Gothic Cathedrals Essay

medieval architecture flourished during the Medieval times or midpoint Ages. It evolves from the Romanesque style of architecture. The best example of black letter architecture are the mediaeval duomos, specifically the La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral in France and the Salisbury Cathedral in England. This paper provide discuss the main and identifiable features of gothic Cathedrals and research the changes and evolution in floor plans and sculptural program of the exterior of the perform from a stylistic and conceptual point of view.It will also condone how Christian religions require and preoccupations changed overtime by victimization the buildings of La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral. II. Identifiable features pointed arch, flying buttresses and ribbed overreaching The three most noticeable characteristic of Gothic Cathedrals are its aggrandizement (tall), spaciousness and good ventilation (light). This is make possible by the ontogeny of naked as a ja ybird style technology, the pointed arch, flying buttresses and the ribbed neglecting.Prior to the use of pointed arch, the roofs of church servicees in the olden times were supported with a rounded arch. However, architects discovered that with a pointed arch, they can build taller buildings. With a higher building came a new type of buttress that takes care of the freight of the roof by support the walls from the outside by leaning arches called flying buttresses which are usually dictated one above the other. As a result walls could be made taller and less massive, enabling a wide expanse of wall outer space for stained-meth windows.Meanwhile, the musical theme of ribbed vaulting also becomes popular. Instead of the groin 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 spark material (Dudley & Faricy, 1973, p. 291-295 Perry, 1988, p. 189). With the adoption of these three technological styles, the Gothic cathedrals as compared to the somber, lousiness churches that preceded it are much higher, lighter and to a greater extent spacious making it more inviting for the Christians.On the other hand, the concept of allowing more light inside the church is derived from the concept that God is imperfect. As much as possible partitions in the floor plans were removed so that a dazzling light will emanate 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 importance of Christian religion in a someones life especially that it towers above all other buildings environ it.Such are the qualities and impression that La Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral projects. Both 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 fashionable french monarch, Louise IX. La Sainte-Chapelle is elaborately decorated, the elaborate ornamentation conveying the idea of the riches of the church and hence the prosperity of the Kingdom (Scott, 2003, p. 21-23 Vauchez, 2000, p. 1228).II. Reflection of Christian needs and Preoccupation 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 rancor of these unfavorable conditions, the Christians took the effort to make a big church, as an flavour of their Christian devotion.One notable feature of Gothic stained glass windows, as seen in the two cathedrals, are the paintings of Biblical characters. The primary character why they paint them all over the walls is so that the illiterate could drawing out what was written in the Bible (Perry, 1 988, 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.The facade of Gothic cathedrals are also elaborately decorated using sculptured merciful figures ( saints ,kings and peasant life) as the main features, illustrating their growing interest in secular 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, urging whoever will pay loyalty or pilgrimage to the church not to admire its gold or cost but to focus their attention to Christ ( Dudley, 1974, p. 291 Scott, 2003, pp. 47-48) .II. Conclusion Gothic Cathedrals, like the Salisbury Cathedral and La Sainte-Chapelle, are the best vox of Gothic art. The knowledge of new style of architectural technology by using a pointed arch, flying but tresses and ribbed vaulting paved the guidance for a taller , more spacious and well-lighted or ventilated churches. It erased indeed 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.In spite of the presence of wars, famines and epidemics, this ambitious project was embarked on, signifying the Christian devotion of the people of the Medieval era. whole kit and caboodle CitedDudley, Louise and Austin Faricy. The Humanities, 5th edition. New 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 Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral. Berkeley University of California Press, 2003. Vauchez, Andre, and et al. encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages. New York Routledge, 2000.