Gothic
from the Antique Jewelry University
| ” | Then arose new architects who after the manner of their barbarous nations erected buildings in that style which we call Gothic.[1] | ” |
The Gothic period is a late medieval period in art history which spans from roughly 1140 to 1500 AD, with some continuance in the 16th century. It was the successor of the roman - or romanesque - style and it was succeeded by the renaissance. The term Gothic was given to this art style in the early 16th century by the Italian art historian and architect Giorgio Vasari, whom also coined the term renaissance, and it was meant as a derogatory term. In the days this "Gothic" style was termed opus francigenum (from Latin: "French work").
The Gothic style was influenced, most probably, by Arabic ornaments as ogees and the mathematical influences on architecture that came to Europe during the crusades. As a successor of the Romanesque style of the early middle ages, many roman influences are apparent, these can be seen especially in the rounded arches, buttresses and the floorplan of cathedrals of early Gothic buildings.
The first appearance of Gothic architecture was in 1136 when the Saint-Denis cathedral (the burial site of French Kings, just north of Paris) was being rebuild. The west facade of the cathedral was rebuild first and the Romanesque influences are clearly visible in the rounded arches around the doors and windows. The idea of building to the sky - to come closer to God - is the most distinguishing feature of this early Gothic period. Other parts were rebuild later and as the style evolved, other characteristic elements of the Gothic era emerged in the St.-Denis basilica. This abbey church is also regarded as the first cathedral to make use of stylistics in the rayonnant - or high Gothic - style.
Building to the sky was one of the most important considerations in the period and this was made possible by the use of arches and buttresses. The arches around the windows and other openings redirected the forces on the buildings downwards to the ground instead of outwards, a concept well know for centuries before the Gothic period. There were of course limitations to this and buttresses were needed to support the main building and to prevent it from collapsing due to these outward forces. While in the Romanesque period these buttresses were in the form of side walls c.q. buildings, during the Gothic period they were primarily in the form of flying buttresses. Although flying buttresses were not novel, they also became highly decorative instead of functional only. One can see these buttresses decorated with pinnacles, grotesques and gargoyles. As with all styles that have a long time span, there was an evolution in the gothic period and one can divide the Gothic style into 3 main periods.
- Early Gothic (also named romano-gothic) - ca. 1140 to 1200
- High Gothic (also named rayonnent) - 1200 to 1300
- Late Gothic (also named flamboyant) - 1300 to 1500
Building cathedrals in the Gothic style took many years - sometimes 100 years - and as many architects worked in succession on these buildings most of these structures show a combination of the above mentioned periodic styles.
Cathedrals - the main early Gothic structures - were build on pilgrim routes throughout Europe and urbanization started in the late middle ages around these churches. Through these pilgrim routes the style of the new Gothic style spread and this new style - originating in the Ile de France region - soon was adopted in other countries, each altering the style to specific needs and taste. These local adaptations usually are shown in the details and the materials used.
Early Gothic period
This period evolved from the Romanesque style and is characterized by rounded and pointed arches arches on a vertical plane. Flying buttresses were used, but are mainly undecorated. Roman buttresses were also used.
High Gothic period
This period is also known as the rayonnant period. Not only the vertical feature was important, but also bringing light into the churches through stained glass windows. The main window, at the west facade, was a radiant one. Flying buttresses became highly decorated with grotesques, gargoyles and pinnacles. Quatrefoils were used extensively. The arches became mainly pointed (equilateral arches) after Arabic ogees.
Late Gothic period
The late Gothic period is also termed the flamboyant period as the quatrefoils were replaced by vesica piscis or fish bladder motives which resemble almond shapes. These created a sense of movement in the open worked maconary and stained glass decorations.
Gothic jewelry
Although the Gothic era in art history is concentrated on architecture there are other artifacts created in this style, most prominently sculptures, silverware, book covers and illustrations. Jewelry from this period is mainly Romanesque in nature with strong Christian themes (at least in the western world). One can occasionally find jewelry with a typical Gothic ornamental signature, but mostly they are of a later date. A good understanding of the Gothic language is needed to place the original jewels in the correct time frame and they are usually identified by small clues as fish bladder and quadrefoil motives. Silverware in the form of relic holders and monstrances will show the typical architectural buildup as one can see in Gothic churches. To get familiar with the gothic style, one should study the various cathedrals build in this style.
The Gothic style was revived in the 19th century and most jewels, aswell as buildings, in this style are neo-Gothic.
Gothic ornaments in jewelry
One can recognize Gothic and neo-Gothic artifacts by their vertical buildup with a typical ornamental language as:
- Quatrefoils
- Trefoils (trifoils)
- Vesica piscis (fish bladder)
- Pinnacles
Notes
- ↑ Vasari, Gorgio. Vite de' più eccell. pitori, scultori et archi. ca. 1550