Gothic

Question 1

Characteristics of trans gothic and example

Answer 1

Very like Romanesque
Slightly pointed arches
Heavy look of Romanesque
Eg. St Denis, Paris. Opened by Abbot Suger

Question 2

Characteristics of flamboyant gothic

Answer 2

Complex, highly ornamental, intricate, carved decoration
Sculpture everywhere
Eg. Rouen cathedral, north west tower of Chartres

Question 3

Characteristics of classic gothic

Answer 3

‘Most perfect phase’
More elegant than trans
Light airiness
Eg. Chartres cathedral

Question 4

Name the 7 main elements of gothic structure

Answer 4

Pointed arches
Rib vaulting
Flying buttresses
Thin columns 
Thinner walls
Large windows
Tracery

Question 5

Explain vertical visual emphasis

Answer 5

Architects wanted the buildings to be tall and light filled.
The higher they were, the closer they were to god.
Everything in cathedral pointed upwards
Everything vertical, draws eyes upwards

Question 6

What parts of Chartres are transitional gothic

Answer 6

Most of western facade:
Royal Portal
Twin towers
Three lancet windows

Question 7

In what year did a fire burn down Chartres

Answer 7

1194

Question 8

Why was Chartres rebuilt so quickly and magnificently?

Answer 8

Santa Camisia unharmed in fire : seen as a sign from god

Wealthy people donated money for the building (patrons)

Question 9

What was the result of building the church so quickly

Answer 9

It is unified in structure and decoration

Question 10

Describe the classic gothic elements of Chartres. (5)

Answer 10

Ribbed vaulting= simple and elegant
Columns extend up to be anchor points for vaulting
Rows of flying buttresses support these columns
3 huge rose windows
Rows of lancet windows

Question 11

Describe the flamboyant features of Chartres

Answer 11

Northwest tower
Complex and detailed decoration
Fussy and visually busy
Pinnacles, tracery, mini flying buttresses

Question 12

How many original windows were there in Chartres and how many survived

Answer 12

183, 145 still exist

Question 13

What two types of patrons were depicted on the stained glass windows

Answer 13

Wealthy people and guilds

Question 14

Explain the didactic function of stained glass

Answer 14

Taught illiterate pop. about bible stories.

Some windows dedicated to a particular saint. (Eg, St Martin)

Question 15

What stage of gothic is the Blue Virgin from

Answer 15

Transitional. It survive the fire of 1194

Question 16

Describe the Blue Virgin

Answer 16

Mary sits on a throne, Jesus in her lap.
Crown on her head (queen of heaven)
Gown and halo are a rich luminous blue
Deep red background

Question 17

What did the Blue Virgin represent in Chartres

Answer 17

The special relationship between Chartres and Mary.

Question 18

Characteristics of gothic sculpture x5

Answer 18

Compared to Romanesque:
Calm
more orderly
more realistic
Natural style
More correct body proportions, slightly elongated

Question 19

What phase of gothic is the Royal Portal from

Answer 19

Transitional, so there are elements of the less realistic Romanesque style

Question 20

Who are the figures on the columns of the three doorways (Royal Portal)

Answer 20

Kings and queens from the Old Testament

Question 21

Describe the figures on the columns of the Royal Portal

Answer 21

Stylised poses, elongated to fit with the vertical visual emphasis
Lengthen slightly from door outwards to make false perspective
Formal and serious
Static, ordered, serene, regular

Question 22

What is above the columns of the Royal Portal

Answer 22

A freeze of small carved figures, almost 200 in total.

These serve as the capitals of the columns

Question 23

Describe the right tympanum

Answer 23

Christ is a child on Mary’s knee

Question 24

Describe the left tympanum

Answer 24

Christ is ascending though the clouds to heaven

Question 25

Describe the middle tympanum

Answer 25

Christ is triumphant at the end of time.

He is surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists

Question 26

What is between the frieze and the tympana?

Answer 26

A carved lintel ( double lintel on side arches)