Gothic

Taschen Basic Genre

by Robert Suckale

Mysticism of the Middle Ages

The earliest Gothic art dates back to mid-12th century France, from which it spread throughout Western Europe through the 15th century. The Gothic style, which dominated the European aesthetic for four centuries, was prominent both in architecture, especially cathedrals and churches, and the arts—painting, sculpture, stained glass, illuminated manuscripts, and frescoes. Predominantly religious, Gothic art was dark and emotional, marked by intensity and logical formalism. The later Gothic period, known as the International Style, was a precursor to the Renaissance.

Artists featured: Giotto di Bondone, Duccio di Bouninsegna, Dieric Bouts, Robert Campin, Cimabue, Petrus Christus, Barthélemy d’Eyck, Jan van Eyck, Andrea da Firenze, Jean Fouquet, Nicolas Froment, Hugo van der Goes, Jaume Huguet, Stefan Lochner, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, Master Bertram, Master Franke, Master of the Glatz Madonna, Master of the Paradise Garden, Master of Saint Veronica, Master Theoderich, Master of the Wilton Diptychons, Master Wittingau, Hans Memling, Lorenzo Monaco, Lukas Moser, Michael Pacher, Martin Schongauer, Rogier van der Weyden, Konrad Witz

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the German edition. I would have preferred more art appreciation type text and less of the biographical info. I get it that is exciting for historians to try to patch something together about these people from the bits and pieces that have survived 500 years and the Reformation, but I was more interested in these striking images. Of course pervy Taschen Verlag puts the porniest one on the cover... but you still get the idea. Creepy faces, bold colors, triangular compositions. Many of the pictures have lots of wonderful details in the background. Sometimes jumbled perspectives add to the otherworldly feeling. Geographically, the book covers all of Europe from Prague to London, but with the corona virus raging as I read it, and the plague raging as they painted it, I found myself drawn more to the earlier Italian works in here, especially “republican” Sienna.