Answering other questions about Gothic architecture - AP Art History

Gothic architecture dominated between the fall of Rome in the fifth century CE and the rise of the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. Gothic architecture was notable for large, ornate stone structures with many elements and imposing figures. All of these are best seen in the many Gothic cathedrals that allowed architects and designers their most control over the shape of buildings.

A key feautre of Gothic churches is their extreme height. This verticality was partly for show, but more importantly symbolized an attempt to reach heaven. For many centuries, Gothic cathedrals were the tallest buildings in Europe.

The centermost sweeping area of the church is the nave. Its length is what contributes to the rectangular nature of the plan. The aisles are what give the church its cross shape, and the transepts are the outcroppings on the sides. The apex is the half-circle at the top of the nave across from the doors, and is where the church official would stand.

The gothic cathedral in general was a display of grand architecture and ornate visual elements, and the church was dominant over the state at that time. But the best answer is the Catholic church's tradition and value in Gothic society. The churches were not meant to impose dominance over secular law, at least not directly; what they were meant to do is reach towards the heavens, encompass the Catholic's desire to be close to God and to build a holy space as grand as one could.

Three is perhaps the most powerful number in the Catholic world, representing the holy trinity. Gothic cathedrals often featured three doors- a center door as well as two flanking doors. It was believed that one walked in the door a sinner (these were the flanking doors) and walked back out through the grand center doors absolved of their sins in the eyes of God.

The cathedral does have a baptistry attached, as was tradition by the time it was completed. There are likely also s-curved figures in the space, as that was the figural building tradition of the time. Bell towers were not featured as much in Gothic architecture, although a spire could have a bell within it. As Gothic cathedrals grew more ornate, square bell towers became spindly and graceful spires, built as high as they could reach. This cathedral, though, does not feature this element.

While all of the above choices are aspects of Gothic architecture, flying buttresses are the innovation that allowed for newfound structural stability in Gothic cathedral architecture by pushing the weight of the building outward. Cathedral walls did not have to be as large or as thick any longer, allowing for larger windows (often filled with stained glass). These windows helped to create brighter interiors in comparison to the dim and damp interiors of pre-Gothic cathedrals.

Gothic architecture is known for being much more vertically-oriented than its predecessor, the Romanesque architecture movement. It is also known for its pointed arches and expansive interior lighting.

Gothic architecture experienced a revival in England, which spread to Europe, and even reached the United States at one point. It has mostly been used for academic institutions and churches/cathedrals.

Neoclassicism is a revival of Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman art and architecture, but Neoclassicism itself never experience a revival, as it has remained somewhat popular through the 21st century.

Although the Gothic period and the Renaissance coincided -meaning, at one point in time, they were occurring simultaneously- Gothic architecture was not inspired by the Renaissance during the 12th and 13th centuries, as the Renaissance did not begin until the 14th century.

Cathedrals, and many churches, built in Western Europe during the Middle Ages were usually set out in a cruciform, or cross shape. Chartres Cathedral, while featuring a wider transcept, or shorter branching of the cross, follows this pattern as well. Chartres Cathedral differed from other Gothic cathedrals in having a more uniform height for its arcade, triforium, and clerestory levels, the arches on the interior's walls.

Gothic architecture dominated between the fall of Rome in the fifth century CE and the rise of the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. Gothic architecture was notable for large, ornate stone structures with many elements and imposing figures. All of these are best seen in the many Gothic cathedrals that allowed architects and designers their most control over the shape of buildings.

A key feautre of Gothic churches is their extreme height. This verticality was partly for show, but more importantly symbolized an attempt to reach heaven. For many centuries, Gothic cathedrals were the tallest buildings in Europe.

The centermost sweeping area of the church is the nave. Its length is what contributes to the rectangular nature of the plan. The aisles are what give the church its cross shape, and the transepts are the outcroppings on the sides. The apex is the half-circle at the top of the nave across from the doors, and is where the church official would stand.

The gothic cathedral in general was a display of grand architecture and ornate visual elements, and the church was dominant over the state at that time. But the best answer is the Catholic church's tradition and value in Gothic society. The churches were not meant to impose dominance over secular law, at least not directly; what they were meant to do is reach towards the heavens, encompass the Catholic's desire to be close to God and to build a holy space as grand as one could.

Three is perhaps the most powerful number in the Catholic world, representing the holy trinity. Gothic cathedrals often featured three doors- a center door as well as two flanking doors. It was believed that one walked in the door a sinner (these were the flanking doors) and walked back out through the grand center doors absolved of their sins in the eyes of God.

The cathedral does have a baptistry attached, as was tradition by the time it was completed. There are likely also s-curved figures in the space, as that was the figural building tradition of the time. Bell towers were not featured as much in Gothic architecture, although a spire could have a bell within it. As Gothic cathedrals grew more ornate, square bell towers became spindly and graceful spires, built as high as they could reach. This cathedral, though, does not feature this element.

While all of the above choices are aspects of Gothic architecture, flying buttresses are the innovation that allowed for newfound structural stability in Gothic cathedral architecture by pushing the weight of the building outward. Cathedral walls did not have to be as large or as thick any longer, allowing for larger windows (often filled with stained glass). These windows helped to create brighter interiors in comparison to the dim and damp interiors of pre-Gothic cathedrals.

Gothic architecture is known for being much more vertically-oriented than its predecessor, the Romanesque architecture movement. It is also known for its pointed arches and expansive interior lighting.