Gothic Architecture

Unlike the Romanesque and Renaissance styles of architecture, Gothic began by having its greatest
impact in the north of Europe, in particular in France and England after about 1150. The magnificent
cathedrals of Chartres, Bourges, Canterbury and Lincoln all date from this early period. Gothic was to
dominate Europe for four centuries. Louis Grodecki tackles the problem of the definition of Gothic, and
of the extent to which certain technical, formal and iconographical features of Gothic can be regarded as
characteristic, with precision and clarity. Chapters devoted to France and England are followed by
accounts of Gothic in central Europe, Italy, Spain and Portugal, secular buildings being covered as well as
religious ones. The insmense diversity of buildings during the period is lavishly illustrated with
photographs, diagrams, plans and reconstructions. Louis Grodecki, who was lecturer in the history of
medieval art at the University of Paris from 1969 to 1978 and died in 1982, was an expert on
Romanesque and Gothic architecture and medieval glass.