Chartres Cathedral, Royal Portal Statue Columns, c. 1150.
Explore the iconic Gothic cathedrals of France in this two-afternoon study course with leading art historian and medieval specialist Dr Jana Gajdošová.
From the Romanesque style and the birth of Gothic in Paris, this course traces the evolution and cultural impact of these architectural marvels. We examine their structural experimentation, triumphs and setbacks, technical advances and the symbolic significance which imbued these extraordinary buildings.
Includes two lectures, Q&A and a short break. Tickets £20
Lecture One: Romanesque Tradition and the Birth of Gothic: Cluny, Jumièges, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Denis
Lecture Two: Gothic Experimentation: Noyon, Laon, Soissons, Chartres
The birth of Gothic architecture in the 12th century marked a revolutionary departure from the Romanesque style. Inspired by a desire for thin-walled buildings with stone vaults, Gothic builders sought to create structures that emphasized verticality and light. This vision reached its zenith at Saint-Denis, where Abbot Suger oversaw a rebuilding initiative for the abbey church, widely regarded as the birth of Gothic architecture. After Saint-Denis, a succession of structures experimented with the language of Gothic, among them the cathedrals of Noyon, Laon, and Soissons. This evolutionary journey culminated in the design of Chartres Cathedral, which served as a paradigm for the majority of cathedrals constructed thereafter.
To book for Part Two of SHORT COURSE Gothic Cathedrals in France please click here.
Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.