Gothic Architecture

Essay by imaGe April 2006

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Gothic Style is the most fascinating and mysterious architectural era the world has seen. Throughout the centuries, beautiful medieval cathedrals have been towering above every building and till this day, still survive with their astonishing appearance. The edifices built during the Gothic Period were not built with simple identifying Gothic features. Gothic architecture was born of Romanesque architecture altered by the influence of medieval society.

The technical revolution in architecture known as "Gothic" began at the end of the 12th century and lasted just over two hundred years. The advances made in architecture paralleled those in intellectual life. Gothic architecture was generally tall and inspiring and was a significant structural improvement upon the Romanesque buildings that preceded it.

Gothic art began to be produced in France about 1140, spreading to the rest of Europe during the following century. The Gothic Age ended with the great arrival of the Renaissance in Italy about the beginning of the 15th century, although Gothic art and architecture continued in the rest of Europe through most of the 15th century, and in some regions of northern Europe into the 16th century.

Originally the word Gothic was used by Italian Renaissance writers as a derogatory term for all art and architecture of the Middle Ages, which they regarded as comparable to the works of barbarian Goths.

Many Gothic styles can be presented in various churches all over Europe portrayed by stain glassed windows, sculpture and illuminated manuscripts. Although the earliest Gothic churches had a wide variety of styles, the creation of a series of large cathedrals in northern France, beginning in the second half of the 12th century, took full advantage of the new Gothic vault. A revolution in building techniques thus occurred. One technique was the founding of the flying buttresses which were external arches...