Slide lecture on Gothic sculpture

1. Gothic Sculpture
Art 108: Ancient to Medieval
Westchester Community College
Fall 2013
Dr. Melissa Hall

2. While the interior of the Gothic Cathedral was increasingly dematerialized with the
heavenly light of god . . .

3. The Stone Bible
The exterior was covered with
hundreds of carved sculpture
Jean Fouquest, The Building of a Cathedral, 1465
Image source: http://cgfa.acropolisinc.com/fouquet/p-fouquet4.htm

4. Chartres Cathedral is an excellent
place to study the evolution of
Gothic sculpture
West façade: 1134 - Early Gothic
Nave and transepts: after 1194 - High Gothic

5. The west portal dates from 1134 -- the Early Gothic period

6. The north and south portals date from the High Gothic period

7. Gothic Humanism
Gothic sculpture evolved
towards greater
naturalism, similar to the
evolution of Geek
sculpture

8. Gothic Humanism
This trend towards
“naturalism” was a direct
result of the rediscovery of
classical learning at
Chartres University
Plato, Seneca, and Aristotle, from Devotional and Philosophical Writings, c. 1330
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plato_Seneca_Aristotle_medieval.jpg

9. Gothic Humanism
Aristotle taught that scientific
“observation” was a path to
knowledge of the world
The increasing “naturalism” of
Gothic sculpture can be attributed
to his influence

10. Gothic Humanism
Geometry is also feature of
Chartres Cathedral, reflecting the
belief that the universe is literally
“designed” by god
God as Architect of the World. Gothic Art. 1,200 CE

11. Building the Great Cathedrals – Science +
Religion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zaj35d3zE&feature=player_embedded

12. Chartres Cathedral,
west façade, 1134

13. The west portal is called the Royal Portal because
of its connections to the French monarchy

14. The jamb statues depict the kings and queens of
the old testament

15. Like the kings on the North Rose window, they proclaim the royal
ancestry of Christ

16. Yup, my family is
descended from
the Old
Testament kings
And they legitimize the French monarchy, who claimed to be
descended from the Old Testament kings and queens

17. The figures are called “jamb
statues” because they
decorate the door jambs of
the entrance

18. They are long and slender,
like the columns they are
attached to

19. Unrealistic proportions
Weightless
No body beneath the
drapery

20. But they have a
But quality
lifelikethe faces have
a lifelike quality
not seen since not
seen since
Greek and Greek
and Roman
Roman times times

21. They resemble Greek
Archaic statues -- and reflect
a reawakening interest in
representing the human form
naturally

22. Gothic Humanism
Some even have expressions
resembling the Archaic smile

23. Gothic Humanism
Some even have expressions
resembling the Archaic smile

24. The central tympanum
depicts the familiar
theme of the
Theophany

27. Humanism
Naturalism = scientific observation
Humanism = acceptance of human
knowledge of the world

28. The Romanesque tympanum
emphasized damnation and
the terrors of hell

29. The Gothic portal emphasizes Christ’s humanity and the promise of salvation

30. North portal
entrance

31. Jamb figures are even more animated and lifelike

33. The sculptures on the South portal were completed last

35. Gothic S-curve
St. Theodore is standing in the
gothic S-curve pose

36. Gothic S-curve
He is dressed in the costume of a
medieval knight

37. Gothic Humanism
Jesus, Mary, the Apostles and the
saints take on natural human
characteristics

38. Gothic Humanism
Emphasis on Christ’s humanity,
rather than his divinity

39. Central Tympanum, Chartres Cathedral, South Portal, trumeau
Emphasis on forgiveness and salvation, rather than damnation