What is Gothic art?
Gothic art was a style of art that flourished in Western Europe during the late middle ages, from about 1200 to 1500. The term GOTHIC originated among Renaissance artists of the 1400's who wanted to revive the classical style of Greece and Rome. They associated late medieval art with the barbaric Goths, who had destroyed classical art in the 400's.
The most significant form of Gothic art was Gothic architecture. It originated in France during the mid-1100's and quickly spread throughout much of the rest of western Europe.
Gothic architecture became famous chiefly because of the many magnificent cathedrals built in this style. These graceful structures gave the impression of soaring height that drew the worshipers' eyes upward towards heaven. To achieve this effect, Gothic archetects developed the ribbed-vault, a type of ceiling supported by pointed arches. The arches were formed gy narrow stone ribs that extended from tall pillars. Aditional flying buttresses, which leaned against the outside walls of the churches.
Ribbed vaults and flying buttresses reduced the amount of solid wall space needed for support. Therefore, Gothic archetects lined the walls of their cathedrals with large, brightly colored stained-glass windows that portrayed religious scenes. Light shone through the windows and filled the churches with a rich, purplish glow that made the worshipers fell they were in another world.
The most famous Gothic structures in France include the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and the cathedrals in Chartres and Reims. The Salisbury Cathedral in England and the Cologne Cathedral in Germany are other outstanding examples of Gothic archetecture.
Most sculpture of the Gothic period was created for the cathedrals. The exterior walls of Gothic cathedrals were lined with statues of saints and Biblical figures, many of them life-sized and three-dimensional. Gothic sculptors also carved marble pulpits and wooden altar pieces and crucifixes for the church interiors.
Gothic painters concentrated mainly on elaborate decorations for Bibles and prayerbooks. In these illuminated manuscripts, the artists used the bright colors of stained-glass windows and divided many of their paintings into separate panels on a page. Gothic artists also produced nonreligious art for private homes. These works included scenes of hunting, riding, and love. Some nonreligious art also appeared in many Gothic churches.
