: These external support structures resisted the outward push of high walls, enabling the use of thinner walls and massive windows.
: A skeletal framework of stone ribs supported thin stone panels, significantly reducing the weight of the roof. Gothic: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting
: Large rose windows and lancet windows transformed walls into "curtains of light," often depicting biblical narratives for a largely illiterate public. Gothic Sculpture: The Rise of Naturalism : These external support structures resisted the outward
: Unlike rounded arches, these distributed weight more vertically, allowing for much taller ceilings. Gothic Sculpture: The Rise of Naturalism : Unlike
Gothic sculpture moved away from the stiff, stylized forms of the Romanesque period toward a more realistic and emotional representation of the human figure. Gothic Elements
Architecture was the dominant art form of the period, driven by the desire to build taller structures that could be filled with divine light. This was made possible by several key innovations: