Глава 4 История архитектуры. Вариант 1

GOTHIC CATHEDRALS.

The architecture of the central Middle Ages was termed Gothic during the Renaissance because of its association with the barbarian north. Now this term is used to describe the important international style in most countries of Europe from the early 12^th century to the advent of the Renaissance in the 15^th century.

At the technical level Gothic architecture is characterized by the ribbed vault, the pointed arch, and the flying buttress.

One of the earliest building in which these techniques were introduced was the abbey of Saint-Denis, Paris.

The proportions are not large, but the skills and precision with which the vaulting is managed and the subjective effect of the undulating chain windows around the perimeter have given the abbey its traditional claim to the title “first Gothic building”.

In English architecture, this style is subdivided into Early English, Decorative and Perpendicular. The most influential building in Early English Gothic style was the choir of Canterbury cathedral. The building retains a passage at a clerestory level – an Anglo-Norman feature that remained standard in English architecture well into the 13^th century. Attached colonettes became extremely popular with English architects, particularly because of the large supplies of purbeck marble, which gave any elevation a special coloristic character. This is obvious at Salisbury cathedral (begun 1220), but one of the richest examples of the effect is in the nave of Lincoln cathedral (begun 1225).

English architects for a long time retained a liking for heavy surface decoration: thus, when Rayonnant tracery designs were imported, they were combined with the existing repertoire of collonettes, attached shafts, and vault ribs. The result which could be extraordinary dense – for instance, in the east choir (begun 1256) at Lincoln cathedral – has been called the English Decorative style (1280 – 1350).

The architectural affects achieved were more inventive generally than those of contemporary continental building.

English Gothic came to an end with the final flowering of the Perpendicular style (1350-1550). It was characterized by vertical emphasis in structure and by elaborate fan vaults. The first major surviving statement of Perpendicular style is probably the choir of Gloucester cathedral.

Gothic was essentially the style of the Catholic countries of Europe. It was also carried to Cyprus, Malta, Syria, and Palestine by the Crusaders and their successors in the Mediterranean. The forms that were developed within the style on a regional basis were often of great beauty and complexity. They were used for secular building, as well as for cathedrals, churches, and monasteries.

By the Gothic survival is meant the survival of Gothic forms, particularly in provincial traditional building. It developed after the advent of the Renaissance and into the 17^th century. It should be differed from the Gothic Revival (Neo- Gothic) in the 18^th – the 19^th centuries.

AFTER-TEXT EXERCISES.

1.Answer the following questions:

6. When did Gothic architecture develop?

7. What are the characteristic features of the style?

8. What is the first Gothic building?

9. What are the Gothic phases in England?

10. What are the major monuments of Gothic architecture in England?

11. To what countries did the Crusaders carry Gothic?

12. What is meant by the Gothic Survival?

2.Read and translate the following word combinations into Russian:

The Middle Ages, the barbarian north, the ribbed vault, the skills and precision, to be subdivided, the most influential building, tracery designs, inventive, emphasis, to come to an end, secular building

3.Finish the sentences:

6. At the technical level Gothic architecture is characterized by the ribbed vault, the flying buttress, and…

7. The title the “first Gothic building”is given to…

8. In English architecture, the usual subdivisions are Early English, Decorative and … style.

9. English architects for a long time retained a liking for…

10. Gothic was essentially the style of the… countries.