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Earthlore Introduction | Earthlore Contents | Gothic Preface | Gothic Contents | E-mail
| Goth-ic: noun 1. The extinct East Germanic language of the Goths. 2. Gothic art or architecture. adjective 1. Of or relating to the Goths or their language. 2. Of or relating to the Middle Ages; medieval. 3. Of or relating to an architectural style prevalent in western Europe from the 12th through the 15th century and characterized by pointed arches, rib vaulting, and flying buttresses. 4. Of or relating to painting, sculpture, or other art forms prevalent in northern Europe from the 12th through the 15th century. 5. Of or relating to a style of fiction that emphasizes the grotesque, mysterious, and desolate. 6. Barbarous; crude. —The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language  The function of Earthlore's on-line features is to provide introductory level content presented in a manner that inspires an interest towards deeper study and fuller appreciation of the featured subject. Supplementing the educational materials within each cultural theme will be reviews, evaluations and direct access to quality resources elsewhere on the Internet and within other media forms off-line. |
 During
the middle of the twelfth century, in the region surrounding Paris,
several innovative art and craft forms began to coalesce within the renovations
of existing church structures. Initially consisting of hybrid elements
within earlier buildings, primarily the Romanesque abbeys, the new style
soon accentuated its own merits. Before passing from favor, the expression
we know today as Gothic Art would dominate European architectural development
for the nearly four hundred years.The
churches and cathedrals of the Gothic era are currently enjoying a
renewed interest and reverence. It is a great understatement to say that
this was not always true. Throughout the centuries Gothic structures have
suffered far more than disinterest and neglect. Periodic turns of popular
taste have at times inspired movements for the outright annihilation of
these grand structures.At
perhaps their saddest point in history, during the reign of Napoleon
III, the French Gothic structures were threatened with complete extermination
by Imperial order. Ironically, this objective was achieved most effectively
within the heart of Paris. In the very birth place of Gothic spirit, a
great number of fine churches were ravaged or completely demolished by
the great grandchildren of their medieval builders.  At
an earlier point, within the eighteenth century, one of the finest
examples of Gothic craft, Saint Nicaise, was destroyed without the slightest
compassion. In Cambrai, an entire cathedral was thrown down and laid waste.
Such an act against a cultural or historic monument would be hard to imagine today.The
exact scale of destruction is now impossible to estimate. The
only concern during later ages was the complete removal of what were
seen as "immense monuments" to primitive "bad taste."  It
would seem that no other period of artistic accomplishment has been
so ruthlessly humiliated. Yet the devastation never realized anything
near a total obliteration. Today we may still benefit from the profound
spiritual, architectural and cultural legacies contained within the
structures that arose through the Gothic era. |
 What most challenges our interaction with Medieval craft works is the path of approach and the stance of comprehension. The world is vastly different than it was when these structures and their attendant arts were created. Where the exterior world has not changed, our inner attitudes toward it have greatly evolved. E-mail : queries@elore Your questions and comments are always welcome! |
Architecture
is what we think of most as the expression of the Gothic age. Its
first forms arise within the 12th century, seemingly from the very heart
of their Romanesque forebears. As the paramount builder of the Middle
Age centuries, the church provided this new creative/technical form with
its greatest avenue of manifestation. It would not be until the 'Neo-Gothic'
era of the nineteenth century that the style would make an expression
through secular structures on any broad scale. Contrary
to popular perception, Gothic style refers to more than cathedral
structures. The label applies to art, sculpture, glass works, decorative
pieces and illuminated manuscripts from the mid 12th through the early
16th century.The
label of 'Gothic' was coined in Italy,
during the Renaissance, as a derogatory reference to the art and architecture
of the these earlier centuries. The denigration was a comparison to the
earlier Goth barbarians. With the passing centuries, Gothic became more
clearly associated with the closing era of the medieval age. In time,
the demarcation point would solidify around the distinctive style which
followed the Romanesque era. There remains a great degree of argumentative
definition to this day, as a blending of the two styles can be found at
many sites. One prominent example is Canterbury in England, which was
reconstructed after a great fire, yet retained several earlier elements.The
accepted Gothic period spans some four hundred years, from the
twelfth century through the early decades of the sixteenth. This fact
alone argues against a consistent method and style. Today, we communicate
through miracles such as the one which carries this information. We
take for granted the ability to exchange ideas and collaborate on
projects across the world. During the Gothic age communication of
craft and style was limited by the physical travel of small guilds
of craftsmen. Over time, original ideas imported from earlier sites
evolved into new forms which reflected refined technique and regional influence.
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