Gothic art

GOTHIC ARTThis style started by the end of the 12th century in France. Then it spread throughout Europe

GOTHIC SCULPTUREGothic sculpture was also mainly religious and educational. The main purpose was teaching about the Bible, but there were new elements in this style since it was an urban style

Figure became independent and they were not adapted to fit architecture

They were more realistic and natural:

• Clothes were more realistic

• Curved lines

• Movements

• Feelings (Jesus suffers on the Cross and the Virgin plays happily with the Child)

OTHER EXAMPLES OF SCULPTURES

ALTARPIECES

They were above of behind of the altar

CHOIR STALLS

FUNERAL SCULPTURE

DECORATING ELEMENTS IN THE FACADES

GOTHIC PAINTING

• The Gothic painting had the same characteristics of the Gothic sculpture:– It was religious and educational, but there were also

profane art– Realistic and natural– Figures show their feelings

• Mural paintings decreased (except in Italy) and they were replaced by stained glasses windows

• The miniatures were still very popular in bibles• Panel paintings and altarpieces on wood were also

very popular in the Churches.• However, the Gothic painting introduced the

portraits for the rich people (merchants and nobles). Even though, Roman people also had portraits

STAINED GLASS

PORTRAIT OF A MERCHANT

GOTHIC MINIATURE

GOTHIC PANEL PAINTING

To sum up, the main features of Gothic painting are:

BRIGHT COLOURS:

THE USE OF GOLD:

BACKGROUND LANDSCAPES:

REALISM AND MOVEMENT:

RELIGIOUS AND PROFANE SUBJECTS:

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

• It had a religious and educational purpose

• But it also wanted to show the power of the cities. Why?

• Because the Gothic architecture was mainly urban and cathedrals were the centre of the city

• They were even a political centre, because municipal councils and guilds used to meet in the cathedrals

• As a result, cities wanted to have the best cathedral

NEW TECHNIQUES AND ELEMENTS

• Gothic architects wanted to make taller, brighter and lighter the cathedrals. They wanted to show the cathedrals as if they were the heaven

• Thus, they introduced:

• Pointed arches

• Rib vaults

• Thin and taller walls

• Large windows of stained glass

However, they needed a system to support the weight of the roof, the rib vaults and the whole structure of the building.

How did they do it?

They divided the weight into many pilars –inside of the building- and many flying buttresses outside. Buttresses were like stone scaffolds

CHANGES IN THE GROUND PLAN

It still had the latin cross shape. However:

• The east ends were polygonal

• Central nave was higher than the side aisles or naves