gothic architecture

Gothic architecture

After watching the art of gothic BBC4 documentary, it is known that the word gothic was a gloomy word which the Italians used to describe architecture in the 18th century in  Rome Greece and Italy. Over the decades gothic architecture has become a lot more common around the world from churches in Britain to Gaudi's inspired gothic buildings in Barcelona.
 
anonymous. (20/10/14). the art of gothic . Available: http://portal.solent.ac.uk/library/library.aspx. Last accessed 01/04/15.

Gothic France

Northern France was where the gothic style of architecture came from and was firstly known by the French kings in 1135, after the style of building originating around 1140, the gothic style has now expanded from churches to castles, palaces, train stations and bridges. Without the French other coutnries such as England would have no knowledge on gothic architecture. As the French wealth and power increased so did their architecture.

 Abbot Surger (1081-1151) can be recognised for some of his gothic style buildings which can be located around France, the Notre Dame which was a major gothic cathedral which is know a landmark in France is just one of Surger's many cathedrals which he had created. The Abbey of Saint Denis, was the French architects first project which was completed in 1248.
 
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 72

Abott Surgers work can recognised as a new style of gothic architecture. An example of his gothic style is the  De Administroine building which includes spiritual values . The building also includes stain glass windows and elements of goldsmiths work, this caused people to however view the building in disappointment due the involvement of glass and metal work.

Buildings such as the French gothic cathedral, the Saint Remis, was one of the earliest accomplished gothic buildings, but was however the 11th century eastern arm of the building was altered in order to create more space in the 12th century.

Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 72

Anonymous. (unknown). Gothic architecture. Available: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/gothic-architecture/. Last accessed 05/04/15.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anoymous. (unknown). cathedral Notre Dame. Available: http://www.cosmovisions.com/monuParisNotreDame.htm. Last accessed 05/04/15.

Gothic England

Gothic cathedrals were firstly recognised in England after the battle of Hastings in 1066. The typical gothic style cathedral was stain glass windows, high archways and rib styled walls. The Anglo Normans were also known for building the up walls to support the buildings before architects .
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 72


 
After gothic architecture emerged in France, it soon become popular in Great Britain,  not only was it a style of building it was also a reminder of their history. Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey were two royal connections which were two gothic inspired buildings. London is common place in England which conveys the use of gothic style buildings: from Big ben and the houses of parliament to Buckingham Palace. Ruins was another style which people liked to considered as gothic, the fake ruins which can be located in the Midlands was a new take on the gothic and British heritage
.
In the South West of England , During the time of William the conqueror many of the buildings were destroyed, as a result it was hard to determine whether the buildings were actually gothic, an example is the Church of Abbey in Bristol.
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 77

In the South East there didn't seem to be many gothic style buildings until the 12th century, most o the cathdrals were an unreasonable size and in 1174 the most significant church ' the choir of the cathedral of Christ priory' caught fire. The South East didn't see any reasonable architecture until after the Norman conquest in 1069.
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 82-84

In the 13th century English gothic architecture was also known as the 'decorated style buildings' with a skeleton appearance . Due to the increase of wealth and power buildings started to become a lot more refined and were also expanded
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 189

Anoymous. (unknown). Westminister Abbey. Available: http://www.londoncentralparking.co.uk/westminster-abbey-parking/. Last accessed 05/04/15.

Anonymous. (unknown). Gothic architecture. Available: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/gothic-architecture/. Last accessed 05/04/15.

Gothic Germany

Gothic Germany became known for their gothic style buildings in the 13th century, they contained elements of the French and Romanesque architecture.Germany were also known for reconstructing two of their cathedrals to their advantage as one caught fire in 1176 and also de to many of there churches being considered as too similar, these cathedrals are to be located  in Strasbourg.
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 145

Gothic Spain

Romanesque style buildings were introduced in Spain in the 11th and 12th century, however gothic styled buildings weren't introduced until the 16th century, which can be considered as quite late in comparison to other cities .The cathedral of St James, the Prestige of Santiago and the Avila created by Castile which was onstructed in the 12th century and has similar elements to the saint Demis in France are just a few famous architectural buildings to be located around the city.
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 157

Gothic Italy

The construction of gothic style architecture was mainly relied on by the painters and scupltors in Italy. There style of architecture mainly focused on elements of Greece Rome and also France. During the 13th century the French style of building was considered as very important by the Italians.
Christopher Wilson (2005). The gothic cathedral. 2nd ed. unknown: unknown. 247

Horace Walpole

Anonymous. (unknown). strawberryhillhouse. Available: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g528819-d2331558-Reviews-Strawberry_Hill_House-Twickenham_Greater_London_England.html. Last accessed 06/04/15.

 

English write Horace Walpole, known for his Castle in Tranto gothic novel, is also known for his iconic gothic style home which can be located on Strawberry Hill in Twickenham. Whilst stood on the stairway in his great white gothic home he was known to have seen a monstrous hand appear, this inspired Walpole to write his gothic novel.
 
anonymous. (20/10/14). the art of gothic . Available: http://portal.solent.ac.uk/library/library.aspx. Last accessed 01/04/15.

Antoni Gaudi

Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi (1852) is also known for his gothic inspired buildings which can be located around Barcelona , after carrying out and art and design BTEC course at school I learnt plenty of knowledge about his work and the style of buildings which he had built. Some of the famous gothic style buildings which Gaudi had created whilst he was in his prime was the Episcopal Palace and  Casa de los Botines . The Sagrada Familia is another famous gothic style building which Gaudi had created however the piece still remains unfinished due to his in 1926.

Anonymous. (unknown). Antoni Gaudi biography. Available: http://www.biography.com/people/antoni-gaud%C3%AD-40695#the-mature-artist. Last accessed 05/04/15.

Anonymous. (unknown). Antoni gaudi buildings. Available: http://gotravelzing.com/antoni-gaudis-architecture-in-barcelona/. Last accessed 06/04/15.

Gothic photographs

The photograph which I took of ST Marys church in Southampton can be considered as gothic architecture, the gothic motif which can be used to describe the building is sexual powder , due to topics spoken about in church relate to this motif such as for example forgiveness of sins and same sex weddings.

Here is another photograph of the Southampton ruins which can be located in the city centre, I felt this image showed the interest the British have on heritage . The gothic motif I feel relates to the  picture of the ruins is place and time, people are fascinated by locations and buildings which have been around through many events such as world wars  and are still standing .

Here is another photograph of the Southampton ruins, a gothic motif which I feel relates to the ruins is the word crisis . A political or social crisis is what makes this meaning gothic . I feel that the war was a major event which effected many peoples lives and can be considered as a crisis, by people of today having a fascination with the ruins trying to master an understanding of what it must have been like for people makes the ruins seem slightly gothic.

Here is another photograph of a church which can be located in Milbrook, I found the way the church was hidden behind trees and the style of building gothic. The gothic motif which I would use to describe this photograph is uncanny which means a strange or mysterious place which can be considered as quite unsettling as if someone is watching you, I feel the way the church is hidden behind the trees makes you feel quite unsettled and on edge.

Here is a photograph which I took around September in Veletta which is the capital of Malta. I took this photograph whilst on a bus tour exploring the city I found this building powerful due to the building being the third biggest unsupported dome cathedral in the world. The gothic motif which I feel best describes the building is time and place due to being in a completely new location and  looking back on their heritage .

Here is another photograph which was taken in Veletta the style and shape conveys gothic architecture. I feel time and place is a motif which also best describes this photograph due to being fascinated with a building in a different location which was built many centuries ago.

Here is another photograph from Veletta, the style of architecture which best describes gothic is the sharp style buildings incorporated with high archways, I feel this Maltese monument shows the use of gothic.

The library located in Veletta I found very interesting although the shape and style of the building is not typical gothic , the statue of Queen Victoria situated in front of the building to me is what appears gothic. The Victorian era was best known for the gothic style, after the loss of husband Prince Albert Queen Victoria became obsessed with death, mourning her husband for over forty years, and creating many memorials for him . Wearing all black was another way in which Queen Victoria liked to mourn her husband. the gothic motif I feel best relates to this photograph is power, Queen Victoria had the power to create her own rule and regulations whether people agreed or disagreed with her decisions.

Here is another photograph which I took in Malta whilst on a boat trip around Silema, the boat trip showed us the history of Malta such as the ruins. The gothic motif which I feel relates to this image is the sublime, due to the experience of landscape of the ruins being situated on the sea appearing a little unsettling and not fitting together.