Chartres, France
The monuments and architecture in ancient times allow talking and narrating about the historical background from the angle of time in which they were built. Through various signs, they inform us about the prosperity, decline of the reigns and empires as well. Thus, they are the major means of communication. They can tell us a lot about the economic, political and religious circumstances of the specific region. They also narrate the contemporary architectural trend. In medieval Europe, especially in France, the Gothic architecture was at its pinnacle. Cathedral Notre-Dame de Chartres is one of the Gothic architecture examples in the middle age. It is also known as Chartres Cathedral. The building has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was among the first sites included in the list of World Heritage. The cathedral was built between 1194 and1220. This is a wonder that the cathedral was completed in mere 26 years ("The Wondrous Background And History Of Chartres Cathedral"). It is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. The churches in those days used to be constructed in the Gothic style. There are three major elements or fundamentals of Gothic architecture; firstly the architecture has a typical pointed arch. Secondly, it has a ribbed vault and thirdly, it has the flying buttress. The Gothic architecture according to Kleiner (n.d.) was the sign of an era of peace and widespread prosperity, deep spirituality and extraordinary technological innovation.
The cathedral was the milestone in the progress of Western Architecture ("Chartres Cathedral | Cathédrale Notre-Dame De Chartres"). It is the well preserved heritage site in France. Almost all the stain glass windows are still survived. The cathedral is one of the best survived medieval buildings ("Chartres Cathedral | Cathédrale Notre-Dame De Chartres"). Unlike most other cathedrals, Chartres Cathedral is no palimpsest, but a pristine document and it has been miraculously preserved from the external forces (Ball, 4).
Since thirteen century, the minor alterations have been taking place. The cathedral used to be the most important building in the town as well as it used to be the major financial and economic center. In the middle age it was a main market place and a place for different commercial and trade activities.
The cultural factors related to Charles Cathedral are also very interesting. The place has a religious importance. It was the place of pilgrimage especially by the end of 12th century. The religious festival was divided into four great fairs: presentation, annunciation, assumptions and nativity ("Chartres Cathedral | Cathédrale Notre-Dame De Chartres"). Many devotees used to visit the place especially to see the shroud of Virgin Mary.
During the outbreak of ergotism, the cathedral became the place for medical aid and hospitalization for the victims. The crypt of the cathedral was converted into hospital and a medical care center for the patients (Favier et al., 31).
This Gothic masterpiece has been the house of tunic of Virgin Mary (Sancta Camisia) since 876. In the waves of political upheaval the cathedral survived in the fire of 1134. It was not documented that during French revolution, or other several restoration movements, it has ever altered its original beauty.
Recently in 2009 the French Ministry of Culture has conducted $18.5 program for restoring the cathedral. Today the Cathedral has remained as the seat of the Bishops of Chartres.
The topic of research for this paper was the thorough discussion of one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in France, Chartres Cathedral. The discussion was from cultural, economic and historical perspectives. For the research the focus was based on the secondary data. The data were collected from the books, articles and the internet websites. Previously before collecting the data, the building was just observed. But that was not sufficient for the research. So the sources were found on the basis of some research questions. The sources were based on the following research questions:
1. What are the economic, political, cultural and religious factors connected to Chartres Cathedral?
2. Why the cathedral is called the Gothic architecture symbol? What elements of Gothic structure are found in Chartres Cathedral?
The various collected sources described that the era witnessed economic prosperity and hence the architecture is the symbol of economic prosperity. The obtained sources was not focused on the political references of the cathedral. The number of rich people was significant. The data also reveals the fact that people used to worship Mother Mary. The cathedral was the major seat of all religious affairs in France. The people used to be very religious in those days. Paris was the dominating city and its political importance also grew in the same era. The ornamental and aesthetic values are the evidence of the cultural prosperity.
The collected sources also elaborate how the prosperity was short lived and how the monument had to undergo through political unrest. The damage was substantial due to crisis, and riots, etc. During the period of unrest the cathedral suffered from severe damage.
The overall sources reveal the common fact and that the cathedral is the exquisite specimen of Gothic architecture. The sources also introduce the Gothic genre of architecture.
The collected sources inform about the structural pattern of the cathedral, which was symmetrical. Thus, the sources collectively answer the research questions designed for the research.
Chartres Cathedral is the typical Gothic architecture. The length of the church is 155 meters and it has the interior height of 37 meters. The width of the nave of the cathedral is 47.5 meters while the length is 73 meters. The South Tower of the Cathedral is 107 meters high. The diameter of the large rose window is 13.4 meters ("The Wondrous Background And History Of Chartres Cathedral"). The cathedral has a vast nave in a pure ogival style. The porches of the church are decorated with amazing sculptures of the 12th century (ChartresCathedral).
The Latin Cross plan is used while erecting Chartres Cathedral. The East end of Chartres Cathedral is semi-circular with lots of sculptures. Several scenes from Bible have been elaborated on the East end.
One of the major attributes of the Gothic Architecture is the flying buttresses. The cathedral is built in flying buttresses (Editor). There are two kinds of buttresses: the pier buttresses and the flying buttresses. The flying buttresses are supported by the pier buttresses.
The nave of Chartres Cathedral is supposed to be the widest in France. There is a cluster of columns up to a great height towards the arched ceiling. The sculptures here depict stories about the holy family. The astrological clock is placed in the Cathedral. It used to tell the different phases of moon, day, month and the time of sunrise and sunset. A labyrinth is there for the worships and meditation. The circumference of this labyrinth is very much similar to the large rose window.
The architecture of Chartres Cathedral witnesses the sublimity in architecture. The asymmetry in Notre Dame is probably maintained to avoid the monotony.
The geographical and environmental factors influence the architecture. Hence one can see the variety of architecture in various parts of the world. Studying the style and structure of different architecture is an amazing experience for the architects. Chartres Cathedral is the typical Western architecture symbol, a typical gothic style architecture example which differentiates itself as a religious building, i.e. cathedral. If compared the Western architecture to the Eastern architecture, one can find lots of differences.
There is a notable Eastern or Asian architecture in Burma called Gawdawpalin temple. The temple is located in Bagan, in Burma (Myanmar). As far as the date of erection of these two constructions is considered, both of these architectures were built around the same era. Chartres Cathedral and Gawdawpalin temple, both are the building serves the main purpose of worship ("Bagan : Gawdawpalin Temple, Myanmar(Burma)"). Chartres Cathedral is the Christian place of worship whereas Gawdawpalin is the Buddhist place of worship. The temple was completed during the reign of Htilominlo, son of King Narapatisithu. The similarity of these two religious monuments is that both are built to exhibit the glory and the power of the respective kings. Chartres Cathedral is one of the most influential cathedrals whereas Gawdawpalin temple is also one of the largest shrines in the Bagan region ("Bagan : Gawdawpalin Temple, Myanmar(Burma)"). The shape of the temple is square. There are porticoes on the four sides of the temple. Porticoes are the structure with a roof supplemented by columns at regular intervals. They are attached as a porch to the building. It is a double storied and square in plan. On the ground floor, there is a vaulted corridor around a central block. A Buddha image is placed there.
One of the differences in Gawdawpalin temple and Chartres Cathedral is that earlier is a pagoda structure, a tiered tower structure with eaves. Whereas Notre Dame is a typical Gothic architecture with pointed arches, flying buttresses and ribbed vaulting.
The West façade of the cathedral has three sculpted portals. The incarnation cycle and the Sedes Sapientiae are depicted on the South portal. The lowest lintel elaborates the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity and the Annunciation of the shepherds. The presentation of the temple is shown on the second register. The vertical recessed triangular space forming the center of pediment or simply tympanum is the image of the Sedas Sapientiae which can also be defined as the Throne of Wisdom. The Virgin Mary and the child are shown enthroned. The liberal art is also personified and depicted on the two bands of voussoirs. The Liberal Art is shown along with her male supporters and the angels.
On the North Portal the theme of Ascension of Jesus Christ is portrayed. But some of the scholars argue that the theme is rather the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. The two registers have different depiction. On the lowest register there are ten figures sitting under an architectural canopy. They can be elaborated as the prophets who are waiting for the arrival of Jesus Christ. The second register has the depiction of angels talking with gestures to the prophets. The depiction of the Christ in the tympanum is in the swirl of clouds. His arms are open and they are flanked by two angels.
The second portal is the depiction of the arrival of Jesus Christ. The tympanum elaborates Christ seated for judgment and he is surrounded by the lion, bull, eagle and the angel.
The West façade of Chartres consists of many stylish and classic elements. The West Portal is also called as the Martyrs portal. It has depicted the scene of the life of Saint Stephen and his martyrdom. The central porter of South transept depicts the Last Judgment Scene. The central portal depicts the coronation of Virgin Mary. The tympanum shows her sitting on the throne with her child.
There are so many windows with stain glass. The magnificent and jeweled hues of rose windows shine with luminous color. The total number of stain glass windows in Chartres Cathedral is150. The number is substantial in the history of Gothic Architecture.
If compared this piece of architecture with the similar specimen, many differences and similarities can be identified. For example The Chartres Cathedral is very similar to the Notre Dame Cathedral located in Paris. The purpose of both of them is religious and both of them are dedicated for the worship of Virgin Mary. Both Chartres Cathedral and Notre Dame Cathedral have one common architectural factor and that is their Gothic Style. Both are built between 12th and 13th century.
Along with similarities some differences are also found in these two architectures. The first difference is that Notre Dame Cathedral is located in Paris, the major political, social, cultural and religious center of France whereas Chartres Cathedral is located in Chartres city some kilometers away from Paris. Thirdly, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was attacked, devastated several times. On the other hand, the Chartres Cathedral was among the few most preserved monuments with negligible damage by external forces. Hence originality of Gothic structure can be seen in Chartres Cathedral.
Work Cited
1."Bagan : Gawdawpalin Temple, Myanmar(Burma)". Bagan.travelmyanmar.net. Web.20 Mar. 2016.
2.Ball, Philip. Universe Of Stone. London: Bodley Head, 2008. Print.
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7.Editor,. "Architecture Analysis Of Chartres Cathedral - Yak Max". Yakmax.com. N.p.,2014. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
8.Favier, Jean et al. The World Of Chartres. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1990. Print.
9."Gothic Architecture: Style, Characteristics & History." Study.com. Web. 20 Mar.2016. <http://study.com/academy/lesson/gothic-art-and-architecture.html>.
10.Kleiner, Fred. Gardner's Art Through The Ages. A Global History. Cengage Learning,2014. Print.
11."The Wondrous Background And History Of Chartres Cathedral".En.chartressecrets.org. N.p., 2008. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
Site Contexts and Political Patronage
The Notre Dame De Chartres Cathedral is located in Northwestern France in a small town known as Chartres. Chartres is about 80 kilometers from the French Capital, Paris (Pierre 1). Chartres is a market town with many manufacturing firms. This building is in the French Gothic architectural style. It is famous not only for the many sculptures that it has but also on the extent to which it captures innovation.
In terms of historical context, the building was built during the early Middle Ages in 1194 after fires had ravaged other previous cathedral in which the Sancta Camisia- Virgin Mary’s veil was housed (Watkin 154; Pierre 1). The Cathedral was built at a time of rapport between the Kings of France and the Pope. The period had great technological advancements and innovations.
Culturally, the building incorporates cultural traditions that give value to number and proportion as underpinning building blocks of creation as copied from God (Harvey 37). It uses the same principles captured in the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge.
The Chartres Cathedral was built from donations by wealthy noblemen and merchants from different parts of France (Watkin 154). These people contributed because of the Cathedral’s great religious value. The builders inscribed the names of the main donors on the walls of the cathedral. The Catholics kept the Biblical Virgin Mary’s veil in the treasury inside the building. People from all walks of life made pilgrimages to the Cathedral for worship.
The Chartres Cathedral is oriented east, based on the fact that Christians viewed sunrise as symbolic of resurrection (Sparavigna 7). However, it faces the sun and is built at an altitude of 140m, rising above the surrounding landscape. It has a height of nave of 121 feet and an overall length of 430 feet (Abelard.org 1).
The Cathedral appears more monumental than surrounding buildings and is set apart by its Gothic architectural features of magnificent stained windows, great size, a 377-foot tall spire, and a 118 foot-high nave (Pierre 1). It has a grand entrance, the “Royal” portal with religious figures of Christ, Mary, saints, and apostles (Pierre 1).
It hovers around the surrounding relatively flat area. It appears to jut upward from the surrounding topography. Although the area on which it stands is higher than the surrounding, from a distance, the surrounding area looks relatively flat. The materials seem to blend in with the surrounding because of the visual patina they have developed with age.
Works Cited
Abelard.org, "Cathedral Plans, And Facts | France Zone At Abelard.Org." Abelard.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.
Carolina Sparavigna, Amelia. "The Solar Orientation Of The Gothic Cathedrals Of France".ijSciences 0.04 (2014): 6-11. Web.
Harvey, John, The Gothic World 1100-1600, A Survey of Architecture and Art, B.T. Batsford Ltd, London, 1950.
Pierre, "Chartres Cathedral - French Moments." French Moments. N.p., 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.
Watkin, David. A History of Western Architecture. London: Laurence King, 2005. Print
Notre-Dame Cathedral
The primary purpose of this essay is to explain how Cathedral of Notre-Dame, also referred to as Chartres Cathedral relates to the culture of the time and how the building was a product of its cultural and political conditions. Chartres Cathedral is situated in Chartres, towards the northwestern France and is one of the prime examples of French Gothic architecture. It is famous for its stained glass and different sculptures ranging from column statues to miniatures. A fire in 1194 destroyed most of the cathedral, which was later reconstructed (Chartres Cathedral 2016). The church is made of limestone and displays tall arcades, huge clerestory and a narrow triforium. The original architect of the church remains anonymous, and it was built with donations coming in from all over France.
Chartres Cathedral was listed under UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Ever since the early Middle Ages, it has been a major pilgrimage destination. It is looked upon as a great achievement in the history of architecture and conveys its original image when it was built. Its architecture is based on French Gothic (Chartres Cathedral 2016). The Gothic style of architecture first emerged in northern France around 1140. It main features include the pointed arch, arched flying buttresses, the rib vault and window tracery (Gothic Architecture 2016). The abbey of Saint-Denis was the first chief building project in the fresh Gothic style, and the style was incorporated in several great Gothic cathedrals such as Soissons and Notre-Dame. Cathedral carries the essence of the Gothic style, and its magnificent architecture is lauded for displaying the richness of the medieval imagination. The design of the Gothic cathedral is based on a Latin cross carrying aisles. There are five semi-circular radiating chapels towards the curved east. From a distance, it seems as if the Cathedral is hovering in mid-air above fields.
During the French Revolution, the Chartres Cathedral was not looted nor destroyed, and its original glory has stayed the same. Thus, what one finds here is one of the finest examples French Gothic architecture. This was the first building to use buttresses as a structural element and to create stability for the bold construction of the church. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France and a milestone in the development of Western architecture as it makes use of the new Gothic architectural elements, for example, the flying buttress and the pointed arch. The surviving stained glass and sculpture belong to 12th-and 13th-century, and thus, it is rightly said to be a completely surviving medieval church. The interior of the Chartres cathedral is truly unique and remarkable. All light in the interior of the church filters through stained glass and no direct light enters the building and thus create a warm glow of the light inside. The purpose of the sculptures and stained-glass windows was to preach and instruct. This is why most sculptures depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The stained-glass windows depict Virgin Mary in various ways. The central portal of the church is devoted to the Coronation of the Virgin.
Chartres Cathedral is truly a masterpiece with its superb architecture and a rich history. It has survived numerous fires, revolutions, and wars. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists travel to the Cathedral, to experience the words of the old Mass and experience the glowing interior as well as to see the beautiful architecture. It marks the extraordinary point of French Gothic art, reflected in its pure original style, porches with fine sculptures and stained-glass windows that belong to the 12th and 13th-century (Chartres Cathedral 2016). It has remained true to history and time, rich in spirituality and architecture. It remains an import at site Christian pilgrimage since the Middle Ages, and thousands of pilgrims and families from all over France participate every year.
Works Cited
"Chartres Cathedral". britannica. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016.
"Chartres Cathedral". sacred-destinations.com. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016.
"Chartres Cathedral". chartrescathedral. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016.
"Gothic Architecture." vam.ac.uk. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016.
Building Techniques and Structure
The Chartres Cathedral, also known as the Notre-Dame Cathedral located eighty kilometers to the southwest of Paris is perhaps the best-preserved example of Gothic architecture. It stands in the town of Chartres next to the Eure River. The Cathedral has two contrasted spires that are visible from a distance (See figure 1). It was built for a period of 26 years between the years 1194 and 1220 and is the fifth cathedral to stand on its site (visual-arts-cork.com 1). The Chartres Cathedral stands 34 meters high and 130 meters long (visual-arts-cork.com 1). The architecture of the Chartres Cathedral amazes architects to this day because of its dependability and durability.
The Chartres Cathedral was built by townsfolk who sacrificed their time because they believed in the building’s religious significance. It was built at the request of Chartres’ Bishop Fulbert.
For the stability of the daring construction, large flying buttresses were utilized in an unprecedented manner. At the time of construction, buttresses were replacing the graduated external profile and using a two-level elevation that was simpler but more majestic than the method used for earlier buildings. The building uses an arcuate system of vaults, domes, and arches. In effect, the Cathedral used the contemporary technology of the time that focused on proper weight distribution. The weight of the different vaults is passed down to the buttresses using double arches as well as radial colonnettes (Marks 1). The use of buttresses and arches enabled the Chartres master architects to afford more space for the interior in an original fashion. The interior also looked harmonious in proportion to the entire structure. The arches incorporated a margin of error that enabled them to hinge without collapse and the walls to slip a bit under expansion or wind movement (Marks 1). The building used innovations such as pairs of lancet windows as well as quadripartite ribbed vaults under alternating polygonal and cylindrical elements (visual-arts-cork.com 1)
Scholars do not have an idea of the tools that were used to move the materials used for the Cathedral’s construction to the building site. However, it is rumored that levers, blocks, capstans, wind glasses and tackles were used to move the masonry into place (Marks 1). When the building was complete, it took several years for the primitive cement that had been used to set.
The materials used in the construction of the cathedral are varied and diverse. The Cathedral was built using limestone. The roof of the structure is framed predominantly in wood (abelard.org 1). Wood has good strength under compression. Also, the vaults and arches were made of stone which also has good strength under compression. The tensile strengths of the materials used for the arches and walls were tested after diagrams such as figure 2 were drawn.
The most vivid material used is the stained glass. The cathedral features 167 stained glass windows comprising of several pieces of glass that date back to early 13th Century. The glass’ luminous nature enhances the light. The artists who did the glass windows include the Master of St Chéron and the Master of St Lubin (Athenapub.com 1)
Gothic architects, as well as sculptors, also included the narrative sculpture around the entrances and doorways of the Cathedral. The west façade portals (doors) have an encyclopedia of sorts comprising Biblical art (See figure 2). Each portal has art depicting one aspect of Christ’s purpose.
Works Cited
Abelard.org, "Gothic Cathedral And Church Construction | France Zone At Abelard.Org".Abelard.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 3 May 2016.
Athenapub.com, "Chartres." Athenapub.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 3 May 2016.
Marks, Thomas. "How They Built Chartres Cathedral." Telegraph.co.uk. N.p., 2008. Web. 3 May 2016.
Visual-arts-cork.com, "Chartres Cathedral: Gothic Architecture, Stained Glass Art." Visual-arts-cork.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 3 May 2016.
