⛪Gothic Art in Northern Europe Unit 6 – Gothic England: Westminster & Perpendicular

Key Features of Gothic England

• Pointed arches replaced rounded Romanesque arches, allowing for taller and more spacious interiors
• Flying buttresses provided additional support for high walls and large windows
  • Consisted of an arch that extended from the upper portion of a wall to a pier of masonry
  • Allowed for the redistribution of weight and greater stability
• Ribbed vaults created intricate ceiling patterns and allowed for more elaborate designs
• Large, tracery windows filled the interior with light and often featured stained glass
  • Tracery refers to the ornamental stonework that holds the glass in place
  • Common tracery patterns included geometric designs and flowing curves (reticulated tracery)
• Elaborate sculptural decoration adorned the exteriors, particularly around portals and facades
• Spires and pinnacles added vertical emphasis and drew the eye upward
• Interiors featured a Latin cross plan with a long nave, transepts, and a choir

Historical Context

• Gothic architecture developed in France in the 12th century and spread to England in the late 12th and early 13th centuries
• The Gothic style coincided with the growth of towns, universities, and a rising middle class
• The reign of Henry III (1216-1272) saw a significant increase in Gothic construction
  • Henry was a patron of the arts and commissioned numerous Gothic projects, including Westminster Abbey
• The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) between England and France influenced the development of the Perpendicular style
• The Black Death (1348-1349) had a profound impact on English society and art
  • The pandemic led to a shortage of skilled labor and a focus on more efficient construction techniques
• The dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII (1536-1541) resulted in the destruction or repurposing of many Gothic buildings

Westminster Abbey: A Case Study

• Westminster Abbey is a prime example of Gothic architecture in England
• Construction began in 1245 under the patronage of Henry III
• The abbey features a Latin cross plan with a long nave, transepts, and a choir
• The east end of the church is notable for its large, intricate tracery windows and elaborate vaulting
• The nave features pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses
• The west facade includes twin towers and a large, ornate portal with sculptural decoration
• The abbey served as a coronation church for English monarchs and a burial place for notable figures
  • Coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066 marked the beginning of this tradition
  • Contains the tombs of numerous kings, queens, and other prominent individuals (Edward the Confessor, Elizabeth I)

The Perpendicular Style

• The Perpendicular style emerged in England in the 14th century and lasted until the early 16th century
• Characterized by strong vertical lines and a focus on paneling and grid-like patterns
• Tracery windows featured vertical mullions that extended from the bottom to the top of the window
  • Mullions are vertical elements that divide the window into sections
  • Tracery became more intricate and decorative, with patterns like fan vaulting and pendant drops
• Fan vaulting, a type of elaborate vaulting with radiating ribs that resemble an open fan, became popular
• Walls were often divided into grids of panels, creating a sense of order and regularity
• Towers and spires became taller and more ornate, with intricate tracery and sculptural decoration
• Notable examples of Perpendicular architecture include King's College Chapel, Cambridge, and Henry VII's Chapel at Westminster Abbey

Notable Architects and Patrons

• Henry Yevele (c. 1320-1400) was a prominent English architect known for his work in the Perpendicular style
  • Designed the nave of Canterbury Cathedral and worked on Westminster Hall
• William Wynford (active c. 1360-1405) was another significant architect of the Perpendicular period
  • Responsible for the design of New College Chapel, Oxford, and Winchester Cathedral's nave
• Richard II (r. 1377-1399) was a patron of the arts and commissioned several important Gothic projects
  • Rebuilt Westminster Hall with a magnificent hammer-beam roof
  • Commissioned the renovation of Westminster Palace
• Henry VII (r. 1485-1509) was the last great patron of Gothic architecture in England
  • Commissioned the construction of his chapel at Westminster Abbey, a masterpiece of Perpendicular style
• Other notable patrons included wealthy merchants, guilds, and religious orders who funded the construction of churches, chapels, and other buildings

Technological Innovations

• The use of flying buttresses allowed for taller walls and larger windows by redistributing the weight of the roof
• Advances in masonry techniques, such as the use of ashlar (finely cut stone), enabled the construction of more intricate designs
• The development of tracery made possible the creation of large, elaborate windows with complex patterns
• The use of pointed arches allowed for greater flexibility in design and the ability to span wider spaces
• The introduction of the English tiebeam roof, a type of wooden roof truss, provided a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to stone vaulting
• Innovations in stained glass production led to the creation of larger and more vibrant windows
  • The use of silver stain, a technique that allowed for the creation of yellow and green hues, expanded the color palette
  • The development of the "grisaille" style, which featured monochromatic designs, added a new dimension to stained glass art

Symbolism and Iconography

• Gothic architecture was imbued with religious symbolism and iconography
• The verticality of Gothic buildings was meant to draw the eye and the spirit upward toward heaven
• Light was an important symbol of divine presence, and large windows were designed to flood the interior with light
• Sculptural decoration often depicted biblical scenes, saints, and moral allegories
  • The Last Judgment was a common theme, often depicted above the main portal
  • The Virgin Mary and the Crucifixion were also frequently represented
• Stained glass windows told stories from the Bible and the lives of saints, serving as a form of visual education for the largely illiterate population
• The labyrinth, a complex circular path on the floor of some Gothic cathedrals, symbolized the spiritual journey and the path to salvation
• The use of sacred geometry, such as the golden ratio, was believed to imbue the building with divine harmony

Legacy and Influence

• The Gothic style had a lasting impact on English architecture and spread to other parts of Europe and beyond
• Gothic Revival architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries drew inspiration from medieval Gothic buildings
  • Examples include the Houses of Parliament in London and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City
• The Perpendicular style influenced the development of Tudor and Elizabethan architecture in England
• Gothic architecture's emphasis on verticality, light, and structural innovation paved the way for later styles, such as Renaissance and Baroque
• The Gothic aesthetic, with its emphasis on emotion, mystery, and the sublime, had a significant influence on literature, art, and popular culture
  • Gothic novels, such as Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Bram Stoker's "Dracula," drew on Gothic themes and imagery
  • Gothic elements continue to inspire contemporary art, fashion, and design
• The conservation and restoration of Gothic buildings have become an important focus of architectural heritage and cultural preservation efforts