In the late 14th century, anticipating the Renaissance, Gothic Art evolved toward a more secular style known as International Gothic. Although superseded by Renaissance art, there was a Gothic Revival in the 18th and 19th centuries, which was largely rooted in nostalgia.

The term Gothic was first coined for architecture, and it is in architecture that the characteristics are most easily recognizable. Gothic art was most dominant during the age of the great cathedrals, from about 1150 to 1250. The architecture in France represented a concentrated expenditure . These immense costs were born by donations collected all over the country, from all classes of society. It showed an expansion of reli

The Gothic vision of the end of time is transformed into something quite different from Romanesque churches, like Autun for example. I notice the bodies are given a new emphasis. Resurrected individuals with whom beholders can identify. The poses seem to be more classical, even more sensuous. When comparing Rheims to Bourges, the angels are smiling at Rheims, although at Bourges they almost retain a verticality and symmetry. Why in Gothic art do they get to keep their crowns? This symbolizes that they retain their clerical, or royal status. It appears to me that in Gothic art not only is the past represented as if it were happening in the present, so was the more ominous future.

Many of the important artists died in the first epidemic. This is reflected by the celebration of death in the art. Skeletons, and decaying forms of nature are represented in a ghoulish manner. Gothic artists registered the incredible horror and agonies by depicting the excruciating suffering.

In Gothic art the animal realm is usually clearly distinguished from the human . Each man, serpent, and saint are distinct. It is only in the monster that they are connected. Many hybrid creatures we see in Gothic art, such as half man-half goat, seem to be illicit couplings that couldn’t be discussed, but pictured instead.

When originally approaching Gothic art, I was convinced it was not much more than a forerunner to the Renaissance era. After reading, Michael Camille’s Gothic Art: Glorious Visions, my opinions have changed. I’ve come to discover, Gothic art is an art of multi-media combinations, in which whole teams of sculptors, and painters, often work together. Gothic art definitely portrays what was happening during this time period.

Stained glass, which is a staple of Gothic art and architecture appears to be a diffusing filter to change the color of ordinary daylight. It becomes “miraculous”. According to The Basic History of Art, “the sensation of ethereal light, which dissolves the physical solidity of the church and, hence, the distinction between the temporal and the divine realms, creates the intensely mystical experience that lies in the heart of Gothic spirituality”(195).

Some topics in this essay:
Padua Italy, Anatomy Guido, Glorious Visions, History Art, Gothic Revival, Pieta Gothic, Adam Eve, Judgement Christ, Naumburg Cathedral, Rheims Bourges, gothic art, human form, art gothic, stained glass, guido de vigevano, term gothic, art architecture, vertical lines, straight vertical, gothic architecture, rectangular shapes, anatomy guido de, blue green orange, straight vertical lines,