Purchase Solution

Early Byzantine Arts and Gothic Church Architecture

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

This task is achieved:
You watch a television show about Gothic church architecture, and it interests you so much that you decide to write a research paper on the subject for your English composition class. Using the Internet, discuss this type of architecture.

Church Selected: Church of Hagia Sophia

Task:
What characteristics are common to this particular type of church? How were these new architectural elements innovative in providing greater structural stability? What features are specific to the Gothic cathedrals that were not present in ancient Greek and Roman temples and previous church forms (i.e., the basilica)? Choose one Gothic cathedral and discuss it in terms of its architecture?what characteristics does it display that are typically "Gothic"?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

Early Byzantine Arts and Gothic Church Architecture are examined.

Solution Preview

Please allow these 4 paragraphs to help. It is so hard to condense all this topical area into such a small amount. Good luck with this challenging topic! However, I offer you as much as I can:

First, as you list common characteristics are common to this particular type of church, the Hagia Sophia, you might list urban context, bearing masonry, Byzantine style, massive domed space, relieving arches, and arched colonnades as key features and support structures. Research from www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/building_map.cgi?Hagia_Sophia has these tips and more.

As you then overview how were these new architectural elements innovative in providing greater structural stability, please look at the actual building materials in Gothic such as limestone and mortar. As a type of primitive form of cement, these materials ensured more stability. Wood also held roofs, flying buttresses, and doors. Stained glass windows also gave more aesthetic appeal. Gothic vaults also received structural help from arches "formed by placing blunt, wedge-shaped stones called voussoiros on a framework" (www.amersol.edu.pe/class10/_10schen/7th/history/MiddleAges.htm) and also helped to reduce the risk of fire.

You might also talk about the use of flying buttress to help support from the outside. "If ...

Solution provided by:
Education
  • BS , Slippery Rock University
  • MA, Slippery Rock University
Recent Feedback
  • "thk u"
  • "Thank you. Posted one more.. if you are online pls help. "
  • "thk u"
  • "thk u"
  • "thnk you"
Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Impressionism

Test your knowledge of Impressionism with these six questions.

Ancient Greek Art - Identification

Sharpen your knowledge of ancient Greek art with this identification quiz.

Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture appears in every art history survey course. Test your knowledge of this important phase of architecture with this short quiz.

Neoclassicism

Brief quiz about the context and artists of the Neoclassical style.

Visual Art Vocabulary

This quiz will test your knowledge of introductory vocabulary pertaining to visual art. These terms will be helpful as you write papers or plan oral presentations.