Gothic Art

by Victoria Charles, Klaus H. Carl

Gothic art finds its roots in the powerful architecture of the cathedrals of northern France. It is a medieval art movement that developed all across Europe for more than 200 years. Leaving Roman roundish forms behind, the architects started using flying buttress and pointed arches to open cathedrals to the daylight. Period of great economic and social changes, the gothic period also saw the development of a new iconography celebrating the Holy Mary, at the opposite to the fearful iconography of dark Roman times. Full of rich changes in all the different arts (architecture, sculpture, painting, etc.), gothic gave way to the Italian renaissance and international gothic.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

199 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

Victoria Charles received her PhD in history of art. She has published extensively on the subject and has regularly contributed to Art Information, an international guide to contemporary art.

Frequently writing articles for specialised journals and magazines, Victoria Charles recently contributed to a collective work, World History of Art.

Reviews

[Castles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book is a rather boring list of gothic cathedrals, but the second part was much more interesting, diving in the paintings and sculptures of the era, and how they mixed in Italy. I’m especially fascinated by the link between the gothic art and the beginning of the renaissance, which is shortly but nicely covered in this book.

[Scott Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has lovely gothic architectural buildings and the history of the gothic culture on how it all began. I give this book 5 stars.

[woarvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structure reflects the presented sentiment - the architectural aspect is the most clearly distinguishable. So the rundown of architectural design and motive really sets the tone for the rest of the book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many gorgeous cathedrals! And the art was very unique. A great and vast collection of architecture, paintings, and sculpture.

[Angela King · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a great description of Gothic Art and Architecture.

[Lisa Arrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource