GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

• What style of art developed in Europe during the Middle Ages?

  Gothic
• What was the primary method of building associated with Gothic characteristics?


  Architecture
• Between which centuries were many of the world's great cathedrals built in the Gothic style?


  12th and 16th centuries
• Why did devout Christians undertake long pilgrimages during the Gothic period?


  To visit and venerate the relics of saints and martyrs
• What did widely traveled people believe about relics during the Gothic period?


  They believed relics had curative powers
• How did the routes created for pilgrimages impact trade and travel?


  They became routes of trade/commerce and travel
• What type of buildings did Gothic architecture include?


  Cathedrals
• What architectural feature of cathedrals was designed to inspire thoughts of God?

  Tall skyscraper-like towers
• What does the experience of looking at a Gothic cathedral evoke?


  Looking up towards divinity
• What did Gothic cathedrals represent?


  Faith, dedication, and cooperation
• How did the spiritual attitude during the Gothic period differ from the Romanesque age?


  It was stronger and more sure during the Gothic period
• What did people believe about the world earlier in the Gothic period?


  It was a god-inspired mystery that could be expressed in art
• What did medieval cathedrals express through engineering, intellect, and spirituality?


  The mind
• What was the role of buildings during the Gothic period in relation to other arts?


  They supplied the framework into which all other arts fitted
• What types of figures were commonly carved into Gothic buildings?

  Saints or persons from the Bible
• How was sculpture used in Gothic churches?


  Figures of saints stood around the piers and scenes were carved above doorways
• How did the depiction of people in Gothic sculpture differ from that in the Romanesque period?


  People were depicted more realistically during the Gothic period
• How were the folds and wrinkles of garments shown in Gothic sculpture?


  They were shown falling in a natural way
• What was notable about the faces of statues in Gothic sculpture?


  They had expressions and almond-shaped eyes
• What types of figures did Gothic carvers often combine in their work?


  Beautiful, natural-looking saints with imaginary demons or other invented creatures
• How were the imaginary creatures in Gothic sculpture sometimes characterized?


  They were sometimes grotesque and sometimes funny
• What were the earliest Gothic paintings primarily used for?


  Decorations on the walls of buildings
• What later development in Gothic painting took up much of the wall space?


  Stained-glass windows
• What are illuminated manuscripts?


  Hand-decorated books
• What did artists begin to paint during the Gothic period?


  Studies of real life, including plants, animals, and people
• What shift occurred in artistic design during the Gothic period?


  Artists stopped copying older forms and based their designs on shapes in nature
• Where did Gothic architecture begin?

  France
• What inspired architects in France to develop Gothic architecture?

  Romanesque architecture and the pointed arches of Spanish Moorish architecture
• What are some recognizable features of Gothic buildings?


  Arches, ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses, elaborate sculptures, and stained glass windows
• What was Gothic architecture originally known as?


  French Style
• How did the Renaissance period affect the perception of Gothic architecture?


  It fell out of fashion and was not respected by many artists
• What does the term "Gothic" suggest about the style according to Renaissance artists?


  It was the crude work of German barbarians
• What does the term "Gothic" mean in relation to the historical context?


  Dark Age
• What historical event is associated with the Goths in 410 AD?


  They took Rome
• How did Gothic art express the cultural sentiment of the time?


  It expressed an apocalyptic sense of impending judgment or catastrophic change
• What did the Goths believe about forests?


  They believed forests were the first temples of God
• How did Gothic churches evoke the experience of forests?


  Through their architectural features like vaults, shadows, and low doors
• What is the Greek-cross plan in church architecture?


  A church plan in the form of a Greek cross with a square central mass and four arms of equal length
• What was the earliest church architecture based on?

  The plan of the pagan Roman basilica
• What are the main components of the Greek-cross plan?


  A nave, side aisles, a narthex, and an apse