Post 1: Aesthetics Exploration – Gothic Architecture Aesthetic

In my exploration of different aesthetics, I chose to focus on the Gothic Architecture aesthetic. I have always been drawn to this aesthetic from a young age, particularly to the attention to detail and the collection of little features that all fit together as one to make up one masterpiece. Last spring, I was able to visit Barcelona, Spain, where I got to see lots of amazing architecture. Admiring buildings like the Sagrada Familia and Catedral de Barcelona (prime examples of Gothic architecture) really grew my love of this aesthetic. I felt like I could stare at each building for hours, finding new details and features in every frame of reference. Gothic architecture is special in this way – a lot of the buildings look similar, but once one focuses on all the combined little details, each building becomes unique to its own.

Gothic Architecture originated in 12th-century France and was elaborated from Romanesque and Islamic styles, utilizing pointy arches, flying buttresses, and stained glass. The term originates from the term ‘Goths,’ which referred to Germanic tribes responsible for the sacking of Rome (where Gothic architecture began to evolve). Many of these buildings were designed to create a space that towered over worshippers and dazzled their senses. Toward the end of the 14th century, the style reached its peak scale and complexity, with taller, more ornate buildings featuring frescoes (painted ceilings and walls), sculptures, and altarpieces. By the 16th century, Gothic architecture fell out of favor, replaced by Renaissance styles inspired by Classical antiquity. However, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the style was revived, driven by the romanticized view of the medieval past known as the Gothic Revival Movement. New churches, city buildings, and universities in the 19th century and well into the 20th century were inspired by the Gothic styles of medieval times.

Although all Gothic buildings include their own unique features, artwork, materials, and settings, there are some characteristics that set Gothic styles apart from other architectural styles. First, the use of pointed arches, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, tall, thin interior columns, and spires and pinnacles all contributed to the shape and look of these buildings. Gothic buildings were typically wide-open inside, with artwork, sculptures, stained glass windows, and décor. The shell of the buildings typically features an emphasis on verticality while using complex shapes and architectural features to create a marvelous structure. Most Gothic structures were made of stone (limestone, sandstone, granite, and marble), with wood, glass, and metal used sparingly for support. The color of these materials is typically gray, brown, tan, and black – giving an ominous, mysterious, and dark vibe when viewed from the outside. Inside, however, is typically colorful and is associated with heightened emotions of joy and spirituality. In terms of setting, these buildings are in almost every setting – rural, city, and even suburban areas around the world. However, the aesthetic of Gothic buildings fits best in misty, foggy, twilight/dusk, autumn/winter settings, as these are darker, mysterious settings.