Table of Contents
Historical context and significant figures
Site context
Structure of Notre Dame de Paris & Typical Gothic Constructions
Materials and light
Gothic Elements
In conclusion
Historical context and significant figures
Architecture evolved dynamically through the middle ages. The French Gothic architecture movement brought new and more elaborate structures to the world. The majority of these cathedrals were built by their local residents and took hundreds of hours to complete. In order to make the structure’s limits more accessible, skilled craftsmen built tall walls from as few stones as possible. Modern society can look to these structures today and wonder at the “magic” that they used to build huge, intricate stone ceilings on top a large number of glass windows. These were the limits Romanesque architecture didn’t push. Romanesque architecture had strong walls, which were almost fortress-like. Gothic design and style outdid it. Romanesque architecture evolved to a form more perfect than the one it was originally. This allowed gravity to hold it steady. French Gothic architecture is not only distinguished by its structure elements but also because it has a lot of ornaments that are new and unique to this day. Abbot Suger was the first person to incorporate renown gothic elements into a cathedral.
Abbot Suger served as the abbot of Saint Denis’ French Abbey Church of Saint Denis between 1122-1151. Abbot Suger, in the twelfth-century, commissioned reconstruction of parts of the church with decorative features and a new strategy for its construction. Multiple texts discuss Suger’s influence upon Gothic architecture. According to the text Gothic Art 1140c-1450.Sources. Documents by Teresa Grace Frisch, Suger, abbot de Saint-Denis, was responsible for the commissioning and direct the building of the first Gothic structure. His passion in every phase was the reason he became a patron of the arts. He also had rare intelligence and an intuitive ability of evaluating the artistic attempts of his time.
Lindy Grant, author Abbot Suger at St-Denis supports the same idea. Her text states that Suger is the one who built much of Saint-Denis’ new abbey. Later, intricate and elaborate details were used to create terrifying, menacing gargoyles and web-like flyingbuttresses. Suger also created the ambulatory, an aisle behind the alter. Pilgrims could stop in the small chapels and rooms with significant religious artifacts by using the ambulatory. These rooms were normally isolated by walls or barriers, until Suger. Suger decided to conceal the walls behind colorful windows to allow light through, and open up the space. Lindy grant supports the idea by writing again.
“The arrangement of its architectural components was what was unique about the westfront, as I’ve said. The luminous, elegant ambulatory does the same. It starts a long series of variations on its architectural theme: the twin-towered, triple portal and the column figure.
Suger initiated and led an architectural and artistic movement that influenced and changed how buildings were built. The Basilica of Saint-Denis saw a dramatic change in architecture in a period when buildings were not as bright, colorful, or decorated. Suger decided, much like King Dagobert I’s wishes, to make Saint Denis’ rest a respectable, honorary place that allows for the feeling of being at the crossroads to God, the Almighty, and Heaven. He achieved this by light, color and space.
Site contextSaint Denis was a famous Christian saint who, after being decapitated due to his love for and devotion to his faith played an important role in the creation of Paris (Lutetia). According to legend, Saint Denis died after being decapitated. He then walked many miles to the chapel where he was buried. Paris, a Gallic tribe, was emerging as a major regional settlement. Julius Caesar called it Lutetia at that time. Historians and researchers are still unable to provide a definitive answer to the question of why Lutetia was named Gallo-Roman City. Based on Celtic root word definitions, however there are theories as to what this term might actually mean. The root, lutoo- or luteuoo- is an example of this. It means “marsh”, swamp and maybe even dirty. People speculate that Lutetia’s name may be related to Celtic roots. It was established between 400 BCE and 300 BCE. This settlement was divided into two sections: one part was north, and one part was south. But the majority of it was constructed on the Seine’s south bank. It is known as the Montagne Sainte-Genevieve. Julius Caesar invaded the territory of Lutetia and Gaul around 51-53 BCE. Lutetia had been one of only a few northern European communities that converted Christianity within the last century. Following the Gallic tribe, the Parisii changed the name of Lutetia to Paris in 360 AD. The Ile de France is home to the beautiful Basilica of St. Denis. However, it should not be confused with the actual Ile de la Cite island which lies across the Seine River. Ile de France includes eight different regions, Essonne, Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne, and Yvelines. The total population of France is around 18 percent in this collection, which includes Paris. Ile de la Cite itself, an island, is also home to French Gothic architecture. The cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris, was constructed on the island.
Structure of Notre Dame de Paris et Typical Gothic StructuresNotre Dame de Paris stands to represent “Our lady of Paris”; it was built in Paris’ fourth arrondissement, France, in 1163. Maurice de Sully had the original cathedral demolished in 1160. It was rebuilt by successive generations until 1345. Its glory and original structure remained intact until the French Revolution when it was destroyed and demolished. Eugene Violletle-Duc started a large restoration project in 1845. It is today the most famous example of French Gothic Architecture. As with many other structures, this cathedral’s is geometrically perfect. However, they also managed to create a structure that was less heavy but still has enough support.
Otto von Simson wrote in The Gothic Cathedral. The Origins of Gothic Architecture. The Medieval Concept of Order. Even a quick glance at Gothic architectural sketches …” (Simson 13,) reveals this. These craftsmen were amazing. These cathedrals were built with the highest level of craftsmanship before technology and tools. They used a secret mathematical code from the bible to create the cathedrals. The buttresses may not be used if they have too many stress points. Buttresses can be placed in a way that prevents the stones from pushing forward. Gothic architecture is the next style to be used in building arches. Pointed arches have a greater strength than round arches. Because the stress lines are too strong, the arch will tend to collapse if it is under too much pressure. A pointed Gothic arch’s stress lines point towards the ground and follow the natural force gravity. These arches are more stable. A rib vault ceiling ceiling was another innovative idea that allowed builders and architects to work around the limitations of Notre Dame. Philip Ball writes in Universe of Stone: “In the first tenth of the eleventh-century, churches had roofs and ceilings of timber.” The Cluniancs introduced stone vaults to their buildings, which were built on a framework of arches… (Ball 27,). It was dangerous and difficult to construct a ceiling or dome during the Gothic era without a more secure plan. They created a wooden frame and used “centering” to put the mortar blocks on top. Once the mortar had dried, they then moved the framework from one bay to another. They learned the right technique and this strategy proved to be more efficient. Robert A Scott’s book The Gothic Enterprise: A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral explains that lime mortar is used to bond the stone courses that make up the walls and pillars at Salisbury Cathedral. This mortar was made from water added to a mixture consisting of quicklime and sand. It was also a byproduct of?ring-ordinary chalk.” (Scott 23, 23).
Materials and LightLutetian Limestone, also known as Paris Limestone, is another primary material. This paris limestone is beautiful in its colors and gives life to gothic architectures. This stone is said that it can illuminate “the City of Light” and can also be used to build buildings. This Paris stone is used to make Gothic structures. The limestone has a fairytale-like quality and shimmers. Concrete, on the other hand, is plain and does not display such grandeur.
The revolution in light, specifically colored light, was brought about by the rise of Gothic architecture. Architekten and builders were so concerned about light, they thought that windows should not pierce walls but rather cause them to disappear. This architectural movement was characterized by the importance of windows and tracery. The cathedrals were enchanting and mystical in a way that was not possible to imagine at the time.
This majestic power and beauty was an ever-evolving force that Saint Denis and Abbot Suger felt should be included in the religious atmosphere of the cathedral, where visitors seek to connect to god.
Abbot Suger endorsed this idea by writing on the bronze doors to St. Denis Cathedral, “Marvel at the gold, the expense, but craftsmanship of the work… Should brighten minds, so that the traveler may, through the True Lights where Christ is the True Door… The construction of an open space that allows for the flood of color and windows that tell stories of Christ’s life, is believed that it can help connect and transport the person to a state or divinity. Light is thought to help people “move away from contemplation towards the light of god” and improve their insight. The glowing light from the church emits a beautiful aura, which evokes a greater spiritual experience.
Structurally colored light is thought to unify and deemphasize interiors of buildings, concealing otherwise obvious cathedral elements. Stucco windows that display scenes from God’s lives are one support example. Images of revelations, Christ’s birth, Mystic Mill and Virgin Mary are just a few examples of typical scenes that you might see. The beauty and commonality in the Virgin Mary’s life seem to be the most prominent feature. There is a beautiful stained glass window that depicts Mary in Notre Dame de Chartres. It is called “Notre Dame de la Belle Vernere” and it is truly remarkable. Individuals are more appreciative for its uniqueness. The scene shown here is fairly straightforward. However, you will find other stained-glass windows with more complicated stories. Each of them is significant for their craft and because they helped educate guests who couldn’t read or write. Because these windows are thin, the walls were practically made of them. Gothic structures are famous for being vertically built and extremely tall. These stained glass windows are dominated by their high height.
Rose windows are a central feature of a Gothic cathedral. A rose window is a stained-glass wheel that reflects light in an immense amount. The rose windows are a symbol representing gothic beauty. Every element of the rose windows is perfectly symmetrical and measured equally. The equilateral triangles, squares, and circles were used to create the rose window. These are just a few examples of how they created the famous rose windows. These five shapes, which are called trefoil and quatrefoil as well as cinquefoil and cinquefoil respectively, are all symmetrically perfect. This was a novel idea that no architect had before the Gothic middle-ages. Gothic architecture gave new life to the wheel and opened up new possibilities for what a cathedral could be.
Gothic tracery allowed for more creativity, but still maintained a high level of accuracy. It was often very extravagant. Tracery describes the stonework elements used to support glass in gothic windows. Flamboyant means wavy flamelike tracery with ornate decorations. As tracery evolved from Romanesque into Gothic, it became much more elaborated and decorative. The tracery was not as detailed and elegant as the wheel spokes.
The gargoyles, with their decorative grotesques, were not created solely for aesthetics, but to serve a practical purpose. The buildings became more elaborate and needed a roof draining system. They desired a waterpout that would follow the architectural pattern of the building. They were practical, but gargoyles as well as their friends, grotesque had a spiritual significance. The illiterate people walking by the cathedral might have believed that they needed to go there because they could be chased by the flying creatures at night.
Gothic architecture’s exterior facades and doors also feature stories and sculptures. The cathedral’s facade can be considered a library. All of the advice and knowledge is displayed in pictures, so that anyone who cannot read may admire it. Notre Dame de Paris’s west facade is a great example. The three main entrances to Notre Dame are known as portals. The center portal depicts “The Last Judgment,” it was the last to be completed. The portal’s lowest lintel portrays the dead rising out from their graves. On the upper lintel Archangel Michael weighs out their souls. Depending on what life they had, they would be sent to Heaven or Hell. The middle door scene depicts that. The story of the Virgin is told through the portal to the left. The middle section of a lintel shows Mary dying in her bed, surrounded Jesus and the twelve apostles. Angels are about to bring Mary to heaven. As Mary shares a throne in heaven with Jesus, the upper part depicts Mary as a queen. The Portal of St. Anne, is the third and final door. This portal shows many scenes from the birth of Jesus, including the annunciation and nativity as well as the epiphany.
These sculptures were constructed with more realistic figures. A few figures remain godlike and unrealistic, despite their extended bodies and unrealistic form. It makes them appear floating. Gothic Architecture’s art movement was really important and was literally depicted in every section of the structure.
ConclusionFrench Gothic Architecture has changed the way we see a structure and its charm. It doesn’t matter when it was built or what tools were used to construct it. Many people have been influenced by the Gallic tribe’s association with Gothic Architecture. They associate it with dark and vulgar things. Gothic Architecture doesn’t have to be associated negatively. This was because they had a lot of fun with color and light. Today, many aspects, plans, styles and designs are influenced greatly by Gothic Architecture’s core ideas.
