Gothic Sculpture in Europe: A Comprehensive Guide
Gothic Sculpture in Europe
France
The 12th century in France saw the rise of monumental sculptures, particularly in cathedrals like Chartres and Notre Dame. The latter’s St. Anne’s door features a tympanum with three bands depicting scenes related to the Virgin Mary.
The 13th century witnessed continued sculptural embellishment of cathedrals. Notable examples include:
- Chartres Cathedral: Sculptures depicting Doomsday, the Coronation of the Virgin, and the Birth of Christ, characterized by idealized beauty.
- Amiens Cathedral: Sculptures showcasing majesty and classicism, such as the Doomsday scene, the Golden Lady, and the Beautiful Goddess on the mullion.
- Reims Cathedral: Works by various classical sculptors, including the Visitation scene influenced by ancient figures and the renowned Angel of the Smile.
The 14th century saw the emergence of ivory workshops in Paris and the influential sculptures of the Court of Burgundy. Claus Sluter’s Well of Moses, with its monumental crucifix foreshadowing Michelangelo’s style, and the Tomb of Philip the Bold, featuring elaborate hooded figures, are key examples.
Italy
Italy boasted a rich sculptural tradition, primarily using marble and drawing inspiration from classical models while incorporating Gothic influences from France. The Pisano family of Pisa played a significant role in the 14th century. Nicola Pisano created the pulpit of Siena Cathedral, while his son Giovanni, with a more Gothic style, sculpted the pulpit of Pisa Cathedral. Nicola’s brother, Andrea Pisano, crafted the first set of bronze doors for the Florence Baptistery.
United Kingdom
Funerary sculpture was prominent in the UK, with the tomb of the Black Prince at Canterbury Cathedral being a notable example.
Germany
Strasbourg Cathedral, dating back to the 14th century, is renowned for its expressive and mannerist sculptures. The intricate drapery and the tendency towards expressionism, evident in the portrayal of smiles and pain (particularly in Pietà sculptures), are characteristic features. Wood carvings also gained prominence during this period.
Portugal
Significant works include the tomb of Pedro I in Alcobaça and various sculptures of the Virgin Mary, saints, and crucified Christ figures.
Spain
13th Century
Maestro Mateo’s Portico de la Gloria at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic sculpture. The sculptures, including the Apostle on the mullion, pairs of apostles on the jambs, and the Pantocrator on the tympanum, are brought to life with remarkable naturalism.
Maestro Mateo, in collaboration with French sculptors, also contributed to the sculptures of the Cathedral of Tuy in Pontevedra.
The sculptures of the Collegiate Church of Toro are notable for their focus on the Virgin Mary, with the tympanum depicting her death and coronation.
Funerary sculpture workshops flourished, producing masterpieces like the royal tombs at Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of Bishop Rodrigo, also in Compostela.
In Castile, sculptures inspired by the Burgos workshops gained prominence. Examples include the tombs of Doña Berengaria and Carrión de los Condes, which depict the placement of the corpse in the coffin. The Sarmental Gate, featuring the Pantocrator and evangelists, and the Coroneria Gate, with the theme of the Last Judgment, both at Burgos Cathedral, are also noteworthy.
The sculptures of León Cathedral exhibit a strong influence from Reims, evident in the Puerta del Juicio Final and the Virgen Blanca on the mullion with its supporting structure and canopy.
14th Century
The schools of Toledo and Burgos flourished during this period. In Burgos, Diego de Siloé created notable works such as the choir stalls of the cathedral, the altarpiece of the Miraflores Charterhouse, and the tombs of Juan II of Castile and his wife Isabella of Portugal in the same monastery. The tomb is designed as a starry floor made of alabaster. The tomb of Prince Juan was also crafted there.
In Toledo, the tomb of Doncel de Sigüenza (D. Martín Vázquez de Arce) by Sebastián de Toledo, located in the Sigüenza Cathedral, stands out as a significant work.