Gothic Style Architecture Issues - Research Paper Example

August 4, Gothic Architecture Goth is being branded by the young contemporary generation as somethingdark, emotional and spooky. To some extent, Goth is also used as a fashion statement and as a human condition. However, Goth cannot be confined within the aforementioned conditions. Goth has emerged also an architectural style that boomed in the 1200s. It flourished mostly in Europe but their influences are still somehow relevant until today. The architectural movement lasted for almost one and a half century and the edifices are still present until now. (White, 1993) The style is considered to be classical to some extent because it is prominent before the renaissance period came in. At the same time, it originated and had several modifications that were derived from the Romanesque Architecture. (Athena Publications, 1996) This style flourished during the Middle Ages, also known as Dark Ages. The most prominent and influential powers are the Church and the King. Feudal System flourished as well. In most cases, religion has a strong say about what happens in the society back then. However, Gothic period is also reflective of the low status of art during those times. (Thomas, 2000) Most of the Tribes of Goths, Vandals and the like had an intention of eliminating the Greco-Roman culture. (Thomas, 2000) Gothic Architecture was preceded by the Romanesque Architectural which also had arches and several huge domes. To some perspective, the Romanesque style influenced the way Gothic architecture presented itself in history. Mostly, the Romanesque Architecture had its traditions and conventions derived from the Greco-Roman Architectural style. (Athena Publications, 1996) Given that case, we cannot fully consider Gothic art and architecture as something that is highly valued. It’s dark stigma and stereotype manifests the dark period where it is confined and existed. However, despite of its depreciation from the people during that period, specifically the tribes, this downfall period is reflective of the exchange of light and dark art periods: Classical to Renaissance then to Baroque. (Thomas, 2000) Classical is more of dark, emotional themes and style in contrast to Renaissance which is more humanist and scientific. The Baroque which also values shadow and emotions are somehow related to the dark style the perpetrated the Classical or Gothic art and architecture period. What ultimately constitutes the conventions and technical aspects of the Gothic Architectural design? The Gothic Architecture is commonly known to have “specific structural elements, such as ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and the flying buttress.” (Kidson, 2011) Ribbed Vaults showed the ceiling structure that is somehow seen like a dome on the inside with intricate designs that are supported by the columns. (Athena Publications, 1996) These vaults provided a spacious ceiling that made the Gothic buildings spacious and huge not just outside but also inside. The pointed arches, on the other hand, are viewed on the external of these buildings. On the bare minimum, these arches contributed to the spacious appearance that is working in unison with the vaulted arches on the inside. At the same the arches also reflected the extravagance of the Gothic architecture. The flying buttresses have provided a different role in the existence of the Gothic Architecture. They are actually supporting the other structures of the Gothic Church, mainly the vault. (Athena Publications, 1996) They are usually attached to walls and act as a support to the vaults of the Gothic buildings. To some extent, they provide more spacious ceiling appearance. Even if Gothic Architecture has a certain specific style, several styles of it emanated depending on a specific geographical domain. All of them are relatively the same, however, the French, Italian and English Gothic Architectural design asserted their own identity. France is considered to be the birthplace of this architectural movement. At the same time, there was a strong assertion and nuancing that the Gothic Architecture cannot be confined to great church edifices. (Kidson, 2011) At the same time, “France, as the centre of the most intense, sustained activity, dominated developments. Yet French architecture did not provide the sole standard of evaluation for the rest of Europe; and Gothic architecture cannot be circumscribed by an exclusive set of forms or criteria.” (Kidson, 2011) “The French used of masonry vaults that necessitated complex systems of support, while the introduction of ribs produced a more intimate coordination of the vault with elevations that were articulated with networks of columnar shafts and mouldings. The pointed arch, which may have offered slight structural advantages relative to the semicircular arch, visually underscored verticality, and when combined with the ribbed vault, as at Durham Cathedral (1093–1133), created new potential for spatial expansion and integration.” (Kidson, 2011) In this case, the French architecture has more priority for insertions of new elements in the Gothic Architecture since they had put premium on space. Throughout the history of Gothic Architecture in France, there are always developments inserted and incorporated to the already existing architectural edifice. They keep on developing designs to achieve grandeur. In contrast to Italian architecture which is considered to be a very rich one in the 14th century, this shows an inherent assumption that Gothic design is considered of high standards. Professor White's book gives architecture equal weight with painting and sculpture. There has a thorough explanation of how Gothic and Renaissance are related and intertwined. Among the Gothic buildings are S. Croce, S. Maria Novella, the cathedral and the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, and the cathedrals of Siena, Orvieto, and Milan, as well as churches, castles, and civic buildings from the Val d'Aosta to Sicily. (White, 1993) “Italian builders and patrons generally showed little interest in the structural complexities or ornamental elaboration that animated French and English building in particular. Integrated into an approach that maintained its Early Christian and Romanesque identity, Gothic features were limited to window designs and pointed arches that produced a slightly more linear and vertical emphasis. Italian communes were indeed motivated by intense rivalry in the creation of impressive structures, but they tended to manufacture their images in terms of civic monuments and the Roman past rather than the royal models of the north.” (Kidson, 2011) In the case of Italy, there is politics involve as to how these Gothic buildings are designed. There is prime importance on the strong influence of the Roman Empire in the way they have designed their buildings. They are not focusing on the grandeur side of the Gothic but rather asserted grandeur through their slightly simpler conventions towards the design. The probable reason behind this difference is that France and England are ruled by monarchs in contrast to Italy in which secularization has a very strong influence. The English concept of Gothic is relatively the same as that of France. However, there are slight modifications that occurred to somehow suit the standards of the English people. There is a prime importance on space and luminosity. (Kidson, 2011) At the same time, the English Gothic design made a very big distinction as to how they ornamented the structures. Also, the Gothic Architecture has been used by the King to denote power and strong influence. Take note of the Westminster Abbey, the most famous church in U.K. which is patterned after the Gothic Architecture style. This is the greatest manifestation of the design of the Gothic architecture. Grandeur, Royalty and Power are the main grounds and origin of this building. (Gentleman and Carpenter, 1987) This gives a clear manifestation of the strong differences of Gothic Architecture in terms political power. At the same time, the interest of the British people in luminosity marks a very contrasting nature to the whole concept of Goth being dark. The Gothic Architectural styles, the same as the other architectural designs and concepts that existed cannot be confined in a single generalization. There have been variations and changes that occurred to suit the aesthetic standards in its areas of existence. Romanesque Architecture paved way for the development of Gothic Architecture. At the same time, there have been several developments that occurred along the way. It spread across Europe and their influences are still existent and relevant today. At the same time, Gothic also foreshadowed the rise of the Renaissance Period that actually replaced it due to differences in terms of ideologies, nature and concept that are in line with it. (Thomas, 2000) Even if Gothic is not that influential in the contemporary times, they still have a social relevance. The Westminster Abbey still holds a significant political history about Great Britain. It did not just spoke about the grand nature of their country but it still maintains the power systems or relations that still adhere to them until now. Their royalties are still that relevant despite of the modernity that has occurred. Also, Gothic was no longer confined in terms of Architectural structures in the contemporary times. The recent generation has interpreted the Gothic nature into something that will suit them. The emotional, dark nature of the Gothic Architecture is somehow reflected in terms of fashion, music and other artistic things. This shows that even if Gothic’s glory has passed, its strains of influence are still embedded to the society. History and development of Gothic Architecture teach us a very valuable lesson. It cannot be confined in a single standard because it is subjecting itself in conformity to the ideals and beliefs in a society. At the same time, Gothic cannot be considered extinct. Its values, approaches and relevance are still carried out in the modern times. This manifests that culture and art are changing, developing and evolving to suit the aesthetical standards that is subject to change as well. Gothic, no matter how dark its nature is, has shed its light of beauty for people to appreciate and understand. WORKS CITED White, John. Arts and Architecture in Italy 1250-1400. Yale University Press Pelican History of Art. 1993. Print. Peter Kidson, et al. "Gothic." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. 25 Jul. 2011. . Thomas, John. "The meaning of 'style' in traditional architecture: the case of Gothic." Journal of Architecture 5.3 (2000): 293-306. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 31 July 2011. “Introduction: Flowering of the Gothic.” Athena Review. Vol. 4.2. Athena Publications Incoporated. 1996. Print. Gentleman, David and Edward Carpenter. Westminster Abbey. Trafalgar Square. 1987. Read More