The Gothic was an early art movement which changed the shape of Europe, formalising old traditions and paving the way for progress. Spawning from the Romanesque, the style took influence from Roman Catholicism and humanist ideals, inspiring the creation of Europe’s great ‘heaven-on-Earth’ buildings and their associated works – from Sainte-Chapelle to the Sceptre of Charles V.
Given the sizeable impact the Gothic style had on the continent, here we look at some of the movement’s key facets and elements, and explore the Gothic art and architecture which you can experience as part of your European river cruise.
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Emerging in the 12th century and lasting for a period of roughly 400 years, Gothic art was popularised through much of Europe, being particularly commonplace in France and Italy. Influenced by the proliferation of Roman Catholicism and cultural changes including the emergence of universities, the movement saw the introduction of naturalistic humanism to painting and sculpture, with figures, like the Virgin Mary, depicted in typical, everyday poses.
As the centuries passed, Gothic art borrowed from other cultures and traditions, specifically Byzantine and Romanesque. Regionality was also a key differentiator, with Gothic works in Italy being wholly unlike those in northern France and Germany.
Here are some of the Gothic artworks you can see on an Emerald Waterways river cruise in Europe.
Gothic architecture was the precursor to Gothic art, setting the foundations for a movement which would span some 400 years. Buildings designed in the Gothic style are characterised by their lofty vaults, flying buttresses, decorative tracery and stained-glass windows, all of which contributed to the overall objective of such designs: to create a heavenly environment in the tangible world.
Visit any Gothic building or vestige, and you’ll likely feel a sense of being dwarfed by your surroundings. Vast halls, towering spires and flying buttresses were introduced to inspire awe and scale, dazzling the senses and affirming the existence of higher powers.
Below, we explore a handful of examples of Gothic architecture which you can discover on the rivers of Europe.