12.2 Gothic Revival architecture

Gothic Revival architecture emerged in the 19th century as a reaction to classical styles. It revived medieval Gothic elements like pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, emphasizing verticality and ornate decoration.

This style reflected a growing interest in the Middle Ages and a desire for spiritual authenticity. Gothic Revival influenced religious, educational, and residential buildings, shaping the architectural landscape of the 19th century.

Defining Features of Gothic Revival

Key Architectural Elements

Top images from around the web for Key Architectural Elements

• 

  Free Stock photo of Flying Buttresses at York Minister Cathedral | Photoeverywhere View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Rib vault - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Gothic Art and Architecture – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Free Stock photo of Flying Buttresses at York Minister Cathedral | Photoeverywhere View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Rib vault - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Key Architectural Elements

• 

  Free Stock photo of Flying Buttresses at York Minister Cathedral | Photoeverywhere View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Rib vault - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Gothic Art and Architecture – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Free Stock photo of Flying Buttresses at York Minister Cathedral | Photoeverywhere View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Rib vault - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Pointed arches used extensively in windows, doors, and structural elements
• Ribbed vaults created by intersecting stone ribs, often adorned with decorative bosses
• Flying buttresses external support structures that allow for taller, thinner walls and larger windows
• Steeply pitched roofs with ornate gables, finials, and decorative roof trusses (hammer-beam roofs)
• Ornate tracery intricate stone or wood patterns in windows, screens, and panels (rose windows, fan vaults)

Decorative Details and Ornamentation

• Pinnacles tall, slender spires that rise from buttresses, rooflines, and other architectural features
• Quatrefoils, trefoils, and crockets recurring decorative motifs based on stylized foliage and geometric shapes
• Intricate stone carvings and sculptures depicting religious scenes, heraldic symbols, and mythical creatures (gargoyles, grotesques)
• Polychromatic brickwork and stonework patterns created through the use of contrasting colors (red brick with white stone accents)
• Gothic Revival interiors featuring ribbed vaults, pointed arch openings, carved wood details, stained glass, and ornate metalwork (wrought iron)

Context for Gothic Revival Resurgence

Reaction to Classical Styles

• Gothic Revival emerged as a counterpoint to the prevailing classical styles of the 18th century (Neoclassicism, Georgian)
• Sought to revive the spirituality, craftsmanship, and organic forms associated with medieval Gothic architecture
• Championed by English architects and theorists like Augustus Pugin and John Ruskin as a means of promoting moral and social reform
• Reflected a growing interest in the Middle Ages as a time of perceived simplicity, authenticity, and spiritual purity

Influence of Industrialization and Nationalism

• Industrial Revolution and rapid urbanization created nostalgia for the medieval past and its perceived values
• Gothic Revival seen as a way to reconnect with traditional craftsmanship and aesthetics in an age of mass production
• Associated with the rise of nationalism and the search for distinctly "national" architectural styles in Europe
• Employed in the design of government buildings, schools, and other institutions to convey a sense of history and identity

Gothic Revival vs Other 19th Century Styles

Contrast with Neoclassical and Greek Revival

• Gothic Revival emphasized verticality, asymmetry, and organic forms, in contrast to the horizontal emphasis and rational proportions of Neoclassical architecture
• Rejected the classical orders and symmetry in favor of more dynamic, expressive forms and ornamentation
• Sought to evoke the spirituality and mystery of the Middle Ages, rather than the clarity and reason of ancient Greece and Rome

Similarities and Differences with Other Revival Styles

• Romanesque Revival also drew inspiration from medieval architecture but focused on the rounded arches and massive walls of Romanesque churches
• Italianate style incorporated some Gothic Revival elements (pointed arch windows) but was generally more restrained and symmetrical
• Queen Anne style was more eclectic, combining Gothic Revival elements with other historical styles and materials (half-timbering, terracotta)
• Gothic Revival was part of a broader trend of historicism and eclecticism in 19th-century architecture, which freely combined elements from different periods and styles

Influence of Gothic Revival on Buildings

Religious Architecture

• Widely used for churches and cathedrals to evoke the spirituality and grandeur of medieval Christianity
• Notable examples include St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York City), Westminster Abbey (London), and Votive Church (Vienna)
• Employed pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and large stained glass windows to create a sense of verticality and transcendence
• Incorporated symbolic ornamentation and iconography to convey religious themes and narratives

Educational and Institutional Buildings

• Used for universities, schools, and libraries to create a sense of tradition, authority, and academic gravitas
• Examples include the University of Glasgow (Scotland), University of Mumbai (India), and the Houses of Parliament (London)
• Gothic Revival elements like towers, tracery windows, and ornate carvings used to convey a sense of history and importance
• Adapted to local contexts and materials, often incorporating regional motifs and vernacular elements

Residential and Landscape Architecture

• Gothic Revival cottages and villas were popular in rural and suburban areas of Europe and North America
• Incorporated Gothic elements like pointed arch windows, steep gables, and decorative bargeboards into domestic-scale buildings
• Gothic Revival principles also influenced the design of parks, gardens, and cemeteries, with an emphasis on naturalistic, picturesque landscapes (Central Park, New York)
• Gothic Revival furniture and decorative arts sought to create a cohesive aesthetic experience, with an emphasis on hand-crafted, ornate details (Pugin's designs for the Palace of Westminster)