Capital of French Gothic. gothic france

Original taken from weisse_winter in France - the birthplace of Gothic architecture

The birth of the gothic

Gothic originated in Northern France in the middle of the XII century. and flourished in the first half of the thirteenth century. Its emergence was due to the formation of the city as an independent political and economic force and the new needs of urban life; The rapid development of French Gothic was facilitated by the national upsurge associated with the unification of the country that had begun.

The constructive basis of the cathedral is a frame of pillars (in the mature Gothic, taking the form of a beam of columns) and lancet arches resting on them. The structure of the building consists of rectangular cells (grass) bounded by 4 pillars and 4 arches, which, together with diagonally intersecting ribs (ribs), form the skeleton of a cross vault filled with lightweight formwork. The lateral thrust of the vault is transmitted by connecting oblique arches (flying buttresses) to powerful external pillars (buttresses). The walls freed from the load in the gaps between the pillars were cut through by arched windows.

The removal of structural elements to the outside, neutralizing the expansion of the vault, made it possible to create a feeling of lightness and spatial freedom of the interior, the rapid ascension of its verticals, moderated by inter-tier articulations. In turn, the exposed structures surrounding the cathedral from the south, east and north (and not visible either in the interior or from the facade) impress with a clear expression of the action of tectonic forces, the power of their rhythm. The double-towered western facades of French cathedrals with three deep "perspective" portals and a patterned round window ("rose") in the center combine aspiration upwards with clarity and balance of articulations.

On the facades endlessly vary lancet arches and architectural and plastic motifs - openwork pediments (wimpergi), turrets (vials), curls (crabbs), etc. Rows of statues on consoles in front of the columns of the portals and in the upper arched gallery, reliefs on the plinths and in the tympanums of the portals form an integral symbolic system , which includes characters and episodes of Scripture, allegorical images. The whole decor is rhythmically organized, strictly subordinated to architectural articulations. This is the reason for the tectonics and proportions of the statues, the solemnity of their postures, the restraint of their gestures.

The best statues on the facades of cathedrals (Reims, Amiens, Strasbourg, the portals of the transept in Chartres) are imbued with spiritualized beauty, sincerity and humanity of feeling. Other parts of the building were also decorated with reliefs, statues, floral ornaments, images of fantastic animals ("chimeras"); an abundance of secular motifs is characteristic (scenes of labor of artisans and peasants, grotesque and satirical images). The theme of the stained-glass windows is also varied, in the range of which red, blue and yellow tones predominated.

France. Gothic in France

From the end of the XII century. France becomes the center of European education. The University of Paris soon took one of the leading places in scientific life Europe. In the field of architecture and fine arts France also plays a major role. In the XIII century. There are 300 workshops in Paris. The main customer of works of art is no longer the church, but cities, merchants' guilds, guild corporations and the king. The main type of construction is, in turn, not a monastery church, but a city cathedral.

From the 14th century city ​​and monastery churches of the hall type (with equal height of the naves), castle and palace chapels acquired increasing importance. All of them are small, simple in plan, but along their vaults ("mesh", "honeycomb", "star-shaped", etc.) complex, sometimes curvilinear patterns of ribs creep. Characteristic of the late ("flaming") Gothic and whimsical, reminiscent of flames, the pattern of window frames (Saint-Maclou church in Rouen, 1434-70).

Pierre Robin, 1434-1470) is the standard of late, or "flaming Gothic". The western façade of the church is distinguished by carved doors by Jean Goujon depicting biblical scenes. Immediately behind the church of St. Maclou is one of the main attractions of Rouen - the cemetery of Saint-Maclou - a rare example of medieval burials of plague victims.

The French Basilica of Saint-Denis (Basilique Saint-Denis) is a real work of architectural art, the pearl of France among the cathedrals and the spiritual stronghold of the entire nation

The largest temple of the early Gothic period was Cathedral of Notre Dame- the five-aisled temple accommodated up to 9,000 people. In the design of Notre Dame Cathedral, the basic principles of Gothic are clearly traced: the ribbed lancet vault of the central nave, whose height is 35 m, lancet windows, flying buttresses. But from the ponderous Romanesque architecture there remained a massive expanse of walls, squat pillars of the central nave, the predominance of horizontal articulations, heavy towers, and restrained sculptural decoration.

Chartres Cathedral(1194-1260) is an example of the transition to mature Gothic and the connection of facades of different times. The "Royal portal" of the western facade belongs to the first half of the 12th century, at the beginning of the 13th century. the southern tower was completed, in the XIV century - the northern one, the interior is Gothic.

A brilliant example of mature French Gothic - Cathedral in Reims(1212-1311). In the guise of the Reims Cathedral, a tendency to verticalism of all lines is visible, which literally enhances the whole “forest” of pinnacles and wimpergs (even the “rose” on the facade has an ogival end). The entire western façade is completely decorated with sculpture, the stone has acquired an openwork, truly it resembles lace. Note, however, that unlike late Gothic, this "lace" does not hide the structure of the building.

Amiens Cathedral in the center of Picardy is one of the largest "classical" Gothic churches of the 13th century. The cathedral stands out for the integrity of its plan, the beauty of the three-tiered interior space and, in particular, the wonderful collection of sculptures on the main facade and in the south transept.

By the middle of the XIII century. the scope of construction in France is weakening. At the end of the XIII - beginning of the XIV centuries. the construction of cathedrals was in crisis: the architectural forms became drier, the decor became more abundant, the statues acquired the same accentuated curve and standard sweetness. At the same time, new diverse and non-universal artistic forms emerge; they reflected the growth of self-awareness of the burghers, who sought to create their own culture, and the aristocratization of the feudal nobility, the increasing sophistication of court life. Last thing wonderful creation Gothic in this period - the chapel of Louis IX (in the heart of Paris, on the island of Cité), "holy chapel (chapel)" Saint Chapelle(1243-1248). Its builder is Pierre de Montreau. The single-nave chapel has two tiers: on the lower floor there is the chapel of the Mother of God, on the upper storey there is a reliquary with the crown of thorns of Christ.

From the 14th century period begins late gothic, in France it lasts two centuries (XIV-XV centuries). The 15th century in Gothic architecture is also called flaming gothic. In late Gothic art, a new emotional structure of images is taking shape: mannered stylization and expression, exalted drama, addiction to scenes of suffering depicted with cruel naturalness. At the same time, secular paintings appeared (the palace of the popes in Avignon, XIV-XV centuries), a portrait ("John the Good", about 1360), and in miniatures of liturgical books and especially the books of hours of noble persons ("The Small Book of Hours of the Duke of Berry", about 1380-85) there is a desire for the spiritualized humanity of images, for the transfer of life observations, space and volume. The finest examples of French Gothic art include small ivory sculpture, silver reliquaries, Limoges champlevé enamel, tapestries and carved furniture. Late Gothic structures are overloaded with decor, intricate decorative carvings and intricate patterns of ribs (Cathedral in Rouen, XIV-XV centuries).

Of the Gothic monasteries, it is especially famous Abbey of Mont Saint Michel near the border of Normandy and Brittany, located on high rock like an impenetrable fortress.

Feudal castles at the end of the 13th century were built only with the permission of the king, in the XIV century. this generally becomes the privilege of the king and his entourage, luxuriously decorated palaces appear in the castle complexes. Castles are gradually turning into pleasure residences, into hunting chateaus.

But urban construction (town halls, workshop buildings, residential buildings) does not decrease. preserved a private house(XV century) is the mansion of the banker of King Charles VII Jacques Coeur in the city of Bourges.

Gothic - heyday monumental sculpture, in which the importance of statuary sculpture increases, although the figures are not free from the background of the wall. Increasingly, there is a staging of the figure according to the so-called "gothic curve"(S-prominent pose, from the Latin letter "S"): Medieval art gives its paraphrase to the Greek chiasm. In the relief, there is a craving for high relief - high relief. A certain canon of composition is developed, certain plots are intended for certain places in the building. So, scenes from the life of Christ are depicted in the altar part, on the south facade of the transept - the New Testament, on the north - the Old Testament, on the western facade there is always an image of the "Last Judgment" and the "end of the world". An example of early Gothic is the sculpture of the western facade of Notre Dame Cathedral (1210-1225); the history of Mary, "The Passion of the Christ", "The Last Judgment". The facades of the transept were already decorated in the High Gothic period.

IN Chartres Cathedral one can trace the evolution from early Gothic sculpture to the period of mature Gothic. Thus, the western facade is decorated with pillar-shaped, vertically elongated, static figures standing in strictly frontal poses. Gradually, the sculpture separates from the wall, acquires a rounded volume. But even with the constraint of poses, with the laconicism of forms, the expressiveness of plasticity, the restrained grandeur of the images, sometimes even appear individualization of the appearance (St. Jerome, St. George, St. Martin of the portal of the southern facade of the transept). In Chartres for many decades, not only different artels worked, but different generations of craftsmen.

From the second half of the XIII century. the plasticity of cathedrals becomes more dynamic, the figures become more mobile, the folds of clothing are transmitted in a complex play of chiaroscuro. Images are sometimes executed with genuine perfection, with delight in front of the beauty of a person. It is no accident, for example, blessing Christ on the western facade Amiens Cathedral called the beautiful God. In scenes such as the seasons and the signs of the zodiac, real-life observations increasingly make themselves felt (Amiens Cathedral).

The highest point of flowering of Gothic sculpture is the decor Reims Cathedral. Joseph from the scene "Bringing to the Temple" and the angel from the "Annunciation" resemble secular people, full of earthly joys. In the images of Mary and Elizabeth ("The Meeting of Mary with Elizabeth", 1225-1240), echoes of ancient art are clear. Late Gothic sculpture, as well as the architecture of that time, is characterized by fragmentation, fragmentation of forms (for example, the so-called "Gilded Madonna" of the Amiens Cathedral, around 1270), but it shows an undoubted interest in portraiture, which is generally not characteristic of French medieval art.

Light and lace of French Gothic. Rouen Cathedral (inside)

Many people took part in the construction of the cathedral: for example, in the 40s. In the 12th century, thousands of Norman pilgrims came to Chartres and for several months rolled in stone blocks in the walls of the cathedral, reaching two or three meters in length and one meter in height. The western façade is the only thing left of the previous building. Its creation dates back to 1170. The façade is adorned with three portals richly decorated with magnificent stone bas-reliefs, referring to XII century. From the north and from the south, on the facades of the building, one can see a huge round lace window, very characteristic of French Gothic, into the openings of which colored stained-glass windows are inserted in lead bindings. The transept windows are 13 meters in diameter. A similar window entered the history of art under the name "rose". It first appeared in Chartres Cathedral, allegedly commissioned by King Louis IX Saint and his wife Queen Blanca of Castile. On the stained-glass windows of the "rose" you can see the coats of arms of France and Castile, scenes from the earthly life of the Mother of God and scenes of the Last Judgment. The cathedral in Chartres is better illuminated than the Parisian one, thanks to the high windows of the nave, the openwork chapels of the vast five-nave choir and the light, bluish-lilac color of the stained-glass windows, it is distinguished by a cross-shaped space, restrained nobility of the interior, covered by four private vaults, organic structure. The "Royal Portal" (1145-1155) of Chartres Cathedral is a striking example of Gothic sculpture. The cathedral in Chartres was also famous for its stained-glass windows, which occupied an area of ​​more than two and a half thousand square meters. In 1194, the cathedral in Chartres almost completely burned down, only the “royal portal” and the foundations of the towers were preserved. The building was later rebuilt. The construction of the cathedral was considered a righteous deed, for which believers would be forgiven their sins, and salvation would be provided in heaven.

The cathedral in Angers, belonging to the Gothic structures, has retained all the features of the western regions of France. The author of the project did not thicken the walls.
He sought to balance the distribution of gravity by increasing the vertical load. The vault of the temple is strongly convex. Its powerful ribs are one of the decorations of the building, since the flat band passing between the two rollers is covered with carvings; between them, as it were, a garland of flowers is stretched. The cathedral has preserved stained-glass windows dating from different periods.

The characteristic features of the early Gothic were embodied in the main cathedral of the capital of France - Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame). The majestic Notre-Dame de Paris was founded in 11b3, but its construction continued for several centuries - until the 14th century. The Cathedral is a basilica one hundred and twenty-nine meters long, consisting of five longitudinal naves and one transverse - a transept .. This is a grandiose (length 130 m, height of vaults 32.5 At) a five-nave temple, divided in the middle of the length by a short transept and completed with a choir with a double bypass (1182), so that the whole plan fits into a rectangle. With six-part vaults and identical round pillars of the main arcade crowned with large capitals, the wall placed on them is still massive; it received large upper windows necessary to illuminate the nave of the Choir of the Cathedral, as well as the facade with its clear horizontal and vertical articulations, as if with difficulty cut into a dense wall with portals, a magnificent rose and monumental towers that seem to have grown out of the body of the structure - a perfect work of a completely established style.
Three entrance-portals lead to the temple, framed by arches extending into the depths; above them are niches with statues - the so-called "royal gallery", images of biblical kings and French kings, who were identified with the characters of the Old Testament. The center of the western facade is decorated with a rose window, and above the side portals, windows under lancet arches stretched upwards. On the towers of the cathedral there are sculptures of fantastic monsters - chimeras. Notre Dame de Paris combined features of the Romanesque and Gothic styles. The massive towers of the façade are characteristic of Romanesque architecture, while the cross vault supported by arches, the use of flying buttresses and buttresses, lancet arches and many windows are features characteristic of Gothic art. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris responded to the city's increased political importance
as the capital of the state and completed the first stage in the development of the Gothic style.

The architecture of the Reims Cathedral (1211-1331), with the severity of tectonic construction, is characterized by emphasized verticalism, the elongation of all elements and figures, an abundance of sculpture and decorative details, which, like lush growth, make their way up, crossing horizontal articulations. Even the lancet frames of the portals are so elevated that another rose cuts through the central tympanum. The entire outline of the facade is lightened, noticeably tapering upwards. The main facade of the Reims Cathedral differs significantly from the classical Facade. Portals protruding forward, a deep-lying rose framed by a high lancet arch and a high second floor create new type Gothic façade: vertical lines decisively predominate. The admirable capitals are located on the same level, thus not interrupting the alternation of vertical and horizontal lines. This impression of monotony is enhanced by the similar design of the side naves.

Conclusion

In the XIII-XV centuries. Gothic architecture spread throughout different countries Europe, acquiring certain features, gradually grew out of the Romanesque style, transforming it with almost imperceptible innovations. In the 13th century, the connection between the two kingdoms of Spain and France strengthened. French architects work in Spain. Traces of their activities can be traced in the cathedrals of Leon, Burgos and Toledo. Spanish architecture of the 13th century seems to be a branch of the French. Almost always hostile, but always close relations with England could not but affect the architecture of both kingdoms. For example, the French architect Guillaume of Sens built the Cathedral in Kentbury in 1175. Being closer than any other English temples to the French plan, the cathedral of Westminster Abbey has remained a monument of close relations between the kingdoms. Its choir is surrounded by a crown of chapels, the central nave is higher than was customary in
English temples. The influence of the English Gothic on the French, which fell on the 15th century, did not affect the main structure of the buildings, but mainly their "flaming decor" The remarkable Gothic architecture of the Czech Republic of the 14th century is also associated with
named after the French architect Mathieu of Arras, who began the construction of the Cathedral of St. Witt in Prague Castle.
Information has been preserved that in 1287 Etienne de Bonneil sailed with an assistant to Sweden to build a cathedral in Uppsala. H

Gothic, as an architectural style, is characteristic of a certain era throughout Western Europe, but the leading role in its creation, development and implementation belonged to France.

"Stone lace", "flaming", "barbaric" - all these are epithets that reflect appearance and the essence of gothic. If we talk about the style as such, then it originated in the middle of the XII century in the north modern France- in the province of Ile de France, capturing the territory of modern Belgium and Switzerland.

France at one time became the cradle of not just a new style. Gothic is a centuries-old epoch that determines the entire urban design of Europe. gothic building is not just an architectural unit, it is a work of art, a living organism, a frozen dynamics.

Historical background

With varying degrees of success, it spread throughout Europe. In the 13th century, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain and England fell under the influence of Gothic. Later, it came to Italy, where it was not so widespread, but still managed to adapt, becoming "Italian Gothic" after a significant transformation. At the end of the XIV century, Europe was captured by the so-called international Gothic, the crown of which was the late, or "flaming" Gothic. It penetrated the countries of Eastern Europe later and stayed there a little longer - until the 16th century.

The cathedral became the quintessence of Gothic art - it was a synthesis of architecture, sculpture and painting. Here everything tends to rise, each element emphasizes the vertical - arches with a pointed top, narrow and tall towers and columns, a façade with carved details and lancet windows with multi-coloured stained-glass windows. And if we take into account the fact that the cathedral was the center of life of almost any European city, towering and dominating over it, one will not be surprised at the ease with which the minds of Christian sovereigns accepted a new style. Moreover, Gothic was presented as a symbol of monarchical power and divine providence.

The main difference between the Gothic cathedral and the Romanesque predecessors is a stable frame system, in which the cross-rib lancet vaults, lancet arches, which largely determine the internal and external appearance of the building, play a constructive role. The structure of the building consists of rectangular cells (grass) bounded by 4 pillars and 4 arches, which, together with the rib arches, form the framework of the cross vault. The lateral thrust of the main nave is transmitted with the help of flying buttresses to the outer pillars - buttresses. The walls freed from the load in the gaps between the pillars are cut through by arched windows.

In Gothic cathedrals, an example of complex interaction, interpenetration of the internal space and the external natural environment is given. This is facilitated by huge window openings, through carvings of tower tents, a forest of buttresses topped with pinnacles. Carved stone decorations were also of great importance: cruciferous fleurons, stone thorns that grow like flowers and leaves on the branches. stone forest buttresses, flying buttresses and tower spiers. And don't let the lavish embellishment fool you - there is no concept of "overly decorative" in Gothic.

Following the cathedral, the city itself stretched upwards. On central squares they began to build town halls with rich decoration, often with a tower (town hall in Saint-Quentin, 1351-1509).

Castles turned into majestic palaces with rich interior decoration (the complex of the papal palace in Avignon), mansions-hotels of wealthy citizens were built.

We have plunged into theory enough - it's time to move on to practice. I propose to turn your eyes to the brightest monuments gothic architecture France, widely known in narrow circles.

Chapel Sainte-Chapelle

The lower chapel was intended for courtiers, palace guards and servants. At the top prayed the royal family, close associates. This is where the relics were kept. The nave of the upper chapel is famous for its completely preserved stained-glass windows, mostly from the 13th century, which have no analogues.

Abbey Church of Saint-Denis

Cathedral in Chartres

The central part of the façade retained the heavy Romanesque wall, into which three portals were cut; the rose window appeared later. The southern tower, the so-called "old bell tower" (1145-65) is closer to the main ideas of Gothic: the vertical buttresses are picked up by the powerful rise of the octagonal tent. After a fire in 1194, the building was rebuilt. The architects managed to give the vertical rods a feeling of free and spiritual rise. Notre Dame in Chartres is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe. Chartres is one of the few Gothic churches in France that has retained its glazing almost unchanged. This is the largest ensemble of stained-glass windows of the 12th-13th centuries that has come down to us.

The stained-glass windows, blind and almost colorless on the outside, revealed all their magic in the interior, when the sun's rays, penetrating through the colored glass, gave each color the greatest sonority.

The complexity of the development of the architectural theme is inherent in the western facade of the temple: individual motifs intertwine, contrast, and complement each other. It is permeated not only with vertical movement, but also resides in a complex and dynamic interaction with environment. Fantastically beautiful and high-quality pov blowjob from the first person performed by young beauties and mature mothers. Here is the best and high quality compilation of pov blowjob videos from the first person. Here you can regularly enjoy fresh portions of pov blowjobs.

As well as in Reims, the cathedral in Chartres served as an example for architects, but the model was noticeably modified. The cathedral in Amiens is the largest among the Gothic churches in France and one of the largest in Europe.

The width of its naves reaches 33 m, the transept is stretched for 59 m, the vaults of the central nave are raised to a height of 42.3 m.

Centuries later, in the era of the development of eclecticism, Gothic returned updated. Hence the name - Neo-Gothic. Representatives European countries in the 19th century they challenged each other for the right to be called an ancestor. But historical justice happened like this - neo-Gothic arose in England in the 40s of the 18th century. In Russia, it was called pseudo-Gothic, since the Gothic in the territory Ancient Rus' didn't exist at all. The demand for a new variation of the style was extremely insignificant - it was in demand only during the construction of churches of the Catholic community.

In Saratov, the most prominent representative of the Neo-Gothic is the building of the Saratov State Conservatory named after. L.V.Sobinova.

It was erected in 1902 by the architect Alexander Yulievich Yagn and pleases the eyes of residents and guests of the city to this day.

The birth of the gothic

Gothic originated in Northern France in the middle 12th century. And flourished in the first half of the thirteenth century. Its emergence was due to the formation of the city as an independent political and economic force and the new needs of urban life; The rapid development of French Gothic was facilitated by the national upsurge associated with the unification of the country that had begun.

Stone Gothic cathedrals became symbols of the centralized kingdom and the independence of growing cities, which received their classical form in France. The interior is unusually high and spacious, illuminated by the colored light of stained-glass windows: rows of slender pillars, a powerful rise of pointed lancet arches, an accelerated rhythm of the arches of the upper gallery (triforium) give rise to a feeling of unstoppable movement up and forward, towards the altar; the contrast of the high light main nave with the semi-dark side naves creates a picturesque richness of aspects, a feeling of the infinity of space.

The constructive basis of the cathedral is a frame of pillars (in the mature Gothic, taking the form of a beam of columns) and lancet arches resting on them. The structure of the building consists of rectangular cells (grass) bounded by 4 pillars and 4 arches, which, together with diagonally intersecting ribs (ribs), form the skeleton of a cross vault filled with lightweight formwork. The lateral thrust of the vault is transmitted by connecting oblique arches (flying buttresses) to powerful external pillars (buttresses). The walls freed from the load in the gaps between the pillars were cut through by arched windows.

The removal of structural elements to the outside, neutralizing the expansion of the vault, made it possible to create a feeling of lightness and spatial freedom of the interior, the rapid ascension of its verticals, moderated by inter-tier articulations. In turn, the exposed structures surrounding the cathedral from the south, east and north (and not visible either in the interior or from the facade) impress with a clear expression of the action of tectonic forces, the power of their rhythm. The double-towered western facades of French cathedrals with three deep "perspective" portals and a patterned round window ("rose") in the center combine aspiration upwards with clarity and balance of articulations.

Lancet arches and architectural and plastic motifs endlessly vary on the facades - openwork pediments (wimpergi), turrets (phials), curls (crabbs), etc. Rows of statues on consoles in front of the portal columns and in the upper arched gallery, reliefs on the tympanums of the portals form an integral symbolic system, which includes characters and episodes of the Holy Scriptures, allegorical images. The whole decor is rhythmically organized, strictly subordinated to architectural articulations. This is the reason for the tectonics and proportions of the statues, the solemnity of their postures, the restraint of their gestures.

The best statues on the facades of cathedrals (Reims, Amiens, Strasbourg, the portals of the transept in Chartres) are imbued with spiritualized beauty, sincerity and humanity of feeling. Other parts of the building were also decorated with reliefs, statues, floral ornaments, images of fantastic animals ("chimeras"); an abundance of secular motifs is characteristic (scenes of labor of artisans and peasants, grotesque and satirical images). The theme of the stained-glass windows is also varied, in the range of which red, blue and yellow tones predominated.

France. Gothic in France

From the end of the XII century. France becomes the center of European education. The University of Paris soon occupied one of the leading places in the scientific life of Europe. In the field of architecture and fine arts, France also plays a major role. In the XIII century. There are 300 workshops in Paris. The main customer of works of art is no longer the church, but cities, merchants' guilds, guild corporations and the king. The main type of construction is, in turn, not a monastery church, but a city cathedral.

From the 14th century city ​​and monastery churches of the hall type (with equal height of the naves), castle and palace chapels acquired increasing importance. All of them are small, simple in plan, but along their vaults ("mesh", "honeycomb", "star-shaped", etc.) complex, sometimes curvilinear patterns of ribs creep. Characteristic of the late ("flaming") Gothic and whimsical, reminiscent of flames, the pattern of window frames (Saint-Maclou church in Rouen, 1434-70).

Pierre Robin, 1434-1470) is the standard of late, or "flaming Gothic". The western façade of the church is distinguished by carved doors by Jean Goujon depicting biblical scenes. Immediately behind the church of St. Maclou is one of the main attractions of Rouen - the cemetery of Saint-Maclou - a rare example of medieval burials of plague victims.

The French Basilica of Saint-Denis (Basilique Saint-Denis) is a real work of architectural art, the pearl of France among the cathedrals and the spiritual stronghold of the entire nation

The largest temple of the early Gothic period was Cathedral of Notre Dame- the five-aisled temple accommodated up to 9,000 people. In the design of Notre Dame Cathedral, the basic principles of Gothic are clearly traced: the ribbed lancet vault of the central nave, whose height is 35 m, lancet windows, flying buttresses. But from the ponderous Romanesque architecture there remained a massive expanse of walls, squat pillars of the central nave, the predominance of horizontal articulations, heavy towers, and restrained sculptural decoration.

Chartres Cathedral(1194-1260) is an example of the transition to mature Gothic and the connection of facades of different times. The "Royal portal" of the western facade belongs to the first half of the 12th century, at the beginning of the 13th century. the southern tower was completed, in the XIV century - the northern one, the interior is Gothic.

A brilliant example of mature French Gothic - Cathedral in Reims(1212-1311). In the guise of the Reims Cathedral, a tendency to verticalism of all lines is visible, which literally enhances the whole “forest” of pinnacles and wimpergs (even the “rose” on the facade has an ogival end). The entire western façade is completely decorated with sculpture, the stone has acquired an openwork, truly it resembles lace. Note, however, that unlike late Gothic, this "lace" does not hide the structure of the building.

Amiens Cathedral in the center of Picardy is one of the largest "classical" Gothic churches of the 13th century. The cathedral stands out for the integrity of its plan, the beauty of the three-tiered interior space and, in particular, the wonderful collection of sculptures on the main facade and in the south transept.

By the middle of the XIII century. the scope of construction in France is weakening. At the end of the XIII - beginning of the XIV centuries. the construction of cathedrals was in crisis: the architectural forms became drier, the decor became more abundant, the statues acquired the same accentuated curve and standard sweetness. At the same time, new diverse and non-universal artistic forms emerge; they reflected the growth of self-awareness of the burghers, who sought to create their own culture, and the aristocratization of the feudal nobility, the increasing sophistication of court life. The last remarkable creation of Gothic in this period is the chapel of Louis IX (in the heart of Paris, on the island of Cité), "the holy chapel (chapel)" Saint Chapelle(1243-1248). Its builder is Pierre de Montreau. The single-nave chapel has two tiers: on the lower floor there is the chapel of the Mother of God, on the upper storey there is a reliquary with the crown of thorns of Christ.

From the 14th century period begins late gothic, in France it lasts two centuries (XIV-XV centuries). The 15th century in Gothic architecture is also called flaming gothic. In late Gothic art, a new emotional structure of images is taking shape: mannered stylization and expression, exalted drama, addiction to scenes of suffering depicted with cruel naturalness. At the same time, secular paintings appeared (the palace of the popes in Avignon, XIV-XV centuries), a portrait ("John the Good", about 1360), and in miniatures of liturgical books and especially the books of hours of noble persons ("The Small Book of Hours of the Duke of Berry", about 1380-85) there is a desire for the spiritualized humanity of images, for the transfer of life observations, space and volume. The finest examples of French Gothic art include small ivory sculpture, silver reliquaries, Limoges champlevé enamel, tapestries and carved furniture. Late Gothic structures are overloaded with decor, intricate decorative carvings and intricate patterns of ribs (Cathedral in Rouen, XIV-XV centuries).

Of the Gothic monasteries, it is especially famous Abbey of Mont Saint Michel near the border of Normandy and Brittany, located on a high cliff like an impregnable fortress.

Feudal castles at the end of the 13th century were built only with the permission of the king, in the XIV century. this generally becomes the privilege of the king and his entourage, luxuriously decorated palaces appear in the castle complexes. Castles are gradually turning into pleasure residences, into hunting chateaus.

But urban construction (town halls, workshop buildings, residential buildings) does not decrease. A private house (XV century) has been preserved - this is the mansion of the banker of King Charles VII Jacques Coeur in the city of Bourges.

Gothic is the heyday of monumental sculpture, in which the importance of statuary plasticity increases, although the figures are not free from the background of the wall. Increasingly, there is a staging of the figure according to the so-called "gothic curve"(S-prominent pose, from the Latin letter "S"): Medieval art gives its paraphrase to the Greek chiasm. In the relief, there is a craving for high relief - high relief. A certain canon of composition is developed, certain plots are intended for certain places in the building. So, scenes from the life of Christ are depicted in the altar part, on the south facade of the transept - the New Testament, on the north - the Old Testament, on the western facade there is always an image of the "Last Judgment" and the "end of the world". An example of early Gothic is the sculpture of the western facade of Notre Dame Cathedral (1210-1225); the history of Mary, "The Passion of the Christ", "The Last Judgment". The facades of the transept were already decorated in the High Gothic period.

IN Chartres Cathedral one can trace the evolution from early Gothic sculpture to the period of mature Gothic. Thus, the western facade is decorated with pillar-shaped, vertically elongated, static figures standing in strictly frontal poses. Gradually, the sculpture separates from the wall, acquires a rounded volume. But even with the constraint of poses, with the laconicism of forms, the expressiveness of plasticity, the restrained grandeur of the images, sometimes even appear individualization of the appearance (St. Jerome, St. George, St. Martin of the portal of the southern facade of the transept). In Chartres for many decades, not only different artels worked, but different generations of craftsmen.

From the second half of the XIII century. the plasticity of cathedrals becomes more dynamic, the figures become more mobile, the folds of clothing are transmitted in a complex play of chiaroscuro. Images are sometimes executed with genuine perfection, with delight in front of the beauty of a person. It is no accident, for example, blessing Christ on the western facade Amiens Cathedral called the beautiful God. In scenes such as the seasons and the signs of the zodiac, real-life observations increasingly make themselves felt (Amiens Cathedral).

The highest point of flowering of Gothic sculpture is the decor Reims Cathedral. Joseph from the scene "Bringing to the Temple" and the angel from the "Annunciation" resemble secular people, full of earthly joys. In the images of Mary and Elizabeth ("The Meeting of Mary with Elizabeth", 1225-1240), echoes of ancient art are clear. Late Gothic sculpture, as well as the architecture of that time, is characterized by fragmentation, fragmentation of forms (for example, the so-called "Gilded Madonna" of the Amiens Cathedral, around 1270), but it shows an undoubted interest in portraiture, which is generally not characteristic of French medieval art.

Light and lace of French Gothic. Rouen Cathedral (inside)

Gothic architecture in France is an architectural style that was widespread in the territory of modern France from the 40s of the XII century until the beginning of the XVI century, when it was replaced by the Renaissance. Originating in the center of the country, the Gothic style quickly spread throughout France and beyond. The skill of architects reached its peak in the middle of the 13th century, after which development proceeded through the use of applied crafts, in particular, stone processing.

CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME OF PARIS - NOTRE DAME de PARIS.

CHARTRES CATHEDRAL

AMIENS CATHEDRAL.

ROUEN CATHEDRAL

And finally, the well-known Rheims Cathedral

Reims Cathedral or Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous examples of Gothic art in France due to its architecture and sculptural compositions. This is a classic example of High Gothic architecture at its peak.