Gothic

Timeline: 1140 - 1500

The Gothic style was the bridge between the Romanesque period and the Renaissance. Religious expression was the center of Gothic design.Cathedrals from this time are oftentimes known as one of the high points in the history of architecture.

Architecture
Three key features of Gothic architecture include: pointed arch, ribbed vault, and flying buttress. The pointed arch was important because it allowed width to be manipulated more freely. Ribbed vaults were the basis of the Gothic system to oftentimes have an umbrella like underside of a roof. Flying buttresses allowed for walls to be less load-bearing and for the development of an all-glass or nearly all-glass walls. The interiors of the Cathedrals from this time focused on height and light. There was also a focus on the lateral facades of the nave. The sanctuary of Gothic cathedrals are highlighted because of the light that reaches the apse unobstructed. But despite all the attention to glass and light, many cathedrals are quite dark. Much of the light had a delicate quality to it. 

Domestic Interiors
There are very few domestic structures from the Gothic period, so paintings are important source of knowledge while learning about the domestic world (much like the Greek Vase). It was common of this time period to try to make the masonry buildings they lived in more comfortable. Hanging tapestries and constructing paneling were a couple ways of achieving this. Windows almost always had heavy bars lining them. This was to not only light in air and light, but also prevented outsiders from getting in. The defensive nature of the houses aligned with the heavy fortification of the cities. Carpentry and textiles were also very important to a Gothic interior. The linenfold motif is an infallible way to distinguish the Gothic period. 

Furniture
Pieces of furniture at this time were either very straightforward or extremely elaborate. Gothic chairs were rare; most sat on benches, chests, or stools. Their simplicity was a testament to their utility. The Gothic chairs that you would see would be very grand. Because of their religious importance, they were exaggerated in scale. There was an emphasis on height and included elaborate Gothic decoration. The most obvious observation from this time is that Gothic furniture has a remarkable continuity with Gothic architecture. Oftentimes, pieces of furniture such as choirs, buffets, and display cabinets were designed like miniature Gothic buildings. 

Modern Examples
The modern examples of Gothic design below show some of the key features from this period. The pointed arches and ribbed ceilings are evident in the designs. 

Helpful Videos
Gothic Architecture (Brief) | http://youtu.be/t8g1e-JLrhM
Gothic Architecture (More-Detailed) | http://youtu.be/uYhOaQhV6QE

Peer Reviews
Stephanie | I loved the modern pictures of the Gothic style that Stephanie posted. I could definitely see the features that categorize them into this style from her summary of the Gothic style. 
Alecia | It was interesting to read how Alecia compared and contrasted Romanesque and Gothic design. Since Gothic design bridged off of Romanesque, it was cool to see what features were similar and how Gothic made them its own.