5.10 Gothic Art Outside of France

The Gothic style was a truly international one, yet in areas outside of France the Romanesque style remained a powerful influence. Be sure to pay particular attention to this fact in our study of Gothic art outside of France.

The classic example of the English Gothic style is found in the Salisbury Cathedral (ca. 13C). Although it has multiple lancets and pointed arches, the west facade is quite different from its French contemporary, the Chartres Cathedral. Here, we have a facade that is squat and actually wider than building behind it. In addition, the plan of the English cathedral is quite distinctive with its long, rectangular shape and its double transepts.

A view of the nave reveals its French Gothic influence given the three story elevation, pointed arches and quadripartite rib vaults, however. Yet, notice how the rib vaults spring from the triforium and the contrasting light and dark stone work, both of which are certainly not French Gothic.

English Perpendicular Style and the Gloucester Cathedral

Although Early English Gothic churches did not aspire to the heights of the great French cathedrals, later English Gothic structures did aspire to greater and greater heights.

The later English Gothic churches also displayed what is known as the Perpendicular style, as we see in the choir of the Gloucester Cathedral (ca. 14C), which presents interior space dominated by verticality. Its vaulting also springs directly from the floor, further emphasizing the choir's vertical character.

The web-like vaulting, which we see in our image, is purely decorative, and serves no structural purpose. In fact, the ribs here simply mask a barrel vault, another element of the Perpendicular style.

Gloucester Cathedral choir vaulting (ca. 14C) by PDR

The Perpendicular style was applied to sculptural works as well.

In the tomb of Edward II, which is located in the Gloucester Cathedral, we see gables, buttresses, pinnacles and pointed arches that form an architectural frame around the coffin of the king in grand Perpendicular style.

Tomb of Edward II (ca. 14C) from the Web Gallery of Art

English Perpendicular Style and the Chapel of Henry VII

We find another architectural example of the Perpendicular style with the Chapel of Henry VII in Westminster Abbey in London (ca. early 16C). Here, the linear ribs of the choir in the Gloucester Cathedral have come to resemble delicate, lace embroidery (often referred to as "fan" vaults). In this structure, we have yet another illustration of what we have seen (and will see) so many times in our study of art: modest innovation in the early part of a period becomes almost unbelievably amplified in the later portion of the period.

Our study of the Gothic style in Germany will begin with the Cologne Cathedral, which was begun in 1248, but not completed until 1880! Still, the nineteenth-century builders remained true to the Gothic plan directed by the cathedral's original architect, Gerhard of Cologne, as we see in our images. Note especially the three-story elevation, the lancets and the pointed arches.

Cologne Cathedral (b.1248) by WQA

Cologne Cathedral nave (b.1248) by WQA

The influence of French Gothic sculpture is also evident in German Gothic works. A striking example of this is found in a tympanum from the south transept doorway of the Strasbourg Cathedral (ca. 13C).

Here, we see the Death of the Virgin Mary (a non-Biblical scene). Surrounding the Virgin are the Twelve Apostles (nicely filling the arched frame) with Christ in the center receiving Mary's soul (represented by the doll-like figure in Christ's left hand). While in the foreground we find Mary Magdalene crouching in grief.

In this work, the range of expressions, the fluid motion, dramatic poses and flowing drapery are all certainly following French sculptural precedents.

Death of the Virgin tympanum from the Strasbourg Cathedral (ca. 13C) from the Web Gallery of Art

Orvieto Cathedral (ca. 14C) by JRM

Doges Palace, Venice (ca. 14C) by SR

We will end our study of the Gothic period with a "summary" work, the Milan Cathedral (b. 14C). Because Milan is situated in Northern Italy, this church reflects both the Northern and Italian Gothic elements.

From the Northern style we see pointed arches, pinnacles and delicate tracery along with the presence of a transept. While the Italian Gothic style is evident in the wider nave (more like a basilica) and the generally planar facade.

• Gloucester Cathedral choir (ca. 14C)
• Orvieto Cathedral (ca. 14C)
• Milan Cathedral (b. 14C)

• Perpendicular Style
• ogee arch
• quatrefoil

Assignment 5.10 - Essay Practice

After you have reviewed the cumulative notes, complete the online assessment 5.10. Remember that your first submission should be done with a time constraint and without notes. This is a 30-minute essay.