A Miracle of Light
Sainte-Chapelle the Holy Chapel located in Paris, France and constructed to house the relics of Louis IX. The most notable relic being the Crown of Thorns. This beautiful chapel consecrated 1248 is a prime example of French gothic architecture. Sainte-Chapelle is located in the courtyard of the royal palace in now La Conciergerie but was once called Île de la Cité. This place of worship was a political and cultural hub. The location inside the courtyard of the royal palace, there is direct access from the chapel into the palace. This was very convenient for Louis. Contemporary style and design for the Sainte-Chapelle featured a grand staircase on one side and the eastern apse on the other. Most apparent is the overwhelming rose window that leaves the viewer in awe. The walls have large and bulging buttresses with signs of divided bar tracery. Exterior is sharp and precise, as gothic architecture would presume, the chapel sits very tall and built very vertical in its stature. A central theme would presume a spherical triangular shape from the front.
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So it is necessary and almost mandatory to elaborate on these windows. The windows are presumed to be fairly experimental in their design. It is known that damage was done to them during the French Revolution in 1789 but restoration was received nearing the 19th century. There are varying ways to identify the original stained glass from the restored by measuring degrees of complexity and from vibrational measurements. The main reasons for restoration process is actually because of atmospheric gas and pollutants that deteriorate and weather the glass. Although during the construction of the original glass the effects of aging were not in such consideration as current day, this is reason why new methods of protective glazing has been carried out to better conserve and protect what is a major piece of
Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church was inherent an Italian Renaissance Revival and Classical Revival architectural outline. The outside structures and attributes comprise of a dome and re-colored glass windows. Additionally, on the outside of the church, the building is made out of limestone. The passageway to the congregation is plentiful with embellishments, with four Corinthian columns for strength and stability. Surrounded curved openings are typified by pilasters. Amidst the towers on the parapet there are statues of a blessed messengers in angelic form, and the rooftop is made in copper. Within the congregation has the nave, which has barrels that are separated by an arcade of vast columns. Vaults are adorned with florentine styled reliefs. The congregation has a raised sacrificial table with mosaic half arches, statues, and minor models. There is a six foot tall altar of St. Jean, utilized for supplication and thought. The surfaces and roofs are enhanced with artistic creations in Florid style. The windows portray the Twelve Witnesses from the Old Confirmation. The Last Dinner and the workings of Jesus are depicted through these windows also. The sacrificial table underneath the vault is included white marble. The seats, choir slows down, and confession booths are planned in oak, and are molded particularly. Pictures of wheat stuns and grapes are plenty in the building
The Annunciation and Visitation, located at the Cathedral of Notre Dame at Reims, is a scene composed of stone statues located just northeast of Paris, France in the city of Reims. These statues are referred to as jamb statues and are defined by the fact that they are divine figures that are attached to the exterior of the cathedral and are mounted on doorways or sills (Valdes 2011). While the cathedral began construction in 1211 and was mostly completed roughly eighty years later, Annunciation and Visitation was constructed in approximately 1230 (Harris and Zucker 2018). The cathedral and sculptures alike are members of the High Gothic period of art which
The ultimate expression of French Gothic architecture with magnificent stained glass windows lies within the Sainte-Chapelle. Sainte-Chapelle is considered a perfect example of the Rayonnant style of Gothic architecture. Sainte-Chapelle is located within the Palais de Justice complex on the Ile de la Cité, in the center of Paris. King Louis IX commissioned Sainte-Chapelle between 1241-1248 to house his relics and Christ’s Crown of Thorns. Louis IX bought the Crown of Thorn for 135,000 Livres. For comparison, to build the entire Sainte-Chapelle cost 40,000 Livres. Now, Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most visited Catholic Church and considered one of the greatest sites of Gothic Art. The beauty of Sainte-Chapelle is broke down into a few major categories: exterior, lower, upper, and the stained glass windows. Over the centuries, the Chapelle suffered from a fire in 1630, 1776 and from the French Revolution, causing the Chapelle to go under restoration. Although some relics were never found again, some are kept in Notre-Dame Cathedral and the National Library.
Moutiers-Saint-Jean was founded by a hermit called John of Réôme in the fifth century in dedication to the Virgin Mary. “His sanctity drew others to him and enabled him to found a religious community dedicated to the Virgin. Such monasteries grew up in Burgundy and elsewhere from the cells of disciples clustered around the hermitage of a holy person.”1 It was the monasteries dedication to the Virgin that inspired the biblical scene on the arch of the doorway to be the Coronation of the Virgin. In the scene, Christ and Mary are enthroned in the Kingdom of Heaven. This scene was popular because rich imagery of the story was used “…in order to glorify the
Gargoyles also include other grotesque carvings associated with Gothic. It says that flying buttresses are stone arches that carry most of the weight of the roof, so the massive thick walls are not needed. Tall spires reached high in the sky to the heavens and over took the landscape. The cathedral Notre Dame de Paris began in 1163. It took artisans centuries to complete.
Each cathedral has aspects that are similar to one another. The cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens has several names such as Notre-Dame d’Amiens and Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens. Cathedral at Saint Denis also has more than one name including Basilica of Saint Denis and Basilique Saint Denis. Both of these cathedrals were built in France. These cathedrals were also used as burial grounds for past rulers. The architectural style of both Notre-Dame d’Amiens and Basilique Saint Denis was gothic. Due to these churches being of gothic style meant they used pointed arches and ribbed vaults
There are several miniatures in particular that are meant to evoke piety, for Anne, as well as that which she hoped her son would display, in time. Angels Displaying the Crown of Thorns (Fol. 30r) depicts two angels reverently holding a golden crown of thorns, referencing that worn by Christ. In Angels Displaying the Eucharist in a Monstrance (Fol. 11v), four angels carefully hold a monstrance, a device by which the Host of communion could be displayed for worship and respectful contemplation. These angels are in a similar setting and arrangement to those holding the crown of thorns, and both images share the same main purpose, as well: to have two extra sections of this prayer book inadvertently dedicated towards recalling the Passion of Christ. There are also some other possible implied purposes, though. The inclusion of the crown of thorns in one folio serves as a reminder of the fact that Anne had privileged access to Sainte-Chapelle, which she undoubtedly took advantage of, built by Louis IX following his obtainment of the Crown of Thorns, as a place in which to house it, along with other such articles. Her piety is thus re-emphasised through yet another display of devotion for her son to follow. In a similar manner, the monstrance, an object of great importance to the devout, would serve the same purpose. Yet, there is also the sense that Anne is showcasing the opulent objects at her disposal, for the crown of thorns was certainly not a replaceable, nor common,
Divinity of the Aesthetics of Geometry in the Gothic Era: Chartres Cathedral’s Rose Windows Churches and Cathedrals constructed during the Gothic era, are known to be extravagant works of architecture. One of the most identifiable characteristics of Gothic era architecture is the rose window. The use of circular stained glass rose window began to rise in popularity at the beginning of the 13th century and continued to during the Middle Ages.
Gothic architecture was the style that was invented in this era to identify or distinct themselves from the rest of the world. It was a form to show their French patriotism and a destination for pilgrim. Gothic architecture is remarkable for its pointed arches, column, and higher walls. Gothic architecture began with Abbot Suger’s undertaking of the construction of Saint-Denis in 1140. Then, it was used in the cathedral of Notre Dame, Chartres Cathedral, and Amiens cathedral. The differences between the later constructions and the previous one are the nave design and the height since people from the High Middle Ages believed that the height of the building represent their civil pride; therefore, the higher the building, the more pride they have, and the closer they can reach the god. One of the distinction of the Gothic style is the Gargoyles. Its function is to funnel rainwater off the roof. Gargoyles also signified the religious symbol of fleeing evils from the sacred precincts of the church. The decoration also served as the vocabulary during the sermons. Moreover, Gargoyles exemplified of collaboration of builders and theologians for the first time. Lastly, the stained glass window
Churches and Cathedrals constructed during the Gothic era, are known to be extravagant works of architecture. One of the most identifiable characteristics of architecture of the Gothic era is the Rose Window. These circular stained glass windows began to rise in popularity for cathedrals in the beginning of the 13th century, and continued to strive during the Middle Ages. The construction of Rose Windows was a detailed process, and contained various techniques using mathematics and geometry. These windows were produced to be lavished, multicolored stained glass windows, filled with motifs referencing scenes of the bible.
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims, northeast of Paris near Champagne was the coronation church of the kings of France and was an educational and cultural center. Also built of limestone, the architecture of the Reims Cathedral features Gothic style. It symbolizes an Early Gothic, Radiant Gothic and Flamboyant Gothic. The Reims Cathedral depicts a classic harmonic facade containing four levels. Its interior is defined by its towering heights and narrow proportions, and elaborate sculptural works. Because of the high quality of workmanship and materials used, Reims Cathedral features some of the most beautiful gothic art in existence. Five different cathedrals have been on the site on which Reims cathedral now sits since 401 CE. The current cathedral was built in 1211, after the previous cathedral had burned down. The new building was almost entirely finished by the end of the thirteenth century. 88 gargoyles were counted on the Reims Cathedral and are mainly used to drain off rainwater and are exceptional pieces of work, but do show the slight difference between Gothic and Romanesque styles. The stained glass windows are a beautiful part of Reims despite being damaged or ruined several times in the 18th century; the cathedral still has many 13th century stained glass windows, in the upper parts of the nave, choir and transept. On the opposite side of the great western portal, the Great Rose Window, dating from the end of the 13th century, represents “the Crowning
This mountainous structure is seen from about every point of Paris and beyond. From the front, you can see two towers jutting out of an ordinary street. The Cathedral also features large stained glass windows, that are one of the most beautiful features of the structures. From the side, you can see the long body of the Cathedral and the spire sticking out of the top. It is somewhat overwhelming being within feet of the structure, because of the immense height and width of the church. Looking at the back, one can clearly see the dome-like structures attaching to the organ room. From the outside, you can clearly see the sculptures depicting the scenes from the Catholic religion. The cathedral is gigantic, but it is easy to process all the sections because of the distinct styles of architecture. From an
The Notre Dame Cathedral is certainly one of the most beautiful locations in the world, as the city of Paris as a whole and the building's surroundings contribute to making visitors acknowledge the importance of this monument. Construction on the cathedral started in 1163 and was largely finished by 1250, with most of its features emphasizing Gothic influences. The building's architecture, the sculptures present in it, and the impressive stained glass all stand as reminders that the French community invested most of its cultural values into the church at the time when it was constructed.
The first picture shows a church that is full of paintings and sculptures, this is a photo of the Catholic Church. In the Catholic Church they worshiped relics and used many statues and other pieces of art. Along with the use of relics, the Catholic Church used the bible to teach and preach about God, whereas the protestant Church did not. The second picture is of a church that is mostly empty, this shows the protestant church, because they did not use relics and they focused on their relations with god.
With these great gothic style building appearing in Europe, there had to be architects behind the projects. Some of the most famous architects of the early gothic (1140-1194), high gothic (1194-1300), and late gothic (1300-1500) are, Jean D’Orbais, Jean Le Loup, Gaucher De Reims, Bernard De Soissons, and Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis. The patron, and client, for the first Gothic style building - Abbot Suger, wrote his views on the symbolism, at St. Denis, built between (1140-1144), but did not record the architect’s name. Jean D’Orbais' designed the first tracery rose window, and was a major milestone in church construction. Considering we don't