Week 6: Gothic

The Gothic era was a bridge gap between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance era. This era focused on designs that brought royal patronage to churches and was the introduction of the use of tresses, stained glass, ribbed vaults, and so much more. The designs for the furniture expanded from the architecture with chairs featuring pointed arches, trefoils, finials, quatrefoils, and tracery giving them a royal look as well as representing a level of authority. The interior spaces were designed in a way so that they could use sunlight to bring out the bright and colorful colors of the stained glass surrounding these chapels.

Sainte-Chappelle

The Sainte Chappelle was a private chapel in Paris, that used a rayonnant gothic style with its design and was one of the most important Gothic glass monuments. Since the chapel was private it was smaller than others, it had a single pathway with four small bays and a seven-side apse. Three-fourths of the walls contained glass that displayed symbolic panels as well as illuminating the interior of the building giving it a bright aesthetic look. This chapel housed Jesus' Crown of Thorns, as well as other relics from the crucifixion of Jesus like a wooden piece and nail from the true cross. The chapel was designed beautifully reflecting its purpose, to bring worshippers closer to Jesus with the glass panels representing stories of the bible and possessing some of Christianity's most sacred artifacts.

Current Application: Basilica de la Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain is a religious church similar to the Sainte Chapelle. It uses stained glass to bring out color and light to symbolize a heavenly atmosphere. The design in the glass symbolizes elements of the Christian Faith.

The Coronation Chair

Located in the Westminster Abbey Church in London, England, the Coronation chair is used in ceremonies to crown a new monarch. This wooden chair is raised by two platforms and has a triangular backdrop for the frame, and golden lions for the feet. These features give the chair a commanding presence and a regal look. This chair immediately caught my eye, as it was supposed to, and it had a design that felt was for the highest order.

Current Application: Takamikura Throne

The Takamikra Throne, also known as the Throne of the Emperor of Japan, is located in the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. This throne is used to enthrone the Japanese Emperor. Like the Coronation chair, it represents a symbol of authority with it being placed on a large platform with steps leading to the throne while also having a regal look.

Notre Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) is a historic cathedral located in the center of Paris, France. It's renowned for its Gothic architecture, featuring two towers connected, three portals, arcading, voussoirs, rounded windows, and tympana. The interior is also beautiful containing soaring ceilings and stunning glass windows, including the famous rose window, that depict scenes from the bible.

Current Application: St. Patricks Cathedral

St. Patrick's Cathedral uses the Ghotiuc Revival in its design. It has a lot of structural similarities with it having pointed arches, twin towers, and stained glass around the interior, and like Notre Dame the Cathedral is also placed in the center of its respected city New York.  This Cathredal looks like an alternate version of the Notre Dame de Paris.

One Step Further: Pierre de Montreuil

Pierre de Montreuil was a French Architect who played an important role in developing Gothic Architecture in Paris. His most popular contributions to Gothic Architecture would be the Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame de Paris, and Abbey of Saint-Denis. While he wasn’t the first to use them, his work with stained glass elevated the spiritual experience of Cathedrals. His work was defined as the high point of Gothic designs in medieval France.

Extra Links:

• Sainte Chappelle : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=828f2Tlojvc

• The Coronation Chair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vawWBui4_kM