Gothic Art: Painting and Sculpture in the 13th-15th Centuries
Gothic Painting: 13th-15th Centuries
In Gothic cathedrals, the disappearance of walls, replaced by large windows, reduced the space for murals. Consequently, Gothic painting primarily occurred on wood, forming altarpieces found in temples and cathedrals. Fresco painting was less common, with tempera being the preferred technique. Tempera, which uses egg as a binder, allowed for finer details. While secular subjects emerged, religious themes remained prominent and evolved to show greater realism and naturalness. Initially, gold backgrounds were used to convey spirituality, but later, landscapes were incorporated for added realism.
Key Developments in Gothic Painting
- 13th Century: Italy emerged as a leading artistic power, renowned for its stained glass.
- 14th Century: Italy reached its artistic peak. Paintings gradually abandoned gold backgrounds in pursuit of the third dimension. Notable schools included the Florentine school, with Giotto (Proto-Renaissance) known for his naturalistic figures, and the Sienese school, with Simeon.
- 15th Century: The Flemish School emerged, characterized by the use of altarpieces, a focus on religious themes, and detailed landscapes. Oil painting allowed for a wider range of colors and intricate details. John and Humberto van Eyck, creators of the Ghent Altarpiece, were pioneers of this school. Rogier van der Weyden was another prominent artist, known for his stylized drapery in works like The Crucifixion and The Descent from the Cross. Hieronymus Bosch created unique and imaginative works, such as The Garden of Earthly Delights.
In Spain, Gothic art was most prominent in Castile. Jorge Ingles‘s Altarpiece of the Virgin and Angels reflects the influence of van der Weyden.
Gothic Sculpture: 13th-15th Centuries
Characteristics of Gothic Sculpture
- Sculptures exhibited naturalism, with realistic attitudes and gestures. Art became more humanized, though it retained a degree of idealization.
- Religious themes, particularly from the New Testament, predominated in relief sculptures.
- Depictions of the Virgin Mary as an intermediary and Christ on the cross conveyed intense pain and expressiveness.
- Apart from the altarpiece and the tomb, there were no round sculptures, and choir stalls were not common. Relief sculpture predominated.
- Cathedral facades were adorned with triptychs, and interiors featured capitals decorated with vegetal motifs.
- Materials used included stone, marble, ivory, and wood.
Evolution of Gothic Sculpture
- 13th Century: Elongated figures with a characteristic “Gothic smile.” Sculptures on the great covers of cathedrals, such as Notre Dame, depicted scenes like the Last Judgment and the life of Christ. Chartres Cathedral featured a triple cover on its transepts, with the southern part depicting the Last Judgment and the northern part the life of the Virgin. Reims Cathedral showcased more naturalistic figures, all in honor of the Virgin.
- 14th Century: Sculptors largely continued the styles of the 13th century.
- 15th Century: Greater realism emerged, exemplified by the work of Claus Sluter at the Chartreuse de Champmol. Themes of death became more prevalent.
Spanish Gothic Sculpture
In the 13th century, Burgos Cathedral’s crossing featured the notable Sarmental door, with sculptures on the capitals showing strong French influence. Christ is depicted in the tympanum, dictating his word. The Cathedral of Leon, though less famous than Burgos, features three covers dedicated to the Virgin, St. John, and St. Francis. Notable artists of this period include Pere Johan in Catalonia, Simon of Cologne, who worked in Burgos, and Gil de Siloé, known for his choir stalls.