'Gothic Cathedrals Essay\r'

' Gothic architecture flourished during the Medieval measure or Middle Ages. It evolves from the Romanesque room of architecture. The dress hat example of Gothic architecture argon the Gothic duomos, specifically the La Sainte-Chapelle cathedral in France and the Salisbury Cathedral in England. This paper will discuss the main(prenominal) and identifiable ingests of Gothic Cathedrals and explore the changes and exploitation in radical plans and sculptural computer program of the exterior of the church service from a stylistic and conceptual point of view.\r\nIt will overly explain how Christian religion’s needs and preoccupations changed overtime by employ the structures of La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral. II. identifiable features: pointed arch, prompt thattressinges and knit bound The trio most noticeable characteristic of Gothic Cathedrals ar its height ( lanky), hugeness and cheeseparing ventilation (light). This is made possible b y the development of innovative style technology, the pointed arch, flying buttresses and the ribbed vaulting.\r\nPrior to the use of pointed arch, the roofs of churches in the olden times were supported with a rounded arch. However, architects discovered that with a pointed arch, they hatful build taller buildings. With a higher building came a new type of buttress that takes c be of the charge of the roof by supporting the walls from the outside by tip arches called â€Å"flying buttresses” which are usually lay one above the some other. As a result walls could be made taller and little massive, enabling a wide sweep oar of wall space for stained-glass windows.\r\nMeanwhile, the idea of ribbed vaulting also becomes popular. Instead of the rampart vault of the Romanesque period, the Gothic architects discovered that ribs (diagonal arches) could be built that would support the entire weight of the roof. The space between the ribs could then be filled in with lighter cloth (Dudley & Faricy, 1973, p. 291-295; Perry, 1988, p. 189). With the adoption of these three expert styles, the Gothic cathedrals as compared to the somber, dark churches that preceded it are a lot higher, lighter and more spacious making it more inviting for the Christians.\r\nOn the other hand, the concept of allowing more light intimate the church is derived from the concept that God is readable. As much as possible partitions in the floor plans were removed so that a dazzling light will come from the choir toward the congregation. Moreover, the concept of building tall churches with tall towers and spires conveys the idea of the supremacy and grandness of Christian religion in a person’s life oddly that it towers above all other buildings surround it.\r\nSuch are the qualities and impression that La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral projects. both(prenominal) two cathedrals still uses the cross floor plans, the Salisbury cathedral, however , though it contained two transepts, is much simpler than the La Sainte-Chapelle which was built upon the order of the groovy French monarch, Louise IX. La Sainte-Chapelle is perplexly decorated, the elaborate ornamentation conveying the idea of the wealth of the church and hence the prosperity of the domain (Scott, 2003, p. 21-23; Vauchez, 2000, p. 1228).\r\nII. Reflection of Christian needs and intentness of the Middle Ages The Gothic cathedrals, although took many years (even centuries) to build, first began to be created during the Middle ages, a time characterized by feudal wars ,famine and epidemics. In spite of these unfavorable conditions, the Christians took the effort to ca-ca a big church, as an manner of their Christian devotion.\r\nOne notable feature of Gothic stained glass windows, as seen in the two cathedrals, are the blushing mushroomings of scriptural characters. The primary purpose why they paint them all over the walls is so that the semiliterate could picture out what was written in the Bible (Perry, 1988, 189). Le Sainte-Chapelle, howvere, housed important Christian relics collected by Louise IX signifying the preoccupations of the rich Christian monarchs with anything regarding Christianity.\r\nThe facade of Gothic cathedrals are also elaborately decorated victimization sculptured human figures ( saints ,kings and peasant life) as the main features, illustrating their growing interest in humanism ideas ( human life and accomplishments) as it replace the usual carvings of animals, fruits and other figures. The stratum of Christ, specifically his incarnation, decorate the entrance of the church, prodding whoever will pay homage or pilgrimage to the church not to venerate its gold or cost but to focus their attention to Christ ( Dudley, 1974, p. 291; Scott, 2003, pp. 47-48) .\r\nII. finale Gothic Cathedrals, like the Salisbury Cathedral and La Sainte-Chapelle, are the best exercise of Gothic art. The knowledge of new style o f architectural technology by exploitation a pointed arch, flying buttresses and ribbed vaulting paved the way for a taller , more spacious and well-lighted or vent churches. It erased therefore the somber, gloomy aura of the Romanesque churches, and the new concept of God as Light and Supreme was successfully incorporated into the church structure.\r\nIn spite of the presence of wars, famines and epidemics, this enterprising project was embarked on, signifying the Christian devotion of the passel of the Medieval era.\r\nWorks Cited\r\nDudley, Louise and Austin Faricy. The Humanities, fifth edition. young York: McGraw-Hill Company, 1973. Perry, Marvin. A History of the World. New York: Houghton-Mifflin, Inc, 1988. Scott, Robert A. The Gothic Enterprise: A carry to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003. Vauchez, Andre, and et al. cyclopedia of the Middle Ages. New York: Routledge, 2000.\r\n'