Notre Dame, Paris.
begun 1150.
flying buttresses first used on a large scale. Early gothic: rib vaults start at the ceiling and go down to capitals. Sexpartite or six part vaults. Vaults span two bays. Third floor of facade: rose window.
Virgin of Paris: worldly queen, crown full of gems. S curve, anatomy disguised under drapery. Inorganic stance.
Chartres Cathedral, France
1134.
High gothic nave, large windows, stained glass. South tower is from 1160, north tower from 1507.
Royal Portal: West facade. 1145. Statue columns of kings/queens. Three doorways: left: birth; center: ascension; right: apocalypse.
Jamb statues: attached to columns. Elongated proportions.
Saint-Denis, France
1140.
First Gothic! Abbot Suger, patron, wanted light filtered by stained glass. Rib vaults start at the ceiling and go down to capitals. Pointed arches!
This is my favorite youtube video. Ever.
Bayeux Tapestry
1070. wool on linen.
Is an embroidery. Commissoined by Bishop Odo. Tells story of William’s conquest of England at the Battle of Hastings. Fanciful beasts. Nonnatural color. 230 feet long.
Hildegard von Bingen’s Vision (now destroyed)
1050, manuscript.
Bingen’s divine visions come from heaven. Her scribe waits by her. Black outline defines form. Dominate architectural setting.
Virgin and Child or The Morgan Madonna
1150, wood. Romanesque.
Mary appears as Throne of Wisdom, holding Jesus on her lap. Jesus: doesn’t look like a child (adult head). Sit emotionless.
GISLEBERTUS, Last Judgement, on the tympanum of St. Lazare, Autun, France.
1120, marble.
Scene of Last Judgement: Jesus at the second coming (those saved on his right and those damned on his left). Figures are twisted, writhing. Weighing souls is a tradition that dates back to Egypt. Hierarchy.
WILIGELMO, Creation and Temptation of Adam and Eve, Modena Cathedral
1110, marble.
Inspired by Early Christian sacrophagi. Narrative breaks the frame. High relief. Church members will enter this portal and be reminded of original sin.
Romanesque Portal.
