By 1250, European design had drastically
changed. The building of French Gothic churches was part of a national surge of
architectural expression. Gothic cathedrals of the Lle de France are widely
seen as one of the high points in the history of architecture. Gothic
architecture was birthed from the Romanesque era. It was the introduction of
the pointed arch, ribbed vault, and flying buttress. Since it is associated
with France the new style quickly spread across Europe. Gothic architecture is
important because it is an entire architectural systems, plans, sections,
facades, details- not derivative of the classical order; people saw it as the
start of architectural modernism. Gothic furniture was closely allied with
architecture in its forms, details.
The
appearance of the cathedrals appeared weightless with tall walls and stained
glass with many windows. They exceeded the earthly experience. The Cathedral of
Saint Denis was on of the popular cathedrals at this time. Saint Denis is the
patron saint of France because he was one of those responsible for converting
Gaul’s to Christianity in the third century C.E. The Abbot Suger was the head
of the monastery of St. Denis from 1122 to 1151. Gothic churches follow the
model of St. Denis in which the chevet is an integral part of the overall
church plan. The chevet at St. Denis includes three elements that constitute
the foundation of what became gothic architecture, Gothic arches, rib vaults,
and the flying buttresses.
By the end
of the Gothic period, designers had increasingly focused their attention on
presenting the interiors of masonry building and increasing the amount of
comfort. Up to this historical point in time, the late fifteenth century,
important chairs, such as thrones, highlighted the status of the sitter by
using elegant materials and time consuming and exacting workmanship. Gothic
furniture was based off the architecture with the pointed arches, tracery,
finials, trefoils, and quatrefoils.
Past:
Present:
Extra Credit: Gothic Architecture
http://study.com/academy/lesson/gothic-art-and-architecture.html
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