The Art Gothic

By Virginia Pedrosa Vargas

v
 Index
1. Introduction
2. Origins
3. Gothic architecture
4. Gothic paintings
5. Gothic sculpture
6. Conclusión
7. Bibliografy/webgrafy
 1. Introduction
Gothic art itself coincides in time with the fullness and crisis of the Middle Ages.

If its predecessor, Romanesque art, reflected a ruralized society of warriors and

peasants, the Gothic coincides with the resurgence of the cities, where the bourgeoisie
and universities developed, and with the emergence of new religious orders
(monastics such as the Cistercians and mendicants such as the Franciscans and
Dominicans). Conflicts and dissidence (popular revolts, heresies, development and
crisis of scholasticism) were also accentuated, Western Schism); culminating in the
terrifying spectacles of the Black Death and the Hundred Years' War, a world so
changing that it can only be understood in terms of a fundamental mutation (for
materialist historiography, the transition from feudalism to capitalism).
2. Origins
Gothic art is the historiographical denomination of the artistic style that
developed in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages, from the mid-
twelfth century until the implantation of the Renaissance (fifteenth century
for Italy), and well into the sixteenth century in the places where gothic
survived longer. It is a broad artistic period, which arises in the north of
France and expands throughout the West. According to the countries and
regions, it develops in different chronological moments, offering in its wide
development profound differentiations: purer in France (being very different
from Paris and Provence), more horizontal and close to the classical tradition
in Italy (although to the north one of the most paradigmatic examples is
welcomed, such as the cathedral of Milan), with local peculiarities in Flanders,
Germany, England and Spain.
 3. Gothic architecture
Characteristics of the gothic architecture:

• Targeted or pointed arches that were lighter.

• Ribbed vaulting, formed by the intersection of two pointed arches that were
supported by four support columns. The weight of the roof did not rest directly
on the walls, so large stained glass and rose windows were possible.
• A system of buttresses and flying buttresses, which supported the weight of the
building.
• Three doors that opened into the three interior naves. Each entrance was
flanked by a tympanum and archivolts and was usually divided by a column
(mullion).
• Galleries with decoration in the form of arrows (gables).
• Pinnacles on top of the buttresses that gave the church a greater sense of
height
Example: The Cathedral of Notre Dame
4. Gothic paintings
In Gothic churches, walls were replaced by large windows. This reduced the
space for fresco paintings on the walls, and panel painting (altarpieces)
became more common.
Miniature illustrations in books and codices were also perfected during this
period.
The themes in Gothic painting were mostly religious, but scenes from
everyday life, landscapes and cities were also portrayed.

Some important characteristics of Gothic painting were: more natural and

realistic bodies, faces and landscapes; the expression of emotions through
gestures and faces; the realistic use of light and colour.
Example: Giotto; Kiss of judas
5. Gothic sculpture
Sculptures continued to be used as decoration on façades and in cloisters, but
altarpieces and sepulchres were also made. Freestanding sculptures with
religious themes and portraits of kings and nobles became more common.
Gothic sculpture moved away from the hieratic and rigid Romanesque style
and developed realistic features.
• Faces expresed feelings. Sculptures depicted portraits of real people.

• Drapery gave shape to to the body.

• Sculptures were not isolated figures. They appeared less rigid when
interacting with other sculptures, and could be used as parts of different
scenes and narratives.
• The S curve of the body gave the figures a sense of movement.
Example: The White Virgin
6. Conclusión
In my opinion the Gothic art is very interesting and is very beautiful.
7. Bibliografy/webgrafy
1. Introduction: Wikipedia:

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arte_g%C3%B3tico?msclkid=e5351806b7ef11ec
9786fb3265c96cff#:~:text=Contexto%20hist%C3%B3rico%5Beditar,feudalism
o%20al%20capitalismo).

2. Origins: Wikipedia:
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arte_gótico
3. Gothic architecture:
-The text: Book of vicens vives geography and history secondary education.
-Images:

https://supercurioso.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Curiosidades-de-
Notre-Dame.jpg

https://supercurioso.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Curiosidades-de-
Notre-Dame-5.jpg
4. Gothic paintings
-The text: Book of vicens vives geography and history secondary education.
-Imagen: https://uploads2.wikiart.org/images/giotto/the-arrest-of-christ-kiss-
of-judas.jpg
5. Gothic sculpture
-The text: Book of vicens vives geography and history secondary education.

-Imagen: https://live.staticflickr.com/3255/2887029288_9594649705.jpg