Early Mediaeval Architecture - England
 |
In the light of the preceding explanations Gothic architecture may be defined as that system of structural design and decoration which grew up out of the effort to combine, in one harmonious and organic conception, the basilican plan with a complete and systematic construction of groined vaulting. Its development was controlled throughout by considerations of stability and structural propriety, but in the application of these considerations the artistic spirit was allowed full scope for its exercise. Refinement, good taste, and great fertility of imagination characterize the details and ornaments of Gothic structures.
While the Greeks, in harmonizing the requirements of utility and beauty in architecture, approached the problem from the æsthetic side, the Gothic architects did the same from the structural side. Their admirably reasoned structures express as perfectly the idea of vastness, mystery, and complexity as do the Greek temples that of simplicity and monumental repose.
The excellence of Gothic architecture lay not so much in its individual details as in its perfect adaptation to the purposes for which it was developed--its triumphs were achieved in the building of cathedrals and large churches. In the domain of civil and domestic architecture it produced nothing comparable with its ecclesiastical edifices, because it was the requirements of the cathedral and not of the palace, town-hall, or dwelling, that gave it its form and character.
PERIODS
The history of Gothic architecture is commonly divided into three periods, chiefly distinguished by the character of the window-tracery. It must, however, be admitted that this division, like all efforts to cut the history of architectural development into definite slices called periods, is a purely arbitrary process. The various recognizable phases even of tracery-design were not reached at the sarne time in different parts even of one country, nor (did the movement in this field of design coincide exactly with that in any other. It is, nevertheless, often convenient to group the works of the style into broadly indicated periods in which certain characteristics dominate; and the commonly recognized periods are therefore here given, with a summary of the characteristics of each.
EARLY POINTED PERIOD
[Early French; Early English or Lancet period in England; Early German, etc.] Simple ribbed vaults; general simplicity and vigor of design and detail; conventionalized foliage of small plants; plate-tracery, and narrow windows coupled under pointed arch with circular foiled openings in the window-head. (In France, 1160 to 1275.)
MIDDLE POINTED PFRIOD
[Rayonnant in France; Decorated or Geometric in England.] Vaults more perfect; in England multiple ribs and liernes; greater slenderness and loftiness of proportions; decoration much richer, less vigorous; more naturalistic carving of mature foliage; walls nearly suppressed, windows of great size, bar-tracery with slender moulded mullions and geometric combinations (circles and cusps) in window-heads, circular (rose) windows. (In France, 1275 to 1375.)
FLORID GOTHIC PERIOD
[Flamboyant in France; Perpendicular in England.] Vaults of varied and richly decorated design; fan-vaulting and pendants in England, vault-ribs curved into fanciful patterns in Germany and Spain; profuse and minute decoration and cleverness of technical execution substituted for dignity of design; highly realistic carving and sculpture, flowing or flamboyant tracery in France; perpendicular bars with horizontal transoms and four-centred arches in England: "branchtracery" in Germany. (In France, 1375 to 1525.)
|
