Gothic was born in Northern France in the second half of the 12th century and from there spread throughout Europe. The Gothic style affected all artistic production, especially architecture. The official date of the beginning of the Gothic style is 1144, when the choir of the Abbey of Saint Denis in Paris was built.
Gothic architecture
Gothic was manifested above all in the architectural field, which presents a mass of walls typical of the Romanesque period and a series of structures placed outside the building that give life to walls of light and glass, characteristic elements of Gothic architecture. Gothic architecture can be divided into:
- Proto-Gothic phase
- Classic Gothic
- Radiant Gothic
- Late Gothic
The buildings constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries are characterised by a very high central nave with other lower naves on the sides.
Gothic: styles
Gothic art manifests itself in different styles:
- Cistercian Gothic: linked to the Romanesque style
- Franciscan Gothic: characterized by large churches with a single nave
- Sienese Gothic: linked to French Gothic, characterised by a precious style and decorations.
- Florentine Gothic: simple, the building presents itself with a vertical thrust.
- Catalan Gothic: typically Spanish, characterised by large round arches highlighted by thick frames.
- Lombard Gothic: characterized by the use of brick and terracotta decorations.
- Venetian Late Gothic: rich in openwork decorations, sculpted foliage and a wealth of statues.
