History of Gothic Era Architecture
Materials / Styles
The characteristic forms that were to define Gothic architecture grew out of Romanesque architecture and developed at several different geographic locations, as the result of different influences and structural requirements.
- While barrel vaults and groin vaults are typical of Romanesque architecture, ribbed vaults were used in the naves of two Romanesque churches in Caen, Abbey of Saint-Étienne and Abbaye aux Dames in 1120. Another early example is the nave and apse area of the Cathedral of Cefalù in 1131. The ribbed vault over the north transept at Durham Cathedral in England, built from 1128 to 1133, is probably earlier still and was the first time pointed arches were used in a high vault.
- vertical shafts, clustered columns, compound piers, plate tracery and groups of narrow openings had evolved during the Romanesque period. The west front of Ely Cathedral exemplifies this development. Internally the three tiered arrangement of arcade, gallery and clerestory was established. Interiors had become lighter with the insertion of more and larger windows.
Famous Architects
Villard de Honnecourt (Wilars dehonecort, Vilars de Honecourt) was a 13th-century artist from Picardy in northern France. He is known to history only through a surviving portfolio or "sketchbook" containing about 250 drawings and designs of a wide variety of subjects.
Peter Parler (Latin: Petrus de Gemunden in Suevia, Czech: Petr Parléř, (c. 1330, Schwäbisch Gmünd – July 13, 1399, Prague) was a German-Bohemian architect, best known for building Saint Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge in Prague, where he lived from about 1356.
Benedikt Rejt (often spelled Benedikt Ried), also known as Benedikt Rieth, Benedikt Reyd, or Benedict Reijt. In Czech, he often has the epithet "of Pístov" [a village in the Czech Republic] or "of Louny"; c. 1450 – between 1531 and 1536)
Benedikt Rejt was a leading medieval architect in Bohemia, today's Czech Republic. He built Vladislav Hall (1497–1500) in Prague Castle, St. Barbara's Church, Kutna Hora, (c. 1482) and other buildings in Late Gothic and early Renaissance style.
Benedikt Rejt was a leading medieval architect in Bohemia, today's Czech Republic. He built Vladislav Hall (1497–1500) in Prague Castle, St. Barbara's Church, Kutna Hora, (c. 1482) and other buildings in Late Gothic and early Renaissance style.