Romanesque vs Gothic Architecture

Romanesque vs Gothic Architecture
The invention of the Gothic vault –
promoted by the forward-looking cleric, Abbot Suger (pronounced “sue
jay,” in French) – allowed for a profound new experience of
ecclesiastical architecture, bringing together elements of space, light,
and faith. This church, dedicated to Saint-Denis (“day knee”), was
dedicated in June of 1144 – The first full example of the Gothic
architectural style.
Incidentally, the “Gothic” label was not used during the High Middle Ages. Instead, Suger and others borrowed from Latin, “Opus Francigenum,” literally, “the work created in France”.

This assignment asks you compare and contrast these two architectural types, the Gothic and the Romanesque.
READ: From the OER Text, “Gothic”
VIEW: “Romanesque vs. Gothic Architecture,” YouTube video (ca. 4 minutes). Click below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwKg4ESvYG4 (Links to an external site.)

VIEW: Here’s a video on the history of the construction of Notre Dame, Paris – including its destruction by fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sok9PAN_8U (Links to an external site.)

PROMPT:
“As clearly and fully as possible – and using the appropriate technical terms
– account for both similarities and differences between Romanesque and
Gothic architecture.” (Minimum 250 words, equivalent to a
double-spaced, single page of text).
I expect you will put forward your
best effort as we move toward the end of the class. Include as much
information as you can. Write as though your grade depended on it!

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