HART 205. Introduction to the History of Art
Lecture
35 (December 2, 1998).
French Gothic Architecture
Rayonnant and Flamboyant Periods
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I. RAYONNANT PERIOD (1231-1380s).
Term Rayonnant from radiating referring to the tracery of a rose
window. See transept facades of Notre-Dame, Paris, c.
1250.
A. Historical Context. Associated with the reign of Louis IX (1226-1270) and the increasing prestige of Paris. Louis IX began reign at age 11 with mother, Blanche of Castille acting as regent of France. He was canonized a saint in 1297.
Formal Considerations. Branner refers to the architecture under Louis as "Court Style" architecture. Not innovative in ground plan or structure but a refinement of the Gothic system and Gothic visual logic. Development of a light skeletal system, all-pervasive windows, linkage of triforium to clerestory and the appearance of the glazed triforium, unified treatment of articulation, elegance of scale rather than immensity, appeal to the intellect through subtleties rather than balance and clarity, wall treated as multiple layers or series of receding plans, multiplication of shafts and moldings for the maximum visual articulation, metallic precision in sculptural forms, profiles become thinner and sharper, compound pier favored for its explicitness.
B. Abbey of Saint Denis. 1231 beginning of construction of the Rayonnant choir and transepts under Abbot Eudes Clement du Metz. Mausoleum for French Kings. Scholasticism and "the principle of progressive divisibility".
C. Ste.-Chapelle, Paris. 1239 Louis IX purchased the relic of the crown of thorns and other passion relics from Beaudoin II, Emperor of Constantinople, 1246 chapel completed and consecrated in 1248. Attached to the king's residence on the Ile-de-la-Cité. Idea of reliquary turned "inside out".
II. FLAMBOYANT PERIOD
(1380s-1520s). Term flamboyant refers to the
"flame-like" tracery patterns of the windows. See transept facades of
St.-Etienne, Beauvais, c. 1500 with mouchettes and
soufflets .
A. Historical Context. Dramatic shift in population and wealth as a result of the Hundred Years War and the Black Death. Rise of strong merchant class seeking new social status.
Formal Considerations. Rich surface decoration, high level craftsmanship, smaller structures (e.g. parish churches, chapels, transept facades).
B. Saint Maclou, Rouen, (built 1430s-1521). A parish church designed by the master mason, Pierre Robin from Paris. Patrons were from the merchant class in the parish and headed by the leading families including the Dufour. Note: polygonal plan, emphasis on diagonal recession in external massing, new pier type (made up of continuous flat-nosed fillet moldings), and double-curved tracery. Miniature monumental architecture.