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Characteristics of Romanesque and Gothic
Characteristics of Romanesque and Gothic
The Path of Human Evolution
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As the timeline of humans progressed since the very first settlements, so did the way humans built structures. Human beings became smarter and the planning behind enormous structures became more intricate and marvelous. Further back in history, places of worship played an enormous part in the everyday lives of everyone in those times. Different civilizations have built great temples of worship that have expressed their love of a deity (or deities). These great buildings embody the very best that those people can offer: their best engineering, their best carpentry, their best architecture, their best decoration. Two great examples are the Romanesque Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy and the Gothic Chartres Cathedral. While these two structures are
Taller than the ancient pyramids in Egypt, large enough to hold the statue of liberty. 100 pounds of weightless stones, heavy enough to hold the Empire state building are the Great Cathedrals (PBS, 2011). Intrigued by the beauty in structure but puzzled by the very construction, without technology for building purposes has researchers mind wondering. In reference to the NOVA program, building of Gothic cathedral begin as a race of height, which over time this plan backfired because of the recent architectural discoveries in the foundation. The NOVA program pointed out that in this race of constructing the tallest building wasn’t the only concern between two rivalry cities in Europe; it purpose was recognized as a scared space for spiritual reasoning to bring ordinary someone closer to God (PBS, 2011).
Pantheon and Hagia Sophia Pantheon and Hagia Sophia are two extremely outstanding architectural pieces of their times. They have been built according to the traditions of those particular times. The materials used to built these buildings and the purpose for which they were used are all very important aspects and have been briefly covered in this report. Pantheon The statesman Agrippa built pantheon in 27 B.C. Then it was completely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian. The Pantheon is remarkable for its size, its construction, and its design. The dome was the largest built until modern times. The present structure was probably originally built as a temple for all the pagan gods. We do hear of it as being a law-court and a reception area for Emperor Hadrian meeting his quests too. Some say that the rotunda of the building was once a Roman bath. Due to all this mystery, the Pantheon is often referred to as the Sphinx of Rome. The visitor will probably not appreciate the construction as much as the Flavian amphitheatre, but it is still a great masterpiece of engineering and well worth a visit. Most Roman and Greek temples at the time of the Pantheon's construction were large, colonnaded, rectangular enclosures with sanctuaries situated in their centers. The Pantheon was different. It consisted of a large circular drum topped with a hemispherical dome. It is a masterpiece of both engineering and art a lasting memory of Ancient Rome’s might. Roman architecture is architecture of wall and enclosed tactile space. Individual column with entablature is no longer the basic architectural unity. Spatially, it shows a development from closed, simple space units and regular articulation to more complex spatial relations, more fluid interpenetrati...
Although the Pantheon and the Cathedral of Chartres are both some of the greatest architectural advances in history they are very different. We can compare the time that each of the buildings was built, where and for who they were built for, and why they were built. Another thing we can compare is the structure of the buildings and the type of material they are built from.
Ziggy Marley once said, “God is like the sun. When the sun shines, it shines for everyone. God is for everyone.” In the same way, Abbot Suger built the Basilica of St. Denis so that sunlight would flood throughout the building and symbolize the power of God inviting visitors into the cathedral. The Basilica of St. Denis was an artistic response to the rise of the Catholic Church’s power for it was modeled to be a physical representation of heaven, which the church heavily preached upon. (Thesis) As the basilica represented the shift from Romanesque architecture to Gothic, Abbot Suger introduced new techniques that transformed cathedrals to look more spacious and “heavenly”. (Map Statement #1-Art History) By allowing sunlight to come through the large windows, Abbot Suger instilled the Neo-Platonic idea that the sun was the physical representation of God. (Map Statement #2 –Philosophy) Also, at that time, the church was rising in power, so the new structural style of the basilica brought more converts and eventually more power to the church. (Map Statement #3 –Social Institutions) [Insert Literature Map Statement] The Basilica of St. Denis was built so that worshippers would be in awe of the “heaven-like” setting, which would cause more people to declare their faith to God and to the church.
When one sees the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral in person or in pictures they are likely to be awestruck. The twin towers of the western façade rise high into the sky, seemingly in an attempt to scrape heaven. Spiky arches seem to grow out of the sides and claw at the ground. Inside it is cavernous with colored light filtering in through the large, intricate stained glass windows. All of these physical qualities make Notre Dame a prime example of Gothic architecture. It does not stand alone in that distinction. One is also likely to see several hundred examples of this style on varying scales throughout Europe. Because, despite its humble origins, Gothic architecture became the standard for religious buildings in the early 11th century thanks to innovative use of new and old design techniques which resulted in majestic buildings that symbolized the builder’s version of heaven.
The rise of Catholicism led to the construction of multiple religious buildings. When advances were made in the world of art, they were quickly translated to the field of architecture. The Catholic church was quick to embrace these new designs. As a result, we see even today true masterpieces of art in the form of cathedrals. The distinguished Winchester cathedral in Great Britain is a prime example of Romanesque architecture.
With the Pantheon being built over 1700 years ago, it’s amazing that architects are still using features and techniques from this work of architecture in modern creations. The use of this type of classical architecture will continue to be used in works for public space due to its remarkable exterior appearance and it’s long lasting structural durability. When both Jesse hall and the Pantheon are compared it is possible to see their similarities from the types of domes that top each, their external facades, and their interior plan. While they share many similarities, the differences that Bell and Binder used in their creation make this work of architecture unique to many other public spaces.
The Romanesque and Gothic architecture period both occurred during the Middle Ages with the Gothic period taking place during the later half. Gothic and Romanesque architecture were related in many ways, but they also contrasted in style too. Over time, masons began to test the waters and push the limits. They thought of new ways to add lighting and ways to allow more height to the building without it being to heavy and weak. Many of the reasons for the change in styles had a lot to do with society and the changes it faced. There was a greater intensity occurring in piety and literature. The Gothic style embodied this new urban society. Romanesque and Gothic shared similar characteristics, but Gothic architecture was a greater departure from its previous predecessor.
When Charlemagne was inaugurated as the Holy Roman Emperor in 9th. Century, Europe commenced taking its initial strides further than the Dark Ages subsequently the collapse of Rome in the 5th era. The remnants of Roman development were noticed throughout the region, in addition lore of the prodigious kingdom need to be circulated throughout the ages. So when Charlemagne sought to merge his territory as well as verify his supremacy, he commenced construction on house of worship. Later a break of about two century with no massive structure developments, the designers of Charlemagne’s era explored the vaulted method realized in Christian Roman structures as a template. It is a rational arrangement of pressures as well as reinforcement, which was
Both St. John the Baptist Cathedral and Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Chartres are constructed in French Gothic style which means that architecturally they have many similarities. However, the 700 year gap between their construction
The cathedral of Notre-Dame at Chartres must be one of the most beautiful and famous architectural specimens in the world today. The cathedral owns an exquisite silhouette against the sky of La Beauce. Two towers rise uncontested, to take watch over miles and miles of French countryside. Up close, the two towers, along with their spires, seem mismatched or unrelated. Yet, the two together provide for one of the most interesting juxtapositions in architecture. €Chartres cathedral has had a tumultuous history with both tragedies and triumphs. Charpentier notes that the site of the cathedral has also served various other purposes. The Romans had used the higher ground for a military camp, part of which still exists on the eastern side of the cathedral by the transition of apse to choir. In addition to the camp site, there was also the existance of a Gallo-Roman temple on the same site as Chartres cathedral. This temple is believed to have the same orientation as the cathedral and the cathedral's round apse uses the foundation of a Gallo-Roman defensive tower. This use of the Gallo-Roman defensive tower is also present at Bourges cathedral. The lower parts of the defensive tower formed a crypt which was incorporated into the ninth century Church of Gislebert, also known as Saint Lubin's chapel. On the night of September seventh 1020, the Church was completely razed by fire. €After the destruction of the church in Chartres, the bishop of Chartres, Saint Fulbert, spearheaded the campaign to build a church in Chartres. Only the crypt remained from the earlier Caroligian church and Fulbert built his Romanesque church around the enduring crypt. Fulbert's church lasted 200 years, but in 1134 the front faœade was damaged by another fire. It was at this time that a effort to update and restore the church was put into motion. The religious powers, along with the Crusaders longed for a greater monument. Thus, Chartres decided to begin a separate tower.€This adding on to Romanesque churches was not unusual for the day. The abbey-church at Cluny, outside Italy, was given a new magnificent five-bay narthex and two bell-towers. A similar renovation was attempted at La CharitŒ, but funds ran short and the upgrades could not be completed. €Hence, in 1134 the tower forming the north-west corner of the present-day cathedral, (the left tower of the west faœade elevation), underwent construction.
Moving over the hillside in the distance I see skyward stretching spires standing out against the horizontal terrain of the farming land that surrounds Chartres Cathedral at its place at the center of the community. As I draw closer the spires pulls my eyes upwards toward Heavens. The flying buttress, which allowed significantly taller towers and ceilings to be constructed, adding to the enormity of the structure as well as creating a wing-like facade giving an angelic impression to yet again reinforce the heavenly purpose of the cathedral.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres has dominated the small town of Chartres, France. Chartres cathedral is one of the most preserved cathedrals in the world and was built between 1194-1250 after the area was plagued by fires. With that being said, the cathedral and its significance holds a lot of history within its walls. During the middle ages Chartres cathedral was the most important building in town by serving as a marketplace and the holder of important relics. These attractions brought a wide amount of pilgrimage, and still does to its day.
Christian churches as we know them grew out of a number of features of the Roman period. Certain examples of this can be seen in the house church, the atrium, the basilica, the bema, the mausoleum, and the cruciform. When Christianity became the lawful religion, Christians began to express itself in buildings. Christian architecture was created in direct correlation to civic and immoral forms. Therefore the Roman basilica was used as model for churches. As early Christians built communities, they drew on one particular feature, the atrium with a colonnade surrounding it. Although most have disappeared, the Basilica of San Clemente still stands as great example. The bema or raised dais formed part of many basilican churches. This bema extended laterally beyond the main meeting hall, which formed tow arms so the building took on a T shape with projecting apse. This is the shape most of the Western Cathedrals and large churches developed. One heavy influence on church architecture was the mausoleum. The Roman mausoleum was square or circular domed structure. The Emperor Constantine can be credited responsible for the building of a circular, mausoleum-like church which in turn
...e Dame and the Chartres were amazing and ornate in their design. Their tall designs drew peoples' eyes to the heavens. Their extensive use of stained-glass is still used as a design feature in churches today. To think about it, a lot of work, money, and time were put into these two structures for strictly spiritual reasons. They were mainly dedicated to the Virgin Mary and several sections of them were dedicated to various saints. This definitely showed their ample faith and commitment to God. These two buildings were and are very important in French Gothic style cathedrals. The Notre Dame was the first cathedral that was built perfectly to scale. These techniques were used in construction of later cathedrals. Finally, later constructed cathedrals of French Gothic style were modeled after these two magnificent pieces of art known as Notre Dame and Chartres.