Week 3 Responses

Voyiazis – Week 3 Response

Using specific terminology and concepts covered in class, compare/contrast the Romanesque and Gothic styles of architecture.

Romanesque style structures give the sense of strength by massiveness, the Gothic style focuses on a slim, vertical stature with more intricate details. Both styles comprise of a nave, transept forming the shape of a latin cross, and a west-work. While Romanesque churches use semicircular portals and arcades, Gothic churches have ogival portals with detailed archivolts, jambs, and trumeau. While Romanesque churches used groin vaulting, Gothic churches used ribbed vaulting with bosses to create a more ornate look. Also, Gothic churches make more use of buttressing than Romanesque churches with the introduction of the flying buttress that could be multi-layered.

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