Gothic Architecture | ClipArt ETC

This ClipArt gallery offers 254 examples of gothic architecture, from full churches and buildings to structural details. Gothic architecture is defined as the archiecture noted from the 12th to 16th century, originating in France. It superceded Romanesque architecture, and preceded the Renaissance. See also the Gothic Ornament ClipArt gallery.

An illustration of a Gothic capitals from from Amiens Cathedral. In several traditions of architecture including Classical architecture, the capital (from the Latin caput, 'head') forms the crowning member of a column or a pilaster. The capital projects on each side as it rises, in order to support the abacus and unite the form of the latter (normally square) with the circular shaft of the column.

Gothic Capitals

An illustration of a Gothic capitals from from Amiens Cathedral. In several traditions of architecture…

"A Castle is a building constructed for the purpose of repelling attack. The castella left by the Romans were constructed on the general model of their stationary encampments, and though they may have suggested the castles of the Middle Ages, they differed from them in being designed for military purposes only, and not as places of permanent residence."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Castle

"A Castle is a building constructed for the purpose of repelling attack. The castella left by the Romans…

A cathedral with pointed towers.

Cathedral

A cathedral with pointed towers.

Norwich Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Norwich in Norfolk, England dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity.

The Cathedral of East Anglia (Norwich)

Norwich Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Norwich in Norfolk, England dedicated to the Holy…

The Ameins Cathedral viewed from the front.

Ameins Cathedral

The Ameins Cathedral viewed from the front.

The Canterbury Cathedral viewe from the front.

Canterbury Cathedral

The Canterbury Cathedral viewe from the front.

The Chartres cathedral viewed from the front.

Chartres Cathedral

The Chartres cathedral viewed from the front.

The Cologne Cathedral viewed from the front.

Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral viewed from the front.

The Lincoln Cathedral in England is an example of early English Gothic architecture during medieval times.

Lincoln Cathedral

The Lincoln Cathedral in England is an example of early English Gothic architecture during medieval…

The Metz Cathedral is also known as the St. Etienne de Metz in French. It is a Roman Catholic church located in Moselle, France. The interior nave shown in this picture, is the center aisle that leads to the altar, it is the third highest in France.

Metz Cathedral

The Metz Cathedral is also known as the St. Etienne de Metz in French. It is a Roman Catholic church…

View of the Reims Cathedral from the front.

Reims Cathedral

View of the Reims Cathedral from the front.

Strasburg Cathedral

The Srasburg Cathedral viewed from the front.

An ornamental window of a circular form, with rosettes, or radiating divisions, of different colors.

Catherine Wheel

An ornamental window of a circular form, with rosettes, or radiating divisions, of different colors.

A section of an arch with sunk chamfer commonly found in Gothic architecture during the fourteenth century. A chamfer is a hollowed out area of the arch to create an ornamental design.

Gothic Architecture Arch Moulding Sunk Chamfer

A section of an arch with sunk chamfer commonly found in Gothic architecture during the fourteenth century.…

Choir Chapel, 14th century. Cathedral of Mantes, France.

Chapel

Choir Chapel, 14th century. Cathedral of Mantes, France.

The Sainte Chapelle viewed from the front.

Sainte Chapelle

The Sainte Chapelle viewed from the front.

"The Chapter-House, Salisbury Cathedral." —D'Anvers, 1895

Chapter-house

"The Chapter-House, Salisbury Cathedral." —D'Anvers, 1895

The cathedral of Chartres is a roman catholic cathedral in Chartres, France. Built in a Gothic style, the Cathedral has two different spires.

Cathedral of Chartres

The cathedral of Chartres is a roman catholic cathedral in Chartres, France. Built in a Gothic style,…

Choir

"Choir of Worcester Cathedral" —D'Anvers, 1895

Cinquefoil, a Gothic ornament found in stone decorations of windows or panels.

Cinquefoil

Cinquefoil, a Gothic ornament found in stone decorations of windows or panels.

An illustration of a city gate in York during the fourteenth century illustrating Gothic architecture. The city gate was used to control access and exit of the city during the middle ages.

Gothic Architecture City Gate

An illustration of a city gate in York during the fourteenth century illustrating Gothic architecture.…

The "clearstory window of St. Leu d'Esserent, France" showing a sexfoil window, of six petals. -Whitney, 1911

Clerestory

The "clearstory window of St. Leu d'Esserent, France" showing a sexfoil window, of six petals. -Whitney,…

A clergy house in Alfriston, England illustrating typical Gothic architecture during the fourteenth century. The house was used by a parish priest during the fourteenth to nineteenth century.

Gothic Architecture Alfriston Clergy House

A clergy house in Alfriston, England illustrating typical Gothic architecture during the fourteenth…

This illustration shows a Clermont Gargoyle in France. Gargoyles, in Gothic architecture, are spouts projecting from the gutters of a building which carry the rain-water clear of the walls. Gargoyles are usually carved into different forms (animal, human, demonic, grotesque) and serve as a distinguishing feature of ecclesiastical architecture.

Clermont Gargoyle

This illustration shows a Clermont Gargoyle in France. Gargoyles, in Gothic architecture, are spouts…

This illustration shows one fragment of a French cloister built in the Middle Ages. The architecture is Gothic, with pointed arches and vaulted ceilings, Two monks huddle in the passageway. This cloister looks very similar to the cloister at Mont Saint Michel Abbey, though it is not labeled as such.

A Cloister at a French Monastery from the Middle Ages

This illustration shows one fragment of a French cloister built in the Middle Ages. The architecture…

"This edifice was begun in the eleventh century, but was not finished until our own day (1880). It is one of the most imposing monuments of Gothic architecture in the world."—Myers, 1905

The Cologne Cathedral

"This edifice was begun in the eleventh century, but was not finished until our own day (1880). It is…

Illustration of the southern side of the Cathedral of Cologne. Construction on the cathedral was begun in 1248 and it was meant to be a place to hold the reliquary of the Three Kings. The cathedral was not completed until the 19th century. Its Gothic architecture is based largely on the Amiens Cathedral. From the view, the cathedral's enormous Germanic spires are visible.

A Southern View of the Cathedral of Cologne in Germany

Illustration of the southern side of the Cathedral of Cologne. Construction on the cathedral was begun…

Gothic Architecture Ornaments Column Base

The base of the column illustrating the Gothic ornamentation during the fourteenth century. The bottom…

An illustration of Gothic architectural decoration of the column. The column illustrated shows how the capital, or top, and base were decorated with series of circles ranging in size.

Gothic Architecture Column

An illustration of Gothic architectural decoration of the column. The column illustrated shows how the…

Sections of Gothic Columns.

Columns, Gothic

Sections of Gothic Columns.

Constructive system of a Gothic church illustrating the principles of isolated supports and buttressing.

Constructive System of a Gothic Church

Constructive system of a Gothic church illustrating the principles of isolated supports and buttressing.

Cornice molding from Notre Dame, Paris.

Cornice Molding

Cornice molding from Notre Dame, Paris.

A young couple standing in near the ornate pulpit of a gothic church.

Young Couple

A young couple standing in near the ornate pulpit of a gothic church.

An illustration of fourteenth century architecture, dress, and musical instruments at Nursted Court, Kent. The nobles and the rich ore on the left talking, while the musicians and the juggler on the right are entertaining the nobles. The musicians are playing kettle drum, shawm, Portative (hand organ), vielle, and a harp.

Musician and Nobles in Nursted Court

An illustration of fourteenth century architecture, dress, and musical instruments at Nursted Court,…

Crestings decorate the ridges of most Gothic roofs, on which the covering was usually of lead, copper, or slate.

Cresting

Crestings decorate the ridges of most Gothic roofs, on which the covering was usually of lead, copper,…

Cresting ornament from Arundel Church in the Perpendicular style.

Cresting

Cresting ornament from Arundel Church in the Perpendicular style.

Early French Gothic crocket.

Crocket

Early French Gothic crocket.

Flamboyant French Gothic crocket.

Crocket

Flamboyant French Gothic crocket.

Crocket from Wells Cathedral

Crocket

Crocket from Wells Cathedral

Crocket from St. Urbain, Troyes.

Crocket

Crocket from St. Urbain, Troyes.

Decorated crocket.

Crocket

Decorated crocket.

Soffit cusps.

Cusps

Soffit cusps.

Chamfer cusps.

Cusps

Chamfer cusps.

Filleted cusps.

Cusps

Filleted cusps.

A piscina or sacrarium is a shallow basin placed near the altar of a church, used for washing the communion vessels. They are often made of stone and fitted with a drain, and are in some cases used to dispose of materials used in the sacraments. They are found in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, and a similar vessel is used in Eastern Orthodox churches.

Decorated Arch and Piscina

A piscina or sacrarium is a shallow basin placed near the altar of a church, used for washing the communion…

The most significant and characteristic development of the Early English period was the pointed arch known as the lancet. Pointed arches were used almost universally, not only in arches of wide span such as those of the nave arcade, but also for doorways and lancet windows.

Decorated Doorway

The most significant and characteristic development of the Early English period was the pointed arch…

Gothic Architecture Decoration

A Gothic architectural ornamentation commonly found during the fourteenth century. The crocket was a…

An image of an ornate door, possibly to a Gothic style church.

Ornate Gothic Door

An image of an ornate door, possibly to a Gothic style church.

A Perpendicular style doorway and door paneling.

Doorway

A Perpendicular style doorway and door paneling.

A doorway to a watch tower at Lincoln Castle during the fourteenth century. Guards usually observe the surrounding area in watch towers for threats.

Gothic Watch Tower Doorway

A doorway to a watch tower at Lincoln Castle during the fourteenth century. Guards usually observe the…

The most significant and characteristic development of the Early English period was the pointed arch known as the lancet. Pointed arches were used almost universally, not only in arches of wide span such as those of the nave arcade, but also for doorways and lancet windows.

Early English Door

The most significant and characteristic development of the Early English period was the pointed arch…

The facade of a large church or cathedral, often referred to as the West Front, is generally designed to create a powerful impression on the approaching worshipper, demonstrating both the might of God, and the might of the institution that it represents. Central to the facade is the main portal, often flanked by additional doors. There may be much other carving, often of figures in niches set into the mouldings around the portals, or in sculptural screens extending across the facade. Both internally and externally, the stonework is often richly decorated with carvings, particularly the capitals.

Early Gothic Carving

The facade of a large church or cathedral, often referred to as the West Front, is generally designed…

The Elisabeth Church in Marburg was built by the Order of the Teutonic Knights in honor of Elisabeth of Hungary. Her tomb made the church an important pilgrimage destination in the late Middle Ages. The building is now a Protestant church.

Section of Elisabeth Church, Marburg, Germany

The Elisabeth Church in Marburg was built by the Order of the Teutonic Knights in honor of Elisabeth…

The cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral in England show an early example of fan-tracery, patterns carved on a vault.

Fan-Tracery of Cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral

The cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral in England show an early example of fan-tracery, patterns carved…

A Fin'ial is an ornament, generally carved to resemble foliage, which forms the termination of pinnacles, gables, spires, and other portions of Gothic architecture. This image shows an example of a fin'ial.

Fin'ial

A Fin'ial is an ornament, generally carved to resemble foliage, which forms the termination of pinnacles,…

A Fin'ial is an ornament (generally carved to resemble foliage) which forms the termination of pinnacles, gables, spires, and other portions of Gothic architecture. This image shows an example of a fin'ial.

Fin'ial

A Fin'ial is an ornament (generally carved to resemble foliage) which forms the termination of pinnacles,…

Decorated finial.

Finial

Decorated finial.

The early gothic finial is a three dimensional cross made out of stone. It serves to decorate Spires, Pinnacles and tombs.

Early Gothic Finial

The early gothic finial is a three dimensional cross made out of stone. It serves to decorate Spires,…

This early gothic finial is a 13th century three dimensional cross. Made out of stone, it decorates the top of a cathedral found in Chatres, a town in north-central France.

Early Gothic Finial

This early gothic finial is a 13th century three dimensional cross. Made out of stone, it decorates…

The french gothic finial is a three dimensional cross, made out of stone. It serves to decorate Spires, Pinnacles and tombs.

French Gothic Finial

The french gothic finial is a three dimensional cross, made out of stone. It serves to decorate Spires,…