Gothic style and the subtleties of its implementation. Russian pseudo-Gothic and European neo-Gothic: architectural cousins Main location of the style
Mysterious, majestic, even terrifying - all these epithets refer to the same style. It occupies a separate niche in almost all types of art: sculpture, painting, book miniatures, stained glass, frescoes. But in the modern world Gothic style unexpectedly embodied by fashion trends in clothing, makeup and interiors.
Gothic style
Gothic is usually called a segment of development in medieval art in the West, Central and East of Europe. In the historical scale, this period belongs to XII - XVI century. Gothic replaced romance, gradually displacing it. The term "Gothic" is increasingly used to describe famous style architecture, characterized as terribly beautiful and terribly majestic.
Gothic originated in the middle of the 12th century in northern France. Until the 13th century, it not only spread, but also firmly took root in the territory occupied by modern Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain and England. Italy “infected” Gothic later, with great difficulty and great transformation, which led to the emergence of the “Italian Gothic” movement. The end of the 14th century was distinguished by the appearance of the so-called International Gothic in Europe. In Eastern European countries, Gothic appeared later, but also lasted a little longer.
Terrifyingly beautiful architecture
Buildings and works of art containing elements characteristic of Gothic, created during eclecticism, that is, in the middle of the century before last and later, are characterized by the term “neo-Gothic”.
What came as a surprise to everyone was the emergence of a genre of music called “gothic” in the early 1980s. This modern gothic style was used as the name for the “gothic rock” that emerged in those years, and later for the youth movement that was formed on the basis of such music - the “gothic subculture.”
The name itself comes from Italian word gotico, which translated means barbaric or unusual. But this style has nothing to do with Goten, that is, barbarians, historical Goths. At first the word was used as a slur. D. Vasari was the first to use this concept in its current meaning, separating the Renaissance from the Middle Ages. The development of medieval European art ended with Gothic. Emerging on the basis of Romanesque cultural achievements, during the Renaissance this medieval art was considered “barbaric,” cult in purpose, and religious in theme.
Gothic is a whole cultural layer that includes architecture, literature, and fine arts.
The Gothic style of the Middle Ages is especially clearly reflected in temple, cathedral, church and monastery architecture, which was formed on the basis of Romanesque, or more precisely Burgundian medieval architecture. But Gothic differs from the Romanesque style, its round arches, massive walls and small windows. It is distinguished by arches with a pointed dome, narrow and high towers and columns. The facade was richly decorated with carved fragments (vimpergs, tympanums, archivolts) and multicolor stained glass lancet windows. Most style elements are emphasized by a vertical orientation.
The 18th-19th centuries were marked by the development of an artistic style called neo-Gothic or “revived Gothic”. Borrowing the traditions and forms of classical Gothic, neo-Gothic, which originated in Great Britain, also spread to the countries of continental Europe and even America.
At times, neo-Gothic elements were intricately intertwined with the latest technologies of that time. For example, the Brooklyn Bridge in New York was equipped with arches in the form of Gothic windows on pillars. The most outstanding example of neo-Gothic architecture is considered to be the British Parliament building in London.
The famous Washington Cathedral, built in the neo-Gothic style (1907-1990)
Cathedral interior
Full view outside - a truly monumental structure
And this is the facade of the Church of St. Macloux (15-16 centuries) in France, built in the Flaming Gothic style. A truly mesmerizing sight
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York. Neo-Gothic, 1858-1878
A unique example gothic style in Rus' are the buildings of the Faceted Chamber and the belfry at the St. Sophia Cathedral in Veliky Novgorod. In medieval Russia, which was influenced by Byzantine art, Gothic was practically not perceived as a style worthy of attention. A certain similarity with Gothic is noticeable only in the structures of the towers and walls of the Moscow Kremlin.
But the imperial residence in Tsaritsyn is distinguished by its neo-Gothic style as the most outstanding monument of “Russian Gothic architecture” and the largest pseudo-Gothic complex in Europe.
As for furniture, the most striking example of the style is considered to be the dresser or cupboard. Often it was covered with painting. All furniture of that era is characterized by simplicity and heaviness. For example, for the first time, clothes and household items began to be stored in special cabinets, although previously only chests were used for this. So at the end of the Middle Ages prototypes appeared modern furniture: wardrobes, beds and armchairs. One of the most common furniture elements in those days was panel-frame knitting. The main materials in western and northern Europe were local wood species, including walnut, oak, pine, spruce, as well as larch, cedar and juniper.
A characteristic feature of the architecture is high, elongated pointed arches, windows, portals
During the era of the Crusades, a revolution occurred in the manufacture of weapons. In the East, Europeans managed to become acquainted with light steel that can be forged. Heavy chain mail had to retreat before a new type of armor. They connected pieces of metal with hinges, which made it possible to cover the entire surface of the complex shape, leaving enough freedom for movement. From such an unusual design of new armor appeared new form in European clothes. At the same time, all the cutting methods that are most known today were created.
Thanks to Gothic fashion, the loose Romanesque shirt-like form of clothing was replaced by a complex, tight-fitting cut. The peak of perfection of the Gothic costume was the end of the 15th century, when all of Europe submitted to the fashion created at the court of Burgundy. At this time, men's attire was shortened, and only elderly people, doctors and judges wore long clothes. Due to the tight-fitting jacket or upeland, narrow shawls and short cloak, the clothing became the embodiment of the aesthetic ideals of the era, emphasizing the slender image of a gallant young man, a graceful gentleman. Women's clothing changed due to the separation of the skirt part from the bodice. The width of the skirt has increased thanks to additional fabric inserts. Upper part The outfit featured a narrow bodice, tight-fitting long sleeves, and a triangular neckline on the back and chest. The woman's shoulders leaned back, creating a silhouette reminiscent of the letter S and called the “Gothic curve.” Similar to the architecture of that time, Gothic clothing was given a vertical orientation. With sheer ends of oversleeves, sharp cuffs, complex frame headdresses extended upward (atur), and pointed boots, this trend only intensified. The most popular and most expensive color was yellow, which predominated in men's clothing.
Gargoyles - demonic figures crowning the walls of Gothic cathedrals
Vintage photo - gargoyle on the wall of Notre Dame Cathedral
"Cute" skeleton holding up the vault
Gothic style in the interior
Compared to any design, it has many advantages: uniqueness, originality, mystery. However, as they say, it is not for everyone, because it is dominated only by dark tones with a dominant black color, which is often diluted with burgundy and purple. Much less often, details of light green, pink and white colors can be found, but they are not introduced to please the eyes.
Only a person truly fascinated by the atmosphere of the Gothic style will want to create a similar interior in his home with originality and some gloom. The owner of such penates even finds something romantic in death itself.
This type of interior is best embodied in large-scale buildings and large areas.
The Gothic style has no place in a small apartment, because creating such a design requires space. That's why the best option for him - a country house or an elite apartment.
However, although this style requires a large room height, its adherents manage to implement this design even with a not very high ceiling of standard housing.
Gothic style room should be created from the materials that were used by the ancient Goths, and this is natural wood and stone, deliberately processed roughly. But not everyone will use such original material, turning their house into a medieval castle. Therefore, the use of artificial analogues is quite acceptable.
A Gothic style lamp is perfect for creating a medieval atmosphere. The lighting requires special attention, as well as lighting effects, with the help of which you can create a special mystery inherent in Gothic.
Dressing table with mirror. Candlestick adds color
Another one distinguishing feature Gothic interior - the use of windows directed upwards, as well as similar arches. The decor can be openwork towers and ornaments in the Gothic style, which fill the atmosphere of the room with grandeur and grace. The windows are decorated with ornaments or stained glass.
To obtain a harmonious picture, due attention should be paid to Gothic furniture. This could be a sideboard with high legs, a double-door wardrobe with panels, a massive bed and chairs with high backs. Wooden furniture decorated with carvings also fits well into a similar interior. This interior looks heavy: although it is complemented by many sophisticated elements, it is still perceived as somewhat rough. Often, in addition to windows, even doors are made in the Gothic style.
To give the ceiling a “Gothic” look, you can use stucco, a vault effect, or open rafters. Accessories can include sculptures of various mythical creatures, lions, paintings, knightly armor and draperies.
Of course, it is almost impossible to completely convey the interior of an ancient castle. But gothic connoisseurs can also use simply elements of style that can give the features of the house a gothic sublimity.
Gothic style of clothing
The Gothic style of clothing received an unexpected embodiment. It is used mainly by girls and boys who belong to youth subculture- “gotam”. It mainly copies the European fashion of the Neo-Gothic centuries. The fundamental feature of the style is the predominance of details in all shades of black.
There is very little in modern Gothic fashion that makes it similar to the real clothing of the Goths of the Middle Ages. In the traditional Gothic outfit in the current sense, an extravagant cut and black color predominate. Among the materials, preference is given to leather, lace, silk, and velvet. The clothes also use details made of lurex, taffeta, organza, brocade and vinyl.
Victorian Gothic dress
Another striking example of the Victorian direction
Hat, corset, veil - Gothic beauties can be incredibly feminine
Victorian style, male version
Goth girls typically wear corsets, giving the silhouette a slender and seductive outline. They are worn over basic clothing - a shirt or dress. A midi skirt, leather pants or a floor-length dress is considered a current element of outfits. Even miniskirts are very popular in the gothic style. Girls' outerwear is mainly a long leather or fabric cloak.
Goth men are characterized by a pronounced femininity, so their clothes exactly repeat the elements of women's outfits. Of course, Gothic-style dresses and corsets are still the prerogative of women exclusively, but skirts in the Gothic subculture can easily be worn by men. Everything else is the same black shirt, hoodie, long cloak and leather tight pants.
“Modern” Goths look a little different. There is no longer stylization of the Middle Ages or the Victorian era
When it comes to footwear, high, heavy boots like “grinders” are popular among girls and boys of the Gothic culture. Also welcome are different types of shoes with high platforms, which can be worn by both boys and girls. The fair sex can wear boots, ankle boots or high-heeled shoes. As for the color of the shoes, it, of course, remains only black.
Goth girls really like the inclusion of elegant hats with a black veil, as well as openwork lace gloves, in their outfits.
Characteristic ones are exclusively silver jewelry that can only be replaced with white gold. But at times the Goths can also use inexpensive base metals. The traditional use of white in accessories is considered a symbol of the cold, deathly light of the Moon. With its help, the mournful nature of Gothic clothes and the pallor of the faces of the Goths are perfectly emphasized.
Creating a gothic ensemble is very simple, but looking and being a goth is... different concepts. To comply with the Goth subculture, it is important to live by it, believe in it and not betray even the smallest things. But to create the right gothic costume, you just need to follow the basic stylistic recommendations. Moreover, they do not represent anything new: black clothes, lace, leather, frills, high platform boots, a black or red corset, torn jeans, a skirt and black mesh tights. Torn black T-shirts, gloves, long sleeves, black shirts and trousers are also appropriate. You can complement the look with combat boots, jewelry in the form of crosses, spiders, skulls, dragons, silver chains, massive rings, spiked collars, facial piercings, and non-glamorous jewelry.
Backpacks with spikes, stripes, paint stains, and deliberate tears will help you stand out from the crowd. All that remains is to do the most gloomy makeup, a bloody manicure, a hairstyle with the effect of greasy hair - and forward to unity with the world of darkness!
Photo
Gothic architecture began with the Basilica of Saint Denis near Paris and the Cathedral of Sens in 1140 and ended in early XVI century with the final flourishing of buildings such as Henry VII's Chapel at Westminster. However, Gothic architecture did not disappear completely in the 16th century, but survived in ongoing cathedral and church building projects in the more isolated rural areas of England, France, Spain, Germany and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Neo-Gothic architecture (also called Victorian Gothic) is an architectural movement that emerged in the late 1740s in England. His popularity grew rapidly in early XIX century, when increasingly serious and learned admirers of the neo-Gothic style sought to revive medieval Gothic architecture, as opposed to the neoclassical style that was prevalent at the time.
Famous neo-Gothic buildings:
Top: Palace of Westminster, London;
Left: Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh;
Right: Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Ostend, Belgium.
In England, the center of this revival, the Gothic Revival was associated with deeply philosophical movements associated with the reawakening High Church or Anglo-Catholic self-belief (as well as with the Catholic convert Augustus Welby Pugin) and concerned with the rise of religious nonconformism. Ultimately, the style became widespread due to its intrinsic appeal in the third quarter of the XIX century. Neo-Gothic architecture varied considerably in its fidelity to the ornamental style and construction principles of the original medieval, sometimes slightly oversized, pointed window frames. What was also different was the few touches of Gothic decoration on what would otherwise have been an entirely 19th century building using modern materials and construction techniques.
In parallel with the power of the neo-Gothic style in the 19th century in England, interest in it quickly spread to the rest of the European continent, to Australia, South Africa And South America; in fact, the number of Gothic Revival and Carpenter Gothic (early English Gothic) buildings built in the 19th and 20th centuries may exceed the number of genuine Gothic buildings built earlier.
The Gothic revival proceeded parallel to and supported by the revival of medieval art, which had its roots in antiquarian matters with their survivals and curiosities. As industrialization progressed, so did protests against the production of machines and the emergence of factories. Proponents of all things picturesque, such as Thomas Carlyle and Augustus Pugin, were critical of industrial society and portrayed pre-industrial medieval society as a golden age. For Pugin, Gothic architecture was imbued with Christian values, which were later supplanted by classicism and destroyed by industrialization.
Neo-Gothic also had a political background; While the "rational" and "radical" neoclassical style was associated with republicanism and liberalism (as evidenced by its use in the United States and to a lesser extent in republican France), the more "spiritual" and "traditional" neo-Gothic became associated with monarchism and conservatism, which reflected in the style choices for the rebuilt Palace of Westminster in London and Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
IN mid-18th century century with the advent of Romanticism, increased interest and awareness of the Middle Ages among some influential experts provided a more correct approach to selected medieval art, starting with church architecture, tombstones kings and nobility, stained glass windows and late Gothic manuscripts. At the same time, other types of Gothic art continued to be perceived as barbaric and crude, for example, tapestries and metalwork.
Some Britons, and soon some German romantics (the philosopher and writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe and the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel) began to appreciate the picturesque character of ruins - the term "picturesque" became a new aesthetic quality - and the softening effect of time, which Horace Walpole, the English writer and the founder of the Gothic novel, admired, slyly calling it “the true rust of the baronial wars.” The "Gothic" details of Walpole's Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham appeal to the Rococo tastes of the time. By the early 1770s, thoroughly neoclassical architects such as Robert Adam and James Wyatt were ready to provide Gothic detailing in drawing rooms, libraries and chapels to create the romantic image of a Gothic abbey, Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire. This is one of the earliest evidence of the revival of Gothic architecture in Scotland. Built from 1746, with design input from William Adam, Inveraray Castle is a collection of watchtowers.
Basically, the neo-Gothic style was represented by ordinary houses in the Palladian style, which included some external features of the Scottish baronial style. Houses in this style by Robert Adam include Mellerstine and Wedderburn in Berwickshire and Seton House in East Lothian, but the style is most evident at Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, rebuilt by Adam from 1777. Eccentric landscape designer Betty Langley even tried to “improve” Gothic forms by giving them classical proportions.
Romanticism and nationalism. Neo-Gothic in Europe
The roots of French Gothic Revival lie in French medieval Gothic architecture created in the 12th century. Gothic architecture in the Middle Ages was sometimes called Opus Francigenum - "The Art of France". French scholar Alexandre de Laborde wrote in 1816 that “Gothic architecture has its charm,” which marked the beginning of the development of Gothic Revival in France. Beginning in 1828, Alexandre Brongniart, director of the Sèvres porcelain factory, produced fired enamel paintings on large panels of plate glass for the Royal Chapel of Louis-Philippe in Dreux. It would be difficult to find large, significant commissions in Gothic taste that preceded this, except for a few Gothic features in some gardens.
Meanwhile, in Germany, interest began to be shown in Cologne Cathedral, which had begun construction in 1248 and was still unfinished at the time of the Gothic revival. Romantic movement The 1820s brought renewed interest and work began again in 1842, dramatically marking the return of German Gothic architecture.
Thanks to the Romantic Nationalism movement of the early 19th century, the Germans, French and English claimed that 12th-century Gothic architecture originated in their own country. The English boldly coined the term "Early English" for Gothic, which implied that Gothic was an English creation. In his 1832 novel Notre-Dame de Paris, Victor Hugo said, “Let us encourage in this country, if possible, a love of national architecture,” implying that the Gothic was France's national heritage. In Germany, with the completion of Cologne Cathedral in 1880, at that time the most tall building in the world, this cathedral began to be considered as the pinnacle of Gothic architecture. Other major Gothic cathedrals were Regensburg Cathedral (with two spiers, 1869-1872), Münster Cathedral in Ulm (with a 161-meter tower, 1890) and St. Vitus' Cathedral (1844-1929).
Grade
By 1872, Gothic Revivalism in the United Kingdom was mature enough for Charles Locke Eastlake, an influential design professor, to write A History of the Gothic Revival, but the first extended essay on the movement written within the emerging field of art history was Neo-Gothic. Kenneth Clark. This essay appeared in 1928.
Characteristic buildings
Gothic façade of the Parliament of Rouen in France, built between 1499 and 1508, which later inspired the Neo-Gothic Revival in the 19th century, photo by Goldorak73,
Cologne Cathedral, completed in 1880 (although construction began in 1248), with a facade 157 meters high and a nave 43 meters high, photo by Thomas Wolf,
Neo-Gothic in the USA
In the United States, the first church in the "Gothic style" (as opposed to churches with Gothic elements) was Trinity Episcopal Church in Greene, New Haven, Connecticut. It was designed by the famous American architect Iphiel Towne between 1812 and 1814, but even at that time he was building another Federalist style church in New Haven next to this radical new "Gothic style" church. Its cornerstone was laid in 1814 and it was dedicated in 1816. Thus, this church was built a decade before St. Luke's Church in Chelsea, London, which is often called the first neo-Gothic church in London. Although the church was built of trappe (rock) with arched windows and doors, part of its Gothic tower and battlements were made of wood.
Episcopal congregations subsequently built other neo-Gothic buildings in Connecticut: St. John's Cathedral in Salisbury (1823), St. John's Cathedral in Kent (1823-26), St. Andrew's Cathedral in Marble Dale (1821-23). This was followed by the design for Christ Church Cathedral (Hartford, Connecticut) in 1827, which included gothic elements, such as buttresses. St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Troy, New York was built in 1827-1828 as exact copy architect Towne's design for Trinity Church, New Haven, but using local stone; due to changes to the original, St Paul's Church was closer to Towne's original design than Trinity Church itself. In the 1830s, architects began to copy specific English Gothic and neo-Gothic churches, and these "mature neo-Gothic" buildings made the domestic Gothic architectural style that preceded them appear primitive and old-fashioned. Since then neo-gothic architecture spread to thousands of churches and neo-Gothic buildings throughout America.
XX century
The Gothic style requires the use of compressed structural elements, resulting in tall, fortified buildings with internal columns of load-bearing masonry and tall, narrow windows. But by the beginning of the 20th century, technological developments such as steel frames, incandescent light bulbs and elevators led to the fact that this style of architecture began to be considered obsolete. Steel frames replaced the non-decorative functions of arched vaults and buttresses, creating the opportunity to build wide, open interiors with fewer columns to obstruct the eye.
Some architects persistently continued to use neo-Gothic tracery on iron frames, such as Cass Gilbert's 1913 Woolworth Building in New York and Raymond Hood's 1922 Tribune Tower in Chicago. However, during the first half of the 20th century, the neo-Gothic style began to be replaced by modernism. Some modernists saw the Gothic tradition of architectural form solely through the lens of an "honest expression" of current technology and considered themselves the rightful heirs of this tradition, with its rectangular frames and exposed iron beams.
Despite this, Gothic Revival continued to exert its influence, simply because many of the projects in this style were still being built in the second half of the 20th century, such as Giles Gilbert Scott's Liverpool Cathedral and Washington Cathedral (1907 -1990). Ralph Adams Crum became a leading force in American Gothic with his most ambitious design for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in New York (claimed to be the largest Anglican cathedral in the world), as well as designs for student Gothic buildings at Princeton University. Crum said that this “style, carved and perfected by our ancestors, is our undisputed heritage.”
Although the number of new neo-Gothic buildings declined sharply after the 1930s, they continued to be built. Bury St Edmunds Cathedral (UK) was built between the late 1950s and 2005. A new Gothic-style church is planned for St. Jean Vianney Parish in Fishers, Indiana.
Characteristic buildings
Elevador di Santa Justa (elevator), 1901, Lisbon, Portugal
on this topic:
He began to outlive himself. At this time, the first prerequisites for an unusual new art arose. The name "Gothic", "Gothic architecture" comes from the word "Goths" - barbarian tribes with Germanic roots.
People of the Renaissance with refined manners were outraged that art was taking on a form that was far from the ancient canons. They called the new style Gothic, that is, barbaric. Almost all art of the Middle Ages fell under this definition.
This trend existed for some time together with the old trend, so it is quite difficult to separate them by different chronological boundaries. But it is possible to identify features of the Gothic style in architecture that were not similar to Romanesque.
When in the twelfth century romanesque art was at the very peak of its development, a new movement began to emerge. Even the forms, lines and themes of the works were significantly different from everything that had come before.
The Gothic style in architecture is divided into several stages:
early Gothic;
the tall, or mature, species reached its limits in the 13th century;
flaming, or late, reached its peak in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Main style location
Gothic was popular where the Christian church dominated secular life. Thanks to a new type of architecture, temples, churches, monasteries, and churches appeared.
It originated in a small French province called Ile de France. At the same time, architects from Switzerland and Belgium discovered it. But in Germany, where this art got its name, it appeared later than the others. Other architectural styles flourished there. The Gothic style became the pride of Germany.
First try
With the beginning of the twelfth century, the main features characteristic of this direction appeared in the architecture of various cathedrals. So, if you look at the Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris, you can see an unusual arch. It is this building that personifies the entire Gothic style in the architecture of Western Europe. A certain abbot Suger supervised the construction.
The clergyman ordered that several internal walls be removed during construction. The Abbey immediately began to seem more voluminous, solemn and large-scale.
Heritage
Although the Gothic style in architecture concentrates mainly on individual human experiences, it also took a lot from its predecessor. Romanesque architecture handed over its laurels to this style and faded into the background.
The main object of Gothic style was the cathedral as a symbiosis of painting, architecture, and sculpture. If earlier architects preferred to create churches with round windows, thick walls with many supports and small interior spaces, then with the advent of this style everything changed. The new trend carried space and light. Often the windows were decorated with stained glass with Christian scenes. Tall columns, towers, oblong arches and carved facades appeared.
The horizontal Romanesque style left room for vertical Gothic stripes.
Cathedral
The cathedral became the central place of any city. Parishioners visited it, they studied there, beggars lived here, and even played games. theatrical performances. Sources often mention that the government also met in church premises.
Initially, the Gothic style for the cathedral had the goal of significantly expanding the space and making it lighter. After such a monastery was created in France, the fashion began to quickly spread throughout Europe.
The values of the new religion, forcibly imposed during the Crusades, spread the Gothic style in architecture in Syria, Rhodes, and Cyprus. And the monarchs, placed on the throne by the Pope, saw divine conduct in acute forms and began to actively use them in Spain, England, and Germany.
Characteristics of the Gothic style in architecture
What distinguishes Gothic architecture from other styles is the presence of a stable frame. The main part Such a frame becomes arrow-shaped arches, vaults going upward in the form of arcs and crosses.
A Gothic style building typically consists of:
Traveya - elongated cells of a rectangular design:
four arches:
4 pillars;
the skeleton of the vault, which is formed from the above-mentioned arches and pillars and has a cruciform shape;
flying buttresses - arches that serve to support the building;
buttresses - stable pillars outside the room, often decorated with carvings or spikes;
the windows are in an arched style, with mosaics, as clearly shows the Gothic style in the architecture of France and Germany.
While in Romanesque classical art the church is separated from the outside world, Gothic strives for interaction between the nature outside and the life of the cathedral inside.
Secular architecture in a new way
Given that in the Dark Ages the church and religion in general were inseparable from the daily life of the people of that time, the fashion for the Gothic style in the architecture of the Middle Ages spread everywhere.
Following the cathedrals, town halls began to be built with the same characteristic features, as well as residential buildings, castles, mansions outside the city.
French Gothic masterpieces
The founder of this style was a monk from the Abbey of Saint-Denis, who decided to create a completely new building. He was nicknamed the godfather of Gothic, and the church began to be shown as an example to other architects.
In the fourteenth century, another striking example of Gothic architecture arose in the capital of France, which became famous throughout the world - Notre Dame Cathedral, a Catholic stronghold of faith in the city center, which has retained all the features of the Gothic style in architecture to this day.
The shrine was built where the Romans had previously honored the god Jupiter. Since ancient times, the place has been an important religious center.
The first stone was laid in the new church by Pope Alexander the Third, as well as Louis the Seventh. The cathedral was designed by the famous architect Maurice de Sully.
However, the founder of Notre Dame never saw his brainchild. After all, the cathedral was built only after a hundred years of continuous work.
According to the official plan, the temple was supposed to accommodate ten thousand citizens who lived in Paris at that time. And become a refuge and salvation in times of danger.
After so many years of construction, the city has grown several times. When it was completed, the cathedral became the center of all Paris. At the entrance, bazaars and fairs immediately formed, and street performers began performing. The elite of the Parisian nobility gathered with him and discussed new fashion trends.
They took refuge here during revolutions and wars.
Arrangements of the Notre Dame Cathedral
The frame of the cathedral is connected by many thin pillars using an arch. Inside, the walls stretch high and close together imperceptibly to the naked eye. The oblong windows are covered with colored stained glass. The hall is in twilight. The rays that do pass through the glass illuminate hundreds of sculptures made of silver, wax, and marble. They froze ordinary people, kings, church ministers in various poses.
Instead of the walls of the church, it was as if they had simply placed a frame of dozens of pillars. Colored paintings are placed between them.
The cathedral has five naves. The third one is much larger than the others. Its height reaches thirty-five meters.
If measured by modern standards, then such a cathedral can easily accommodate a twelve-story residential building.
The last two naves intersect and visually form a cross between them. It symbolizes the life and suffering of Jesus Christ.
Money from the public treasury was spent on the construction of the cathedral. Parisians saved them and donated them after every Sunday service.
The cathedral has suffered greatly in modern times. Thus, the original stained glass windows can be seen only on the western and southern facades. Sculptures are visible in the choir, on the facades of the building.
Germany
The Gothic style of architecture was named after the tribes living in German territory. It was in this country that he experienced his heyday. The main attractions of Gothic architecture in Germany are:
1. Cologne Cathedral. This temple began to be built in the thirteenth century. Nevertheless, work on it was completed only in the nineteenth century, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty. Its style is reminiscent of Amiens Cathedral.
The towers have sharp ends. The middle nave is high, while the other four are of approximately the same proportions. The decor for the cathedral is very light and elegant.
At the same time, constrained dry proportions are noticeable.
The western branch of the church was completed in the nineteenth century.
2. Worms Cathedral, built in the thirteenth century by order of the local ruler.
3. Notre Dame in Ulm.
4. Cathedral in Naumburg.
Italian Gothic
Italy has long preferred to remain committed to ancient traditions, to the Romanesque style, and then to Baroque and Rococo.
But this country could not help but be inspired by the medieval trend that was new at that time. After all, it was in Italy that the Pope's residence was located.
The most striking example of Gothic architecture can be considered the Doge's Palace in Venice. Mixed with cultural traditions of this city, it acquired its own unique characteristics, preserving the signs of the Gothic style in architecture.
In Venice, builders missed in their drawings the constructivism that reigned in this direction. They focused on decoration.
The façade of the Palace is unique in its components. So, on the lower floor there are columns of white marble. They form pointed arches between themselves.
The building itself seems to settle on top of the columns and presses them to the ground. And the second floor is formed with the help of a large loggia along the entire perimeter of the building, on which supports are also placed, more elegant and elongated, with unusual carvings. This pattern extends to the third floor, the walls of which seem to be devoid of those windows that are characteristic of Gothic architecture. Instead of numerous frames, an ornament in geometric shapes appeared on the facade.
This Gothic-Italian style combines the luxury of Byzantine culture and European austerity. Piety and love of life.
Other Italian examples of the Gothic style in architecture:
The palace in Milan, which began to be built in the fourteenth century and was completed in the nineteenth;
Palazzo d'Oro (or Palazzo Santa Sofia) in Venice.
The century of the rapid industrial revolution and the subsequent processes of urbanization, the scale of which no one could initially predict, decisively changed the landscape of the city and countryside. Maybe more than any other form artistic creativity, the architecture reflected the controversial aspects of the time.
An urgent need both due to new needs and as a result of the emergence of new materials and technical means provided by industry, however long time architectural thought was constrained by traditional concepts. Back in the middle of the 19th century. Projects in the neoclassical style were widely implemented, i.e. it was a question of offering popular neo-Greek or neo-Gothic architectural modules. Only in the second half of the 19th century did shifts emerge in architectural design associated with the use of elements that had never before been used together.
Origins of Neo-Gothic
During the 19th century. have arisen repeatedly cultural phenomena retrospective in nature - with reference to elements of Greek or Gothic architecture. One of the most noticeable phenomena of this kind was neo-Gothic, which began as a “Gothic revival”, gothic revival.
Origins back in the 18th century. in England, where this trend was not interrupted, as a trend of the picturesque and sublime, and then it spread throughout Europe.
Neo-Gothic Features
Aspects and factors in the formation of the neo-Gothic movement seem diverse and complex, but its very statement is definitely associated with romanticism, which saw one of the tasks of art in expressing the spirit of the people, and the architecture of the Middle Ages was considered precisely as a symbol of history and national tradition in various European countries, in obvious connection with the revival of the medieval spirit historical novel(starting with Walter Scott) and romantic melodrama.
Another important aspect was the flourishing - for the first time on a scientific basis - of historical-critical studies of medieval art, with a close study especially famous monuments, for the purpose of restoration practice, which was becoming increasingly widespread everywhere. But there were two countries where by the middle of the 19th century. neo-Gothic achieved the most striking results: these are England and France.
Neo-Gothic in England
In England, ethical and social teachings played a role, which also affected the work of the London architect Augustus W. Pugin (1812-1852), the author, together with Charles Barry, of the Houses of Parliament in London (1836-1860), a masterpiece of the English neo-Gothic style.
Striving for an organic connection between architecture and society, Pugin emphasized the “moral” value of Gothic and at the same time the merits of its constructive system.
Neo-Gothic in France
In France, the architect, theorist and restorer Eugene Viollet-le-Duc (restoration of Notre Dame in Paris in 1845, the cathedral in Reims, the Abbey of Saint-Denis) considered the Gothic style to be a model of constructive rationality, also important for the development of modern technology.
Viollet-le-Duc's widespread use of complementary or interpretive restoration, now considered unacceptable, underscored his desire to make the Gothic relevant to modern society.
In Italy, the strong position of the classical and Renaissance traditions made it almost impossible for the spread of the Neo-Gothic style, which is barely represented by a few examples.
Neo-Gothic in the USA
In the United States in the 19th century. the neo-Gothic revival was a manifestation of familiarity with European romanticism. Neo-Gothic (revivalism) was especially popular and influenced all American secular and religious architecture. Main representatives: R. Upjohn, J. Renwick, A. J. Downing.
Hello dear community and guests of the resource!
Have you ever wondered what the Victorian era owes its charm to? Of course, there are many factors here, and unbridled progress and new ways of studying the world and the emergence of philosophies that deny the morality of the church, against the backdrop of religious fanaticism and the first protests against the ingrained norms of behavior in society... and a lot of things. True, it seems to me that the Victorian era owes the lion's share of this charm to its architecture. So let's talk about......NEGOTHIC!
This amazing style is inextricably associated with the Victorian era, and it is not surprising, given that it was the British Empire of the 18th and 19th centuries that marked the beginning of the triumphant march of neo-Gothic around the world, as well as the fact that it was in the British Empire that this style was especially widespread. This happened in two stages: early British neo-Gothic and Victorian neo-Gothic. I won't carry out detailed analysis Victorian architecture, this is more of a review article, although I tried to look at the reason for the flourishing of such an unusual style. Let's start in order.
The emergence of the fully formed neo-Gothic style is associated with the name of the fourth Earl of Orford, Horace Walpole.
Horace Walpole. 
This English writer became the first author to publish a "Gothic" novel in 1764, the action of which takes place in the castle of Oranto during the era of the first crusade. The plot of this work, which became a bestseller, was inspired by the buildings of the Strawberry Hill estate, which he acquired in 1747 (some sources mention both 1746 and 1748). It was then that he decided to turn the estate into his own “medieval” castle, which, among other things, even had a knight’s hall.
Strawberry Hill. 
Now, strictly speaking, we cannot classify this castle as neo-Gothic, since part of it was built in the Rococo style, but it was Walpole’s idea that gave impetus to the development of the Neo-Gothic style. However, the writer himself admitted that he did not strive for a strict Gothic style, so as not to deprive himself of convenience; the estate had to satisfy his imagination and nothing more. It was from Strawberry Hill that the passion for Gothic decor of estates began. It has become a fashionable feature.
And the Duke of Argyll, for example, even involved William, the brother of the most fashionable architect at that time, the founder of the “Adam style” Robert Adam, in the construction of his “medieval” castle on the Scottish estate of Inveraray.
Inverary. 
One of the most striking examples of this kind of eccentricity was the construction of the impressive estate of Fonthill Abbey, the son of a wealthy English planter, William Beckford, who, after the death of his wife, decided to build a grandiose building reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral.
William Beckford. 
Fonthill Abbey. 
The splendor of this building can only be matched by its sad fate. Its architect was James Wyeth, who was not particularly familiar with the techniques for constructing such structures. Main feature became an octagonal tower, reaching ninety meters during its initial construction. Its first version was made of wood and cement. It collapsed a few months later, and Beckford sincerely regretted that he had not seen this grandiose spectacle with his own eyes. The second tower, from the same material, took six years to build, it also collapsed, but the third, stone version, which took seven years to build, finally collapsed in 1825, 12 years later, after the completion of the entire castle. In 1822, Beckford went bankrupt after losing his Jamaican plantations and sold the building to John Farquhar. Gradually, the remaining parts of the building collapsed and the castle was demolished, leaving only a small part of the northern wing.
Surviving northern wing. 
Less wealthy Englishmen used in construction only elements characteristic of Gothic, such as pointed arches, loopholes, etc.
The starting point for the next stage of the spread of neo-Gothic was the fire in 1834 of the Palace of Westminster, owned by the British Parliament.
The construction of the new building was entrusted to Augustus Pugin and Charles Barry. A competition was held and out of ninety-seven (!) contestants, the project that exists today was chosen. Ironically, Pugin, who had been fascinated by the Gothic architecture of Normandy since the age of fifteen and converted to Catholicism, was an active proponent of Roman Catholic Gothic architecture in England. He believed that all useful elements of the building should not be hidden, but decorated. Pugin expressed his views in his work “Apology for the Revival of Christian Architecture in England.” Barry, after the visit Ottoman Empire, at the age of 22, was impressed by Italian Renaissance architecture. It was this journey and the magnificent fortresses from the times of the first crusades that he saw that forced him to study architecture.
Augustus Pugin. 
Charles Barry. 
These two neo-Gothic enthusiasts left only the Westminster Auditorium (1097) and the Jewel Tower (for the treasury of Edward III) from the original medieval palace. The splendor they created became business card of the entire neo-Gothic style, is it a joke, the palace clock tower, Big Ben, is a symbol of the whole of Great Britain, although, strictly speaking, this name was originally given to the bell on the tower, and the palace itself was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 1987.
Palace of Westminster. 
Another striking work of Pugen is Nottingham Cathedral, dedicated to St. Barnabas.
Cathedral of St. Barnabas. 
And Charles Barry, among other works, was involved in the reconstruction of Trafalgar Square.
Trafalgar Square. 
And then, as they say, it started. Instead of the term “neo-Gothic”, the word “revival” was then used. The style has become native British; town halls, universities, schools and train stations are built in this style. The Royal Courts of Justice, the highest court in England and Wales, was built in the neo-Gothic style, designed by George Edmund Street.
Royal courtyard. 
St Pancras station building, named after the nearby St. Pancras Church. Pankratia. Erected in 1865-68 by architect Georg Gilbert Scott.
St Pancras. 
The same architect designed the Prince Albert Memorial, in London's Kensington Park, opened in 1875 by Queen Victoria in honor of her husband.
Memorial. 
St Stephen's College. 1876
Harris College of Manchester. 1889
Tower Bridge over the River Thames, near the Tower of London. Designed by Horace Jones, opened in 1894.
Tower Bridge. 
This style was adopted by other countries. Gothic architecture, first of all, affected the colonies, although it took root poorly in America. Antique and neo-Greek styles were very popular there. In the countries of German-speaking Europe, neo-Gothic underwent some changes associated with the intense competition of the neo-Renaissance and neo-Baroque styles. And to a greater extent, the revival of the Gothic style was perceived there as the completion of medieval long-term construction projects, such as the Cologne Cathedral.
Cologne Cathedral. 
However, the Bavarian king Ludwig II launched the construction of Neuschwanstein Castle in 1869, which became one of the symbols of the world neo-Gothic style.
Neuschwanstein. 
In the Romanesque countries they were mainly interested in the heritage of antiquity and the Renaissance. Neo-Gothic came to France rather late and took weak roots. The monumental majesty of neo-Gothic was alien to the frivolous French. But we must admit that Victor Hugo’s novel Notre-Dame de Paris (1830) made the French think about preserving the heritage of medieval architecture.
The greatest Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudí, who has many whimsical works to his credit, created perhaps the most monumental work of the Gothic Revival, the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia.
Antonio Gaudi. 
Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family. 
Due to a lack of funds, the Spanish government has not been able to complete it since 1882.
And yet, why exactly this style? Perhaps due to his passion for romantic stories medieval era in the works of writers of that time, a revival of interest in Spenser, Milton, Shakespeare, despised in the era of the dominance of classical forms; perhaps due to the growth of patriotic sentiments against the background of the power of the British Empire and, as a result, the rejection of the French style in architecture and the search for one’s own; perhaps “everything new is a well-forgotten old.” Or maybe all this taken together and a few more factors that I do not indicate here, but we cannot dispute the fact that we partly owe the splendor to such unusual and majestic architecture victorian era and as a result, steampunk culture. Of course, in the architecture of the bygone era there was also Gregorian style and neo-Renaissance and late colonial, but you must agree that when remembering the stories of Conan Doyle, Dickens and Wilde, the imagination pictures precisely neo-Gothic England, with pointed arches, towers, imaginary loopholes, Tower Bridge and Big Ben .
I hope you weren't bored! :-)
List of sources.
