Saint-Denis

Early Gothic/"First Gothic"

Abbot Suger 

1136-1140

Saint-Denis Facade

Early Gothic/"First Gothic"

Abbot Suger

1140-1144

Saint-Martin Des Champs

~1135

Possible precursor to Saint-Denis? Challenges the theory that Saint-Denis is the pregenator of "Gothic."

Tree of Jesse Window

Saint-Denis

Abbot Suger

1140-1144

Links the lineage of Old Testament Kings to Jesus, and onto the French Monarchy; note the conflation of Royal and Biblical iconography

Eagle Vase

Saint-Denis

Abbot Suger

~1147

An example of the renovatio-innovatio paradigm at work. The stone basin is made of Antique purple porphyry and the gold work is a Gothic-contemporary addition. 

Chalice

Saint-Denis

Abbot Suger

~1137-1140

Sardonix cup from Alexandria; Renovatio-Innovatio; Suger's apologia?

Notre-Dame de Senlis

Early Gothic/"First Gothic"

~1150-1170

Renovations took place immediately after the consecration of Saint-Denis. Seems to be an imitation of Suger's church--used as a possible model for Saint-Denis recreation. First instance of the "spreading" of Gothic.

Cathedral of St. Etienne

Sens, France

First Gothic

~1142-1168

Continuing the spread of early gothic from sites like Saint-Denis and Senlis

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury, England

First Gothic phase: ~1174-1184

Windows: ~1220

Built upon the remains of the Romanesqe church. Note the odd addition of the apsidial chapels; Cult of Becket and Pilgrimage; English emphasis on decoration over height

Methusaleh Window

Canterbury Cathedral

~1220

Oldest living man from the Old Testament; links Adam to Noah--emphasis on divine lineage

Parable of the Sower

Canterbury Cathedral

~1220

Located in the Upper Choir

Miracles of St Becket Window

Canterbury Cathedral

~1220

Resident Saint and Martyr of Canterbury Cathderal' Becket was assassinated and his cult became the primary draw for pilgrims *economic incentives out the ass*

Three Kings Shrine

Nicholas of Verdun

Cologne Cathedral

~1191

Extremely sophistcated articulation of microarchiecture in goldwork

Klosterneuberg Altarpiece

Nicholas of Verdun

~1181

The significance of this escapes me

Tree of Jesse

Ingeborg Psalter

~1200

Entombment & Three Marys

Ingeborg Psalter

~1200

Reliquary Chasse of St. Thomas Becket

~1220-1230

Chartres Cathedral "Royal Portals"

South: Virgin and Child as Sedes Sapientiae

Central: Chirst in Majesty

North: Ascension (?) of Christ

First Gothic

~1145

La Belle Verriere Window

Chartres Cathedral

~1150

Triumph of the Virgin Window

Notre-Dame de Senlis

First Gothic ~1170

Coronation of the Virgin

Chartres Cathedral

Central Portal, North Transept

1205-1210

Notre-Dame de Paris

Maurice de Sully

Begun ~1160

Facade ~1200-1225

Second Gothic

Notre-Dame de Paris, Elevation

Maruice de Sully

Begun ~1160

Facade ~1200-1225

Second Gothic

Notre Dame de Laon

~1160-1200

Second Gothic

Notre-Dame de Laon, Elevation

~1160-1200

Second Gothic