Traits of the Gothic Architecture - Essay Example

It was equated with medieval art, which was then widely scoffed at for its pointed style.
During its development, Gothic architecture has been generally considered as French work (opus Francigena) because it originated in France, and most styles found in other countries or contemporary designs are considered an imitation of the pointed or the Gothic detail or typified by the superficial application of pointed or Gothic detail to buildings that are constructed based on Romanesque principles (Kimball & Edgell 2001, 273,277).

The development of the Gothic style showed the strong influence of Romanesque architecture such as the inclusion of elements like the pointed arch and the rib vault, the arch added to the surface of the vault (Hendrix 2011, 25). According to Chiu (2011), it also continued the Romanesque challenge of building larger cathedrals and focused on the religious matter in its sculptural, painted, and glass expressions (82). This relationship underscored the role of the Church in Gothic stylistic development. For instance, the addition of the spires is a prominent religious aspiration. There is also the emphasis on the vast space and lots of light in order to create an impression of reverence (Chiu, 82). Indeed, many Gothic structures are dominated by churches.

The Gothic style broke away from Romanesque influence when it developed further after the 1100s as Europe grew in prosperity and the aesthetic taste changed. The massive wall structure reminiscent of previous styles was eliminated in favor of the "lighter and more diaphanous structure with an emphasis on diagonal lines and views" (Watkin 2005, 149). This new style was achieved through a novel structural design that is akin to a human skeleton and also featured a kind of verticality that obscured horizontal lines, effectively presenting a soaring effect, seemingly defying gravity. There was also the development of the flying buttress, which are stone arches that support the roof. While the Gothic style did not create new stylistic elements, it successfully combined features of previous architectural styles into a harmonious work of art.

The Abbey Church of St. Denis is one of the most excellent examples of Gothic architecture. It demonstrated the integration of the Gothic aesthetic system dominated by the combination of rib vaults, wall shafts, and pointed arches. This achieved an unadulterated Gothic experience with an illusion of a soaring and floating roof/dome and the diaphanous interior effect.

All in all, the Gothic style is an important development in the history of human architecture. It dominated the architectural landscape in Europe for centuries and reflected the values, culture, and advances of age, particularly the overriding concern for religion. Its magnificence sought to capture the heaven and the nobility and virtue of the human soul. Read More