Gothic Art
Gothic Sculpture and
Illustrated Books
Sculptural Decorations
Upward tendencies in architecture
were repeated in sculptures
Elongated or stretched
Project outward into space
Increased concern for reality
Sense of Movement in folds of the
fabrics
Increased concern for human
emotions
Sculptural Decorations
Formal balance
(Burgos Cathedral Tympanum, Burgos
Spain)
Sculptural Decorations
Informal balance
(Death of the Virgin, Cloister Tympanum,
Pamplona, Spain)
Sculptural Decorations
Figures clearly identified and
recognized by those familiar with
the Bible
 Keys = Peter
 Tablets = Moses
 Horn = Joshua
 Cloak = Joseph
Chartres Cathedral, France:
Stonework above three entrance
doors relating to different aspects
of the life of Christ
West façade: the statues of the
13th century Kings and Queens are
below those taken from the life of
Christ - signifying the important
position of the Kings and Queens
of the epoch.
North facade focuses on episodes from
the Old Testament
South facade relates stories from the time
between Christ's death and the Second Coming.
Common themes
Veneration of the Virgin Mary
The Golden Virgin, Amiens
Cathedral
The Seven Deadly Sins
Death and Last Judgment
Reflective of the times they were
produced in
Plague ravaging Europe (1/3
population lost)
Gargoyles
Term derived from French word for
throat
Grotesque flying monsters
projecting from upper portions of
huge churches “fleeing from
Sacred space”
 Carved stone or cast metal
 They are actually rain spouts
Symbolism
Purpose to teach the uneducated.
Taught the four levels of meaning in
the bible
1) Narrative and descriptive details
of a story
2) Allegorical (relate story to history
of Christ and his people)
Symbolism (cont.)
3) Moral = extracts a
psychological meaning or
lesson
4) Anagogic = interpret meaning
of a story as a parable for
the relationship of one’s
soul to God.
Illustrated Books
Psalters: illustrated books
containing psalms, gospels
and other parts of liturgy
Used tiny pointed brushes
and bright colors to depict
scenes from the life of
Christ.
Illustrated Books (cont.)
Influence of Stained-glass art
 Both Illustrated books and
stained glass windows made in
same shop
Figures drawn with firm, dark
outlines, suggestive of lead
strips used to join sections
Placed in “frames”
International Style
Concern for realistic detail
More graceful and colorful
Book of Hours -- by Limbourg
brothers from Flanders
Produced for Duke of Berry
Showed cycle of life through
scenes depicting the 12
months.
January
February
March
April
June
ITALIAN CHURCH PAINTING
Italy did not follow Gothic
architecture
Wall paintings remained
Duccio di Buoninsegna
Maestà Altarpiece at Cathedral
of Sienna
Byzantine features
Extensive use of gold
2 Dimensional figures
Intense colors
shallow space
Non-Byzantine features
More relaxed and realistic
Giotto di Bondone
Natural looking figures
Real action depicted in real
space
Dramatic effects (simple
backgrounds focusing
attention so that viewers
can experience the work).
Fresco Technique
Painting created on wet plaster
1) Draw in charcoal on wall
2) apply wet plaster in sections
(only what could be painted while
wet)
3) retrace charcoal lines
4) Apply pigment (mixed with
water and egg whites) on wet
plaster
Disadvantages to Fresco
Must finish painting while
plaster still wet
Paint + plaster = permanent
surface
Mistakes = start process over
Add paint after dry = flake off
Some details missing due to lack
of time.