GOTHIC art architecture: characteristics and examples [with IMAGES]

The Gothic It's one of the artistic styles most notable and emblematic and, although its origin dates from the Middle Ages, this movement has been a source of inspiration, resorting to it at different times in history. One of its main manifestations was architecture, being the main axis around which the rest of the arts are ordered.

In this lesson from unPROFESOR.com we offer you the main characteristics and examples of Gothic art architecture. Discover them with us!

The Gothic architecture it's a architectural style emerged in Europe, specifically in France. A type of architecture that originated in the religious reforms of the abbot Bernardo de Claraval, who stressed the need to rise to the heavens to be closer to God, as well as the creation of spaces full of light to live that new spirituality.

Gothic architecture starts at mid-twelfth century to the end of the fifteenth, moment in which it passes from the Middle Ages to the Modern. Its aesthetics bets on verticality through constructive elements such as pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, rose windows, flying buttresses, abutments and buttresses; in addition to using the

Image: Notre Dame Cathedral

Although the architecture of the Gothic art took elements of the Romanesque, it was necessary to adapt and reinterpret them to achieve buildings of greater height and lightness. Between the main characteristics of gothic architecture stand out:

• Look for the ornamental austerity, spirituality and recollection after the religious reform promulgated by the Cistercian order. Bernardo de Claraval is the leader of this movement of renewal and search for spiritual purity.
• Get walls less thick than Romanesque and open wider openings by means of supporting elements such as the flying buttresses and buttresses, the ribbed vault and pointed arches. An elevation that, far from that simplicity and purity, brought more monumental buildings, with reinforced verticality and large windows.
• The verticality replaces the typical horizontality of the Romanesque.
• The plant is of latin cross, although with more ships than the one that arose during the Romanesque.
• The header adopts polygonal shapes, maintaining an ambulatory and an ambulatory similar to those proposed by the Romanesque.
• Is achieved more luminosity and height of the walls, since it is built with an organic sense, as if the building were a living organism that ascends towards the sky.
• The light it has a symbolic character and creates an environment conducive to meditation and prayer.
• Other elements that contribute to highlighting this verticality are the pinnacles, in addition to providing stability and decorating the whole. This combination of decoration and functionality is also present in elements such as gargoyles. Some terrifying and grotesque figures that were also a drainpipe complement to the gutter system.
• Another decorative element that also helps to emphasize that verticality are the towers and roof tops, the spiers or capitals. Some pyramidal, conical or polygonal pieces that are placed as a finish as a decoration.
• The stained glass with vivid colors and letting light pass through, they contribute to creating interiors full of luminosity and environments that invite a feeling of transcendence and connection with divinity. Some stained glass that are located in the windows.
• The Romanesque rose windows are pleased to get the light and make it fall on the altar or altars and impregnate with mysticism and spirituality the area where the tabernacle, the most outstanding altarpieces and images are located, in addition to officiating the masses.
• The ashlar stone carved in detail and the stained glass windows are the main materials used, with little use of wood.
• Others constructive and decorative elements used in the Gothic they are the pointed and geminated openings, the gables, tracery carved in the windows, jewels and keys, as well as sculptures.

The first building in which these techniques were embodied was the Basilica of Saint-Denis (1140). A moment that marked the beginning of the diffusion of this style throughout Europe, also generating different varieties by areas.

Between the most representative buildings of Gothic architecture are the following:

• Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral (1163-1345)
• St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna (1137)
• Canterbury Cathedral (1174)
• Heiligenkreuz Abbey (1113), in Vienna. This Cistercian abbey was built before the French Gothic and already has the characteristics of the Gothic in its choir.
• Burgos Cathedral (1221)
• Leon Cathedral (1280)
• Milan Cathedral

Examples of civil Gothic architecture

• • Belfry of Bruges (Bruges, Belgium) Construction started at the end of the 12th century
• • Doge's Palace (Venice, Italy), 11th to 14th centuries
• • Lonja de la Seda (Valencia, Spain), late 15th century

Image: Burgos Cathedral

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