How was the Gothic art characterised
Characterised by tragedy and hope
Time of tragedy hundred year war between England and France
Black Death ( bubonic plague )
Church conflicts and societal questioning 
What was time of Hope like in the Gothic art period
Working people rise the common people began to gain power and influence in society
New idea ideas Flores fresh concepts and innovations emerged across various fields
Overseas exploration maritime discoveries led to the dawn of modern times
How to recognise Gothic architecture
The principal features are the pointed arch stained glass windows the flying buttress , the ribbed vault and compound pier
The pointed arch
Pointed arch over round bay was developed replacing earlier rounded arches
Allowed for stronger support lead leading to more space for windows and taller buildings
This design element became the foundation for all other Gothic innovations
Stained glasses
Transformed cathedral interiors with brilliant illumination and vibrant hues
Acted as a visual narratives for largely illiterate mediaeval populations
Featured sacred imagery that convey spiritual messages and biblical stories
Also known as lantern churches due to the luminous quality 
Ribbed vault and compound pier
Revolutionary approach using lighter materials between the ribs
Curved pieces of wood metal or stone forming structural frames
In filling materials between ribs reduced overall vault weight significantly
Ribs and compound piers provide support and take part of the building load 
What is a ribbed vault
Gothic vaulting demonstrates the perfect marriage of engineering innovation and aesthetic beauty creating spaces that seem to defy gravity
What is a compound pier
Feature of a nave arcade designed for the support of arches and to bring arch and pier into harmony these complex structural elements distribute to weight efficiently while creating visual unity 
Flying buttresses
The defining characteristic of Gothic cathedrals visible from great distances
Massive stone constructions that provide crucial wall support
Despite ribbed vault reducing weight roof loads remain considerable 
The outward thrust of walls from the weight was solved by adding a bridge like structure it forced the way back towards the columns and down to the buttress 
What was Gothic sculpture like
More rounded and 3-D sculptures gained depth and dimensionality
Postures and interactions figures begin to relate to each other naturally
Enhanced facial features individuals expressions and emotions emerged
Architectural independence sculpture stood out from building buildings starting to see a return to the classical arts
What were the two Gothic paintings
Number one Mural art which was in southern Europe
And then alter peace was in northern and central Europe 
What technique did the Gothic time use
They use fresco painting into wet plaster water acts an accelerant
What led to panel type painting
Lack of wall space Gothic architecture lift diminished wall space for traditional murals
Also provided additional space for artistic expression
Became an important medium for religious narratives 
Who were the two greatest painters
During pre renaissance- duccio di buoninsegna 1278-1319
Giotto di bondone 1267-1337
Why is duccio important 
Let the wave for a new approach to narrative painting bridging byzantine tradition with emerging naturalism
Why is Giotto Important 
Creative narratives involving the viewer as on Luca the viewer responds to human drama unfolding in his stories 
Byzantine art versus duccio art 
Mosaic artwork depicting Christ birth was sterilised symbolic forms and flat composition
Oil on wood showing naturalistic figures with emotional depth 
What are the similarities that they shared
Both work Centre on Christ as the divine protagonist of Christian narrative
Christ positioned prominently in the middle of each scene drawing the viewers attention
Halos around Christ head signify his holy nature and divine status 
Artistic evolution medium and form
Mosaics medium with tessellated stones
Depicts Christ birth story
Sterilise simplified geometric forms
Oil painting on wooden panel
Shows miraculous healing of blindness
Naturalistic treatment with volume and proportion 
Spatial and narrative approaches Byzantine
Shallow depth with flat backgrounds
Iconic representation over realism
Hierarchical scale Mary and angels largest
Spatial and narrative approaches proto renaissance innovation
Attempted depth through architectural scale
Story driven narrative composition
Emotional interaction between figures 
Viewer engagement from icon to story byzantine approach
Figures gazed directly at viewer creating spiritual connection but remaining isolated from each other
View engagement from icon to story renaissance innovation
Figures interact naturally creating visual narrative that draws viewers into the emotional story
This evolution marks Christianity autistic journey from the symbolic representation to human storytelling 
