Gothic Art and Architecture

MeLisa King

Topic: Gothic Art and Architecture

Lesson Outline

Big Idea:

1.     Main architecture features of Cathedrals built.

2.     Basic Sculptural Ideas in European Gothic Period.

3.     Stain-Glass Windows.

Reading Selection:

            Reading: http://www.athenapub.com/14gothic-architecture.htm

            Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EciWH-1ya4

Interactive Attention Activity:

            Have the students draw or build what their dream home would be like, including any artwork or special items. Make the connection of how hard it is to design and construct such grand buildings like cathedrals. Move onto talking about the gothic period.

Information and Images:

1.     Overview of Gothic Period

a.     Timeframe – 12^th-16^th Century, in between the Romanesque and Renaissance Periods

b.     Why was the Gothic Period named the way it was? How did people react to the changes in architecture at first?

c.     Main Cathedrals Built in Gothic Period

                                               i.     Chartres Cathedral, France, 1145-1155, 1194-1250

                                              ii.     Salisbury Cathedral, England, 1220-1260

                                             iii.     Reims Cathedral, France, 1211-1311

                                            iv.     Notre Dame, France, 1163-1250

                                             v.     Basilica of Saint Denis, France, 1140-1144

                                            vi.     Westminster Abbey, England, 1503-1519

2.     Architecture Key Points

a.     Pinnacles

                                               i.     Chartres Cathedral

b.     Pointed Arches

                                               i.     Salisbury Cathedral

c.     Flying Buttresses

                                               i.     Notre Dame Cathedral

d.     Rib (Web) Vaulting

                                               i.     Reims Cathedral

                                              ii.     Westminster Abbey

3.     Sculptures

a.     Old Testament kings and queen, central doorway of Royal Portal, Chartres Cathedral

b.     Saint Theodore, Porch of the Martyrs, Chartres Cathedral

c.     Annunciation and Visitation, Reims Cathedral

d.     Virgin and Child, Notre Dame

e.     Virgin of Jeanne d’Evreux, Saint Denis

f.      Death of the Virgin, Strasbourg Cathedral

g.     Virgin with the Dead Christ, Rineland, Germany

4.     Stain-Glass Windows

                                               i.     Sainte Chapelle, France

b.     Rose Window

                                               i.     Saint Denis Cathedral

                                              ii.     Chartres Cathedral

Foundational Knowledge-based Questions:

1.     What are the key architectural features used in Cathedrals built during the European Gothic Period?

2.     Why were stain glass windows uses in the cathedrals? What was their purpose?

Discussion Questions:

1.     Why was the gothic period started do you think? Why change the structure of cathedrals?

2.     How do you think the people reacted?

3.     Why focus on the virgin in the sculptures?

4.     What is the purpose of the stain glass windows?

Artistic Prompt: Create your own stain glass design based on an important event or person in your life.

Resources:

            Gardner’s Art through the Ages, Fred S. Kleiner.

            http://www.athenapub.com/14gothic-architecture.htm

            http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgot/hd_mgot.htm

            http://arthistoryresources.net/ARTHgothic.html

https://autocww2.colorado.edu/~toldy3/E64ContentFiles/PeriodsAndStyles/Gothic.html

Online Teacher Powerpoints (Slideshare):

http://www.slideshare.net/jeelchristine/gothic-architecture-6045961

http://www.slideshare.net/larlarka/gothic

http://www.slideshare.net/bassmanb/gothic08post?src=related_normal&rel=5641110

http://www.slideshare.net/jharvey4

http://www.slideshare.net/ghaspert/gothic-art-presentation

MeLisa's Powerpoint:
http://www.slideshare.net/jericajw/gothic-europe