Our Web Page is going to consist of examples of Late Gothic Architecture.
Included are: several catherdrals, works of art found in cathedrals, and
illustrations, as well as findings of a peasant village. Descriptions
and comments of each of these illustrations and images are included in
this Web Page.
Late Gothic French architecture is eventually replaced by glamorous
decorating. The early ideals of purity and structure in the desgin has
been taken over by elaborate carving and glimmering textures. The works
with these extravagant characteristics were made during the early sixteenth
century. The graphics below show good examples of the kind of work done during
this early time period. It includes multi-ribbed vaults and fine vertical moldings.
The choir screen has been intricately carved. Several different decorative
patterns have been included in the carvings. Complex curves are another
style used in late Gothic times.
Nave and Choir Screen
This graphic below represents the new stage in Gothic style. It was done
by one of the best architects of the Middle Ages. Tracery rods placed
approximately two feet in front of the facade gives it a high degree of
linear intricacy. Creating a sense of brightness along with a vertical
In the nave of Lorenzkirche Nuremberg the basic Gothic designs are very
apparent. The clerestory windows are considerably tiny. The wall
surfaces are still in tact. The triforium level is replaced by a huge plain
wall. A completely different style is portrayed through the choir which
was in fact added at a much later time than the rest.
Nave of Lorenzkirche Nuremberg
The Cologne Cathedrel represents the French high Gothic style during the
thirteenth century. It is approximately the same height as Amiens, although
the Cologne is more vertical proportionally and in fine detail. The choir
was considered finished in 1322, but the nave was not constructed until
the nineteenth century.
Nave of Cologne Cathedral
The Regensburg Cathedral was also built in French style. It shows
characteristic styles of the late thirteenth century. The columns have
become a mass of shafts without a defined center core which is typical
of the French style. The capitals don't hardly arrest the vertical activity
of the shafts. Some shafts are moving from floor to vault. The triforium
and clerestory has been set back and joined as one in design. These two
parts joined have given the elevation a two- instead of a three-story appearance.
The glass on all three levels in the choir gives off a rich sparkling
light toward the altar end of the church.
Nave of Regensburg Cathedral
There were some very unique works of art found in the Strasbourg Catherdral.
One of which was a figure, Synagogue. Synagogue was a dazzling young woman.
She was holdingthe tablets of the Old Law as well as a broken staff with a
dropping flag. The flag was a symbol of her defeat. She had blind-folded
eyes because she could not see truth. These type of statues were used
to present dogma to the illiterate worshipers. They were also used as
a theme, treated by medievel sculptors, of the rise of Christianity over
Judaism. The synagogue below is a replica of the original one.
Death of the Virgin was another interesting work of art found in the Strasbourg
Cathedral. This beautiful tympanum conveys a message of the Death of the
Virgin. It relates the story to us using a very simple and affecting
technique. Unlike earlier figures, these are more rounded and are not
attached to the wall. They are presented to look like they are standing
in a shallow stage space. They appear to also have attitudes and facial
expressions. The lyric scene is revealed by the rhythms of drapery rippling
through the entire field.
Death of the Virgin
The drawing below was one of the Sorrell charcoal drawings done in the
1970's. It centers on the St. Martin's church. Peasant houses can be seen
at the front of the village north of the church and along the western edge of
A typical peasant house of the 13th century was about 15 feet wide and possibly
twice the length; houses of the 14th century were about 20 feet wide and 80
feet in length. The longer houses had a barn attached for either the
purpose of animals or storage. The central room of the house was typically
all open. There was normally an open fire pit with a smokehole in the roof.
The room furthest from the barn was used for resting. Below outlined in stone
are the various peasant house foundation lines dating from the 12th to the 15th
centuries. The longest foundations-on the right and in the center-are 15th
century. The smaller ones-on the left and in the foreground are 14th century.
The 13th century house had wooden footings (no stone foundations) therefore,
leaving traces behind.
The walls of peasant houses were usually a mixture of mud and straw. The
other type of wall covering was called "cob." It was three parts chalk and
one part clay mixed with straw. The wall acted as a frame with small
vertical posts woven with smaller, flexible sticks. The mixture of
mud and straw was plastered on the woven frame, inside and out. Below
is a picture of a peasant house.
The objects found at Wharram Percy were used by peasants. By finding
these objects connections were made through people and their medieval
predecessors. There were no swords found or Viking coin hoards. What
was found in higher quantity were iron objects, stone and bone objects,
some copper objects, and some lead objects. Knives and coins have also
been found. Below are some of the findings.
Miscellaneous Small Finds Copper-Alloy Objects
Iron Objects Lead-Alloy Objects
Late Gothic Architecture consists of many different styles of art. The
cathedrals consist of French and German influences. Due to the findings
and layouts we can understand how a peasant village was occupied and what
took place in several of its buildings. For more information see the
Chronicles of France - http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/bnf/bnf029.jpg
Cologne Cathedral - http://www.tulane.edu/lester/text/Gothic/Late.Gothic/Late.Gothic6.html
Dagoberts Throne - http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/bnf/bnf005.jpg
Death of the Virgin - http://www.tulane.edu/lester/text/Gothic/Late.Gothic/Late.Gothic1.html
Facade - http://www.tulane.edu/lester/text/Gothic/Late.Gothic/Late.Gothic2.html
Finds - http://loki.Stockton.edu/~Ken/Wharram/finds.htm
Housesite - http://loki.Stockton.edu/~Ken/Wharram/site10.htm
Nave of Lorenzkirche Nuremberg - http://www.tulane.edu/lester/text/Gothic/Late.Gothic/Late.Gothic10.html
Medieval Village - http://loki.Stockton.edu/~Ken/Wharram/slide2.htm
Peasant House - http://loki.Stockton.edu/~Ken/Wharram/peasant.htm
Nave of Regensburg Cathedral - http://www.tulane.edu/lester/text/Gothic/Late.Gothic/Late.Gothic7.html
Synagogue - http://www.tulane.edu/lester/text/Gothic/Late.Gothic/Late.Gothic3.html