WEEK 6: GOTHIC

 WEEK 6: GOTHIC ERA

This era mainly applied to religious buildings in incorporating gothic architecture.

Churches were the center of city life. The larger the community, the larger the worship space must be.




Construction of the Cathedral Notre Dame began in 1163.




The Notre Dame is a Catholic Church located in Paris. Outsanding features include pointed arches, large rose windows, and biblical sculptural additions.

    TRACERY

Tracery is a delicate process of design making.



GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS:
-Pointed Arches                
-Ribbed Vaults
-flying buttresses


CURRENT APPLICATIONS



ROCKEFELLER MEMORIAL CHAPEL- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO 

This is the MEMORIAL CHAPEL at University of Chicago. It serves as a cultural center and ceremonial cub for the university. Gothic Revival was clearly heavily influenced in the design making.
This was built between 1925-1928 by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. He actually passed away before it was finished getting built. Neo-Style space to seat 1700 people!

- It includes the tower: 200 ft bell tower.
-includes gargoyles, grotesques, and some symbolic figures that blend religious and academic ideas.


ONE STEP FURTHER 
SIMONE MARTINI - Italian Gothic Painter
-not much of his life is documented
-passed away while in the service of the Papal court at Avignon in 1344

The Papal Court? It is a chapel that consists of ecclesiastics who participate in the religious ceremonies of their liturgical vestments according to their rank and office.



The angel of annunciatoin was his most famous painting that he worked alongside with his brother. 
Martini's work focused on symbolism and devotion to his faith in his works rather than focusing too much on skill and realism. Regardless, his passion and talent radiate through his works. I love that although his personal life isnt known, HIS WORK STILL IS! Thats how influential I want my passions in this world to endure. 


Close up detail of the painting of the angel of annunciation.


CONCLUSION
The Gothic Era shows how much faith, community, and creativity shaped buildings and art. With pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, churches like Notre Dame became both beautiful and meaningful places for worship. Later revivals, like the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, prove that the Gothic style kept inspiring even after the Middle Ages. Artists such as Simone Martini also carried the spirit of the era through symbolic and faith-filled works. Today, Gothic details can still be seen not only in churches but also in schools, libraries, and other civic buildings, showing how its dramatic and detailed style continues to influence modern architecture.

Comments

  1. Abigail FosterOctober 2, 2025 at 5:37 PM

    The Rockerfeller Memorial Chapel is beautiful! I love how rib vaults are still being used in modern days, and the red tapestries add a unique element.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ruth HernandezOctober 3, 2025 at 7:31 AM

    I like how you describe the Gothic period and show the uniqueness of it in your pictures

    ReplyDelete
  3. Allyssa PotterOctober 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM

    I appreciate how you connvected gothic architure from middle ages to later examples like the rockefeller memorial chapel. Your point about how faith and community creativity inspired buildings was great!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Professor VanderNoordaaOctober 4, 2025 at 11:51 AM

    Veronica,
    Your Blog was very interesting to me. You summarized the material well and added great images to support your material. I enjoyed your section on "Tracery". I also enjoyed the information on the Rockerfeller Memorial chapel. SIMONE MARTINI was an interesting artist to look at. I really appreciate that you want to make a strong contribution to the world in what you do! 50/50 points

    ReplyDelete

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