moved headquarters to Avignon, France. = Rome started to decay, decrease in maintenance. Strain on schisms of Popes, wasn't resolved until 1409.
- The Black Death of 1348: 1/4 - 1/3 of the WORLD'S population died! = Architecture was halted, artists depicted the Black Death as a punishment from God = more conservative, reverted to early styles.
Facade of Saint Denis, Paris, France
- Characterized by round columns in the interior
- Rib vaults start at ceiling by travel down only to the top of the column capitals
HIGH GOTHIC, RAYONNANT GOTHIC: 1194-1300 (FRANCE)
Interior of St. Chapelle, Paris, France
Rayonnant = "radiating"
- Articulated columns in the interior
- Rib vaults travel from ceiling to floor
- Larger window space, choirs, and chevets
- Dissolution of wall space with the used of stained-glass windows
LATE GOTHIC, FLAMBOYANT GOTHIC: AFTER 1300 (FRANCE)
Milan Cathedral, Milan, Italy
Flamboyant = "flaming"
- Highly decorative
- A mass of pinnacles and tracery
- Ogee arches
PERPENDICULAR GOTHIC: AFTER 1350 (ENGLAND)
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, England
- Constructed in a garden like setting (inspired by cloisters)
- Extremely pronounced central spires
- Smaller flying buttresses and portals
- Lower towers and wide screen like facades (full of sculpture)
- **Enormous window spaces interlaced with decorative vertical patterns of stone trace
This website is based upon work supported by:
Dr. Robert Croad for workshops, resources and time -
Marsha Russell for your generosity in sharing materials and knowledge -
and to Valerie Park for your AP Art History web site that this website is based upon.
Dr. Robert Croad for workshops, resources and time -
Marsha Russell for your generosity in sharing materials and knowledge -
and to Valerie Park for your AP Art History web site that this website is based upon.