Question

Examine characteristics of Gothic churches: how the builders got more light in; the symbolic meanings of colors; what the construction problem was, and what the solution. (Long Answer Question)

Answer 1

Characteristic of Gothic churches

• Developed in between 13 and 15 century
• Important – cathedrals, but castles, monastery etc were also built]
• Important feature – pointed arch, ribbed vault, imposing fireplaces, emulated candle lighting etc.
• Massive furniture especially of oak is the gothic furniture

The builders got more light due to the following reasons:

• Larger windows are there which allows more light due to the following elements:
  • Slender columns
  • Lighter systems of thrust
• Walls are being replaced by means of stained windows (stained glass) to allow more light

The symbolic meanings of colors are as follows:

• Rich and dark colors were used
• Red
  • Common in gothic
  • Red is representative of fire and blood
  • Red has exciting as well as simulating hue effect
  • Red can create positive as well as negative effect
• Black
  • Common in gothic
  • Symbolize power, elegance, formality, death, evil, mystery
  • Aggressive effect
  • Negative effect
• Blue
  • Symbolize trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, faith, truth, heaven
  • Dark blue symbolize knowledge, power, serious, integrity
  • Representative of making people depressed
  • Night and dark sky effect
  • Negative effect
• Purple
  • Symbolize inspiration, creativity, sacred, unique
  • Dark purple symbolize loyalty, prestige, majesty, noble, spirituality, wisdom, magic, luxury, enlightenment
• Green
  • Symbolize refreshment, growth, harmony, fertility, stability, endurance, healing power
  • Dark green symbolize ambition, greed, jealousy
• Gold
  • Symbolize honor, loyalty
• Pink
  • Symbolize romance, love, friendship
• White
  • Symbolize new beginning

The construction problem is as follows:

• Sheer size of masonry
• Volume of masonry
• Requirement of elaborate scaffolds
• Bad weather increase difficulty with respect to scaffolds
• Large stained glass window, buttress and ribbed vault further increased difficulty
• High cost of stones with respect to quarrying and transportation
• Aesthetic conflict with respect to rib-vault (apse and semi-cylinder form).

The solutions suggested to construction problem are as follows:

• Development of functional and aesthetic pleasing roof supports
• Development of thin supports as encouraged from French style
  • Ribbed vault then became dynamic quality
• Greater distinction to cross arch supporting shaft
• Aesthetic conflict with respect to rib-vault can be solved by polygonal apse (simultaneous view of multiple image possible)