Comparison of Two Historical Art Periods
Comparison of Two Historical Art Periods:
Middle Ages (Gothic) and Renaissance Architecture
Christina Plunkett
Western Governor's University
IWT1 Humanities Task 1
Gothic style came about in the middle of the twelfth century. It was named after the Goths that controlled France during that time. It was developed as a result of Christian ideals. Christian leaders wanted big, tall, ornate churches to represent their strong faith. Later it was also used for non-religious buildings such as castles, walls, bridges, and gates. Citizens of the time period wanted striking, rich looking churches to represent their success and wealth, also leading to Gothic style. Common Gothic features include the pointed arch, the rib vault, buttresses, stained glass, and buildings that were shaped in the form of a cross. In addition, many cathedrals were heavily decorated with gargoyles, griffins, dragons, and other beastly, scary looking creatures. The Gothic style of architecture prevailed for around four hundred years. Over time Gothic developed into many similar styles. Enthusiasm for Gothic began to wane in the 1400’s, first in central Italy where it had never been very popular. However, in northern Europe Gothic style remained into the 16th century and beyond. (“Gothic Architecture”, 2013) There is sub culture today in the 21st century that consider themselves “Goth”. They wear dark clothes and make up and typically have a somber, morose attitude.
The Renaissance lasted from the late thirteenth to the early seventeenth century following the Gothic period. The Renaissance architectural style placed importance on symmetrical proportion[->0]s, defined shapes, and the consistency of parts. Renaissance architects veered away from using religion as the sole inspiration for their works. When building churches, Renaissance architects did no use the shape of a cross as a theme. Instead, they based them on a circle. They believed ancient mathematicians used circles to
Middle Ages (Gothic) and Renaissance Architecture
Christina Plunkett
Western Governor's University
IWT1 Humanities Task 1
Gothic style came about in the middle of the twelfth century. It was named after the Goths that controlled France during that time. It was developed as a result of Christian ideals. Christian leaders wanted big, tall, ornate churches to represent their strong faith. Later it was also used for non-religious buildings such as castles, walls, bridges, and gates. Citizens of the time period wanted striking, rich looking churches to represent their success and wealth, also leading to Gothic style. Common Gothic features include the pointed arch, the rib vault, buttresses, stained glass, and buildings that were shaped in the form of a cross. In addition, many cathedrals were heavily decorated with gargoyles, griffins, dragons, and other beastly, scary looking creatures. The Gothic style of architecture prevailed for around four hundred years. Over time Gothic developed into many similar styles. Enthusiasm for Gothic began to wane in the 1400’s, first in central Italy where it had never been very popular. However, in northern Europe Gothic style remained into the 16th century and beyond. (“Gothic Architecture”, 2013) There is sub culture today in the 21st century that consider themselves “Goth”. They wear dark clothes and make up and typically have a somber, morose attitude.
The Renaissance lasted from the late thirteenth to the early seventeenth century following the Gothic period. The Renaissance architectural style placed importance on symmetrical proportion[->0]s, defined shapes, and the consistency of parts. Renaissance architects veered away from using religion as the sole inspiration for their works. When building churches, Renaissance architects did no use the shape of a cross as a theme. Instead, they based them on a circle. They believed ancient mathematicians used circles to
References: (2010). St. peter 's basilica, rome . Retrieved February 26, 2013 from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica (2013). Notre Dame de Paris. Retrieved February 26, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris (2013). Gothic architecture. Retrieved February 26, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture (2013). Architecture in Renaissance Italy. Retrieved February 26, 2013 from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/itar/hd_itar.htm [->0] - http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportion_(architecture)