A bit more goth

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[published 11/6/2021]

As explored in previous posts. Gothic architecture has a natural element that flows between geometry. It's highly detailed. Containing a delicate strength. The Christian church was the driving force of the style. However, without trying to be controversial, I can always see the nature-based religions (paganism) within it. There is also a sense of geometry trying to control the curve, which I suppose in itself is a Christian quality. Seeing the beauty of the world in a regulated form. New builds of that time (1120 - 1500) were a trial and error affair, taking years and costing lives.




The building exteriors have a clear vernacular. They are extravert and fantastic. Kings College (1441) built in the parallel, perpendicular style. Its vertical lines imposing its importance on all who surround it. Even the much smaller market cross in Chichester flamboyantly marks the centre of the city. It has a symbiotic relationship with aspect and prospect. Providing aspect to users and being a focal prospect.

 


Groin vaults were replaced by rib vaults during the gothic period. Masons found that ribs added strength, creating a key characteristic of gothic architecture. Subsequently, more ribs and ornamentation were added, eventually becoming the fan vault.

 


Arches were also a prominent feature of the time. The arch spreads wait out and down. The addition of a buttress and pointing the arch allowed the building to become taller and thinner. Allowing more visual space and light. Walls became thinner and larger openings appeared. Arches were supported by columns; their capitals began highly ornamented then slowly became more refined.



 

 Windows in the gothic period became larger and more ornate. Stain glass was used to entertain and inform the general public, who were primarily illiterate. They were held together by tracery, a sculptural form based on byzantine pierced marble screens. Some of the pattern and symmetry used in the windows is reminiscent of the detail in Celtic decoration.

 


Like stained glass, windows sculpture was used to entertain and inform. Saints and holy men adorned architecture as well as natural elements. 

 

Thinking about the task

I had already looked at Gothic architecture in one of the previous blog posts. So I used this post as an opportunity to explore the Gothic movement in more detail. Learning technical language and understanding how the period developed.

Bibliography

 

Carol Davidson Cragoe (2018). How to read buildings : a crash course in architecture. London: Herbert Press.

 

chichestercity.gov.uk. (n.d.). Market Cross | Chichester City Council. [online] Available at: https://chichestercity.gov.uk/the-council/history/market-cross/ [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

 

Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Gothic art - High Gothic. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-art/High-Gothic.

 

Harwood, A. (n.d.). The Novium Museum - Chichester’s Market Cross. [online] www.thenovium.org. Available at: https://www.thenovium.org/article/28846/Chichesters-Market-Cross [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

 

http://byassociationonly.com, B.A.O. - (2019). King’s College Video to Launch New £100 Million Campaign. [online] Cambridge Filmworks. Available at: https://www.cambridgefilmworks.com/kings-college-video [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

 

Kelly, E. (2011). Gothic buildings: a spotters’ guide. The Guardian. [online] 9 Sep. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2011/sep/10/gothic-buildings-spotters-guide [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

 

Mark, J.J. (2018). Book of Kells. [online] World History Encyclopedia. Available at: https://www.worldhistory.org/Book_of_Kells/.

 

Reims Cathedral | cathedral, Reims, France | Britannica. (2019). In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Reims-Cathedral.

 

Richman-Abdou, K. (2017). What We Can Learn From the Exquisite History and Ornate Aesthetic of Gothic Architecture. [online] My Modern Met. Available at: https://mymodernmet.com/gothic-architecture-characteristics/2/.

 

Salter, P. (2010). The romantic and pragmatic history of the fan vault has lessons for contemporary structures. [online] Architectural Review. Available at: https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/the-romantic-and-pragmatic-history-of-the-fan-vault-has-lessons-for-contemporary-structures.

 

tracery | Definition & Facts | Britannica. (2019). In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/tracery.

Reference list

Carol Davidson Cragoe (2018). How to read buildings : a crash course in architecture. London: Herbert Press.

chichestercity.gov.uk. (n.d.). Market Cross | Chichester City Council. [online] Available at: https://chichestercity.gov.uk/the-council/history/market-cross/ [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Gothic art - High Gothic. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-art/High-Gothic.

Harwood, A. (n.d.). The Novium Museum - Chichester’s Market Cross. [online] www.thenovium.org. Available at: https://www.thenovium.org/article/28846/Chichesters-Market-Cross [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

http://byassociationonly.com, B.A.O. - (2019). King’s College Video to Launch New £100 Million Campaign. [online] Cambridge Filmworks. Available at: https://www.cambridgefilmworks.com/kings-college-video [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

Kelly, E. (2011). Gothic buildings: a spotters’ guide. The Guardian. [online] 9 Sep. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2011/sep/10/gothic-buildings-spotters-guide [Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].

Mark, J.J. (2018). Book of Kells. [online] World History Encyclopedia. Available at: https://www.worldhistory.org/Book_of_Kells/.

Reims Cathedral | cathedral, Reims, France | Britannica. (2019). In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Reims-Cathedral.

Richman-Abdou, K. (2017). What We Can Learn From the Exquisite History and Ornate Aesthetic of Gothic Architecture. [online] My Modern Met. Available at: https://mymodernmet.com/gothic-architecture-characteristics/2/.

Salter, P. (2010). The romantic and pragmatic history of the fan vault has lessons for contemporary structures. [online] Architectural Review. Available at: https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/the-romantic-and-pragmatic-history-of-the-fan-vault-has-lessons-for-contemporary-structures.

tracery | Definition & Facts | Britannica. (2019). In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/tracery.

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