The Gothic period was one in which grandiose, ornate architectural and artistic elements ran rampant. It took place from 1150 to 1500.
The Gothic style that was seen in art and furniture was derived from the architecture of the cathedrals that were being constructed at the time. The first Gothic cathedrals were erected in France and the trend was quickly borrowed by the likes of England and Spain. This spread was a testament to the influence of the French’s reign as the leading state of Europe.
Some of the most intriguing of Gothic construction and art was created in Italy, which was strangely independent of the movement that emanated from France.
The Italians actually coined the word “Gothic” which was a loose term to refer to the architecture of Northern Europe that they didn’t want being associated with their style.
The term was derived from the very prejudice of the Germanic style in which many believed was barbaric.
In Renaissance Europe, however, the term was used to refer to medieval buildings in general.
The cathedrals constructed during this period were ornate and full of features because they were used, along with sculpture and art, to depict biblical images and tell stories in lieu of books.
Features characteristic of the region include items embellished with ornamental wrought iron, “X-framed” chair backs and trestle tables, to name a few.
Don’t let rebellious teenagers dressing in oddly dark clothes and sharp, metal accessories skew your perception of what Gothic means. It was a beautiful period in history that still amazes and intrigues to this very day.