The origin of Gothic Art dates back to the 12th century, when it began as an extension of Romanesque art in Northern France. Eventually, this style spread throughout much of Western Europe, particularly Northern and Southern countries, and even some parts of Central Europe. Though it never quite replaced the more classical styles of architecture in Italy, Gothic art remains one of the most popular and distinctive architectural styles of the world. Here are some interesting facts about Gothic Art.
In addition to the religious and the spiritual, Gothic art reflects an increasingly secular life. In the 12th century, royal courts in Paris and Bourges commissioned small prayer books. Many of the artists involved in this genre trained in the Dutch school of miniature painting, where they became known as "The Bourcicaut Master". In a similar vein, the Limbourg brothers painted the main portals of Chartres Cathedral, which reflects the restrained influences of the Muldenstil movement. In the 14th century, the third impulse of the genre emerged in the Parisian Notre-Dame cathedral, where the ecclesiastical architecture is prominent.
The emergence of realism in Gothic art was influenced by Renaissance and Byzantine styles. Early works of the period, such as the Coronation of the Virgin and the Life of the Virgin, resembling scenes from mythological stories, emerged from this tradition. In the late thirteenth century, the style began to receive more positive critical appraisal. This newfound acceptance was largely due to the renaissance in the 19th century, when religious fervor was gaining more ground among artists.