Gothic art refers to any art, whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or some other medium, created from about the mid-12th century through the end of the 14th century. Art was still created over the next century that’s often called International Gothic, but this type of art was more secular and generally had a more natural style than the Gothic art produced during the preceding 200 hundred years. It’s those 200 years that are considered the span of the Gothic art movement. The last century of International Gothic eventually turned into the Renaissance period.

Gothic architecture that was often used in cathedrals was created during the same 200-year period as the art. France was the birthplace of Gothic art, with the change springing from changes in the Romanesque style of art. Sculptures, paintings, fresco and stained glass were some of the most popular mediums.

Gothic art began as sculptures of Christian icons, and then artwork telling Christian stories. Eventually the art style became popular in the secular world, with it being used to tell non-religious stories, as well. It was during the Gothic period that often artists were required to belong to some sort of artists’ trade guild. Recordkeeping for artists and their work was more detailed than ever before. More Gothic artists are known than from any of the previous eras. It was also during the Gothic period that some artist began regularly signing their names to their work.

Gothic sculpture became a huge part of the movement, and popularized the idea of sculptures of Saints and other figures in cathedrals and abbeys. The first building considered to have been created in the Gothic style is the abbey at St. Denis, built in the early 12th century. Other buildings followed, with the idea becoming popular in Germany and throughout the rest of Europe.

Paintings done in that style didn’t really start to appear for half a century after the sculptures became popular. And like with many era changes, there’s no one moment when it’s clear that the Romanesque style had been replaced with Gothic art—the change is gradual, with more animated expressions and body poses, and slightly more realistic ratios as far as size. Panel paintings and illuminated manuscripts represent a huge amount of Gothic paintings. Oil paintings on stretched canvas weren’t really popular until the Renaissance period that would follow.

For this reason, finding authentic Gothic art from the original period is very difficult, and very expensive. Most surviving art is in the form of illustrations and sculptures. For the avid collector, a dealer is probably the best way to find pieces, though some sellers on eBay tend to specialize and may be helpful.

Reproductions and a variety of types of art in that style have been created since the end of the movement, of course, and almost any kind of dark, fantasy or Celtic art today is often called Gothic. Some vintage Gothic art done in an authentic style created just 100 years ago can be quite valuable.

Originally posted 2008-12-27 14:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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