Do You Know the Prestigious Gothic Style was Once Described as Ugly and Barbaric?

First of all, can you name three renowned Gothic churches? My answers are at the end of this blog.

Notre-Dame in Paris being restored after the fire in 2019

When we think of the medieval period, we often associate it with the Dark Ages. It was a time of intellectual and cultural darkness in Europe (however inaccurate) when the western Roman Empire fell in the 5th century. It wasn’t until the 14th century that the situation changed - Renaissance came to light in Rome. So between the 5th and 14th century, it was a long period of cultural emptiness. Was it though? Judging from the historical architecture in France, it sure wasn’t.

MANIFESTATIONS OF THE GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)

In the 12th century, Gothic architecture was born in Île-de-France, France. It is a style of medieval art often seen in churches, including the ogival arches, the flying buttresses, stained glasses, and sculptures of Mary, Christ, as well as the Saints on the walls and columns of Cathedrals and abbeys, literally as the pillars of the church. You can also see some floral and vegetal decorations as well as grapes representing the Garden of Eden and the wines of Eucharist. On the exteriors of Gothic churches are some grotesque and monstrous sculptures conveying a visual message to the illiterates - believe and be protected by the church from evil and danger.

In the case of Notre-Dame in Paris, you can also see some gargoyles. They have a more practical purpose. They spout the water from the roof out of the church after rain, protecting the buttresses, the walls, and windows from erosion.

WINDOWS HAVE A VITAL ROLE IN GOTHIC CATHEDRALS

Stained Glasses

They do, practically and religiously. Large glasses allow the transmission of light and have enough room to paint religious scenes. Their placement has certain rules too. The windows facing the north, often in the shade, depict the Old Testament while the windows facing the east, embracing every sunrise, have scenes illustrating the New Testament and Christ (sun being Christ’s symbol). The windows in the west façade are almost dedicated to Christ’s mother. They were painted with Roses, the symbol of the Virgin Mary.

THE FALL

Sagrada Família

Beginning in the mid-15th century, the Gothic style in Europe was gradually replaced by the Renaissance (aka Classical) architecture from Italy, losing its dominance. This type of Medieval art, once grand and flourishing but too distant from the aesthetic proportions and shapes of Classical art, was suddenly labelled as horrible and barbaric and outdated.

So, the three renowned Gothic churches (and the most beautiful that I have seen) are:

1. Sagrada Família in Barcelona

2. Notre-Dame in Paris

3. Duomo di Milano in Milan

P.s. if art is what you love, here is also our Impressionist day in the Musée d'Orsay :)