“When the history of the West began to be written in the fifteenth century, Renaissance scholars wrote of the dark ages that intervened between the glory of Greece and Rome and what they perceived as their own enlightened age. But in actuality, the ten centuries following Constantine’s death were not quite the cultural wasteland that Renaissance writers imagined” (Roth 302).
Was the dark ages really a dismal and gloomy period of time that many people think it is? Or was this a time of intellect and awareness of architecture and it surroundings. During this time, there was a need for a space that could occupy a large amount of people, represent the universe and hear a single leader speak to the people. What would the form of the building look like to accommodate these different requirements? The building would have to be narrower than long to carry the sound and represent initiation to death. A long space would dictate exactly where the leader would stand and hold many people. The long axis would also represent working forward in life from initiation to death. This new building form would require much different experimentation; many that would fall in the end. Many of these buildings were made of stone and glass to tell stories and what the universe truly entails.
The Dark Ages was a disintegration of political power. Though many writers assume this was an ancient world where nothing exciting happens, much great architecture occurs. People in the Renaissance coin the term “Dark Ages” to make this time period seem unpleasant and present their time as impressive. As generations continue to build cathedrals to accommodate for worship, ideas are translated. The forms of these cathedrals are tall and grand, forms that are not unproblematic to build. Through word of mouth, successful techniques are carried throughout time, presenting similar cathedrals in various locations. Similar elements among these Gothic cathedrals include buttresses, vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, clerestory windows, a nave, cruciform, interior columns, sculptures, verticality, and axial progression. All these elements tell a story of theses small ordered kingdoms in which forms are created through experimenting.
As one begins to examine the “Dark Ages,” you realize this was not a dire time where nothing exciting occurred. This was a time where the focus shifts to moving forward in life and examining how to explain a whole universe in a building. An understanding of people and where we belong strikes questions of firmness, concept, and delight. The Dark Ages really was not as “dark” as people may assume. It was indeed an insightful network of experimentation. Great order occurred where people came together at the fall of the Roman Empire.
Good explanation of the dark ages and Gothic Cathedrals. You obviously took a lot of time putting this together. Your image ties directly into your text and works well with the composition. I think you could expand on how the chapter as a whole was a foundation.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job explaining the use and symbolism of Cathedrals during the dark ages.
ReplyDeleteI think you tied your image into the essay well, it is a great portrayal of the ideas you were trying to convey. I would have liked to have seen more about Egypt, Greece, and Rome since these are the places that the majority of the Foundations unit was spent in. I think the Renaissance is getting more into the Alternatives unit. However, your essay is well put together and obviously had much thought put into its main points. Also, nice job tying in the Roth quote at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated how you brought your image into your essay and discussed the important aspect of the Dark Ages, and Catholic Cathedrals. I can tell that you have a great understanding of the Dark Ages, however you don't go into depth about the entire chapter, make sure you focus on showing your understanding of the whole and not just a particular part. Other than that I think this is a great summary. good job!
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