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 It superceded Romanesque architecture, and preceded the Renaissance.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 architectural decoration of the finial commonly found in Gothic architecture. The finial was used to decorate poles on the building and flag poles.

Gothic Architecture Finial

An architectural decoration of the finial commonly found in Gothic architecture. The finial was used…

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

Modern Gothic Finial

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

This tracery shows the flamboyant style of Gothic architecture which was popular in France from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries.

Flamboyant Tracery

This tracery shows the flamboyant style of Gothic architecture which was popular in France from the…

The Tudor flower.

Flower

The Tudor flower.

Flying arches from Sta. Barbara, Kuttenberg, Germany.

Flying Arches

Flying arches from Sta. Barbara, Kuttenberg, Germany.

The flying buttresses of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

Flying Buttresses

The flying buttresses of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

This architectural sculpted foliage shows the gothic style of Notre Dame de Paris. "Medieval Conventionalized Foliage, Notre Dame, Paris; end of 13th century." -Whitney, 1911

Medieval Conventionalized Foliage

This architectural sculpted foliage shows the gothic style of Notre Dame de Paris. "Medieval Conventionalized…

Decorative gable over a window, Cologne.

Gable

Decorative gable over a window, Cologne.

Decorative gable from Cologne Cathedral, Germany. Midddle period tracery.

Decorative Gable

Decorative gable from Cologne Cathedral, Germany. Midddle period tracery.

"Gable of the South Transept Door of Notre Dame, Paris; 13th century." -Whitney, 1911

Gable at Notre Dame de Paris

"Gable of the South Transept Door of Notre Dame, Paris; 13th century." -Whitney, 1911

"Galleries of the west front of the Cathedral of Amiens, 13th century, illustrating treatment of galleries as a decorative feature." -Whitney, 1911

Galleries of Cathedral of Amiens

"Galleries of the west front of the Cathedral of Amiens, 13th century, illustrating treatment of galleries…

Used for throwing water from the gutters ofa building, usually a grotesque monster or animal.

Gargoyle

Used for throwing water from the gutters ofa building, usually a grotesque monster or animal.

A gargoyle on the 13th century cathedral, La Sainte-Chapel in Paris, France, an example of Gothic architecture.

Gothic Gargoyle

A gargoyle on the 13th century cathedral, La Sainte-Chapel in Paris, France, an example of Gothic architecture.

Gargoyles on Notre Dame in Paris, France.

Gargoyles

Gargoyles on Notre Dame in Paris, France.

The cathedral consists of a Norman nucleus (Walter de Lacy is buried there), with additions in every style of Gothic architecture. It is 420 feet (130 m) long, and 144 feet (44 m) wide, with a beautiful central tower of the 15th century rising to the height of 225 ft (69 m). and topped by four graceful pinnacles, a famous landmark.

Gloucester Cathedral (Abbey) Church

The cathedral consists of a Norman nucleus (Walter de Lacy is buried there), with additions in every…

"Gothic Altar. An Altar is an erection made for the offering of sacrifices for memorial purposes, or for some other object. An altar designed for sacrifice is mentioned in Scripture as early as the time of Noah."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Gothic Altar

"Gothic Altar. An Altar is an erection made for the offering of sacrifices for memorial purposes, or…

Salisbury Cathedral, an example of Gothic archcitecture.

Gothic Architecture - Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral, an example of Gothic archcitecture.

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

Gothic Cinquefoil

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

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery.

Gothic tracery

Gothic tracery.

Lantern Tower at Grey Friars, King's lynn

In Gothic architecture, a lantern tower is frequently placed over the center of cross churches, and…

"Medieval Groins in early 12th century vaulting. A, A, groins. GROIN. In architecture, the curved intersection or arris of simple vaults crossing each other at any angle." -Whitney, 1911

Groin Vault

"Medieval Groins in early 12th century vaulting. A, A, groins. GROIN. In architecture, the curved intersection…

A groin vault or groined vault (also sometimes known as a double barrel vault or cross vault) is produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults. The word groin refers to the edge between the intersecting vaults; cf. ribbed vault. Sometimes the arches of groin vaults are pointed instead of round. In comparison with a barrel vault, a groin vault provides good economies of material and labour. The thrust is concentrated along the groins or arrises (the four diagonal edges formed along the points where the barrel vaults intersect), so the vault need only be abutted at its four corners.

Groined Vault with Zig-Zag Ridge-Joints

A groin vault or groined vault (also sometimes known as a double barrel vault or cross vault) is produced…

An illustration of the hall in Alfriston Clergy House. The hall illustrates typical architectural support of the house typical during the fourteenth century.

Gothic Architecture Alfriston Clergy House Hall

An illustration of the hall in Alfriston Clergy House. The hall illustrates typical architectural support…

"Church at Hitterdal, Norway." —D'Anvers, 1895

Church at Hitterdal

"Church at Hitterdal, Norway." —D'Anvers, 1895

Northampton St. John's Hospital

The middle window is the tracery found on the St. John's Hospital, Northampton. The two faces on the…

The same gothic principles controlled the designing of houses, farm buildings, barns, granaries, and the like. The finest palaces are well represented by the Ducal Palace at Nancy (1476), the Hotel de Cluny at Paris (1485), and the Hotel Jacques at Bourges. These palaces are elaborately planned, with large halls, many staircases, and handsome courts; they are also extremely picturesque with their square and circular towers, slender turrets, elaborate dormers, and rich carved detail.

Hotel Jacques Coeur, Bourges

The same gothic principles controlled the designing of houses, farm buildings, barns, granaries, and…

A close up view of a fourteenth century gabled house in Weobly, Herefordshire. The gabled house illustrates Gothic traceries in the windows and ornamentation moulds along the roof.

Fourteenth Century Gabled House

A close up view of a fourteenth century gabled house in Weobly, Herefordshire. The gabled house illustrates…

Jacques Coeur's House in Bourges.

Jacques Coeur's House

Jacques Coeur's House in Bourges.

The present parish church of St. Peter's at Wearmouth, on the north bank of the River Wear, occupies the ancient priory church building and is one of the oldest churches in Great Britain. The tower dates from Norman times, and doubtless formed part of the building as restored after the Conquest.

Jarrow Church Tower

The present parish church of St. Peter's at Wearmouth, on the north bank of the River Wear, occupies…

"Two-light lancet." —D'Anvers, 1895

Two-light lancet

"Two-light lancet." —D'Anvers, 1895

Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. The stone is sandstone and came from a quarry on the south side of Lichfield. The walls of the nave lean outwards slightly, due to the weight of stone used in the ceiling vaulting, some 200–300 tons of which was removed during renovation work to prevent the walls leaning further.

Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English…

Lincoln Cathedral

"Sectional compartment of the Nave of Lincoln Cathedral." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Sectional compartment of the Choir of Lincoln Cathedral." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Lincoln Cathedral

"Sectional compartment of the Choir of Lincoln Cathedral." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

The Lincoln Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln) is a geometric style Gothic cathedral in Canterbury, England.

Lincoln Cathedral

The Lincoln Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln) is a geometric style…

This illustration shows a Lincoln Gargoyle. Gargoyles (featured primarily in 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.

Lincoln Gargoyle

This illustration shows a Lincoln Gargoyle. Gargoyles (featured primarily in in Gothic architecture)…

Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Llandaff (of the Church in Wales), situated in the suburb of Llandaff in the city of Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

Llandaff Cathedral

Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Llandaff (of the Church in Wales), situated…

"This magnificent Gothic edifice dates from the fifteenth century."—Myers, 1905.

Town Hall of Louvain

"This magnificent Gothic edifice dates from the fifteenth century."—Myers, 1905.

Lyminge is a village in southeast Kent, England.

Lyminge Church

Lyminge is a village in southeast Kent, England.

Melrose Abbey is a Gothic-style abbey in Melrose, Scotland. It was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks, on the request of King David I of Scotland. In 1544, as English armies raged across Scotland and badly damaged the Abbey which was never fully repaired.

Melrose Abbey Ruins

Melrose Abbey is a Gothic-style abbey in Melrose, Scotland. It was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks,…

Ball Flower Moulding

Ball flower is a Gothic architectural ornamentation of inserting a flower cup into a ball.

A Gothic architecture arch moulding used during the fourteenth century. The mouldings were used to decorate the archs of the windows and doorways built in stone walls.

Gothic Architecture Arch Moulding

A Gothic architecture arch moulding used during the fourteenth century. The mouldings were used to decorate…

An example illustration of Gothic architectural ornamentation on arches during fourteenth century.

Gothic Architecture Ornaments Arch Moulding

An example illustration of Gothic architectural ornamentation on arches during fourteenth century.

A Gothic architectural ornamentation for wall mouldings. The illustrated moulding is commonly found on top edges of the wall.

Gothic Architecture Ornaments Wall Moulding

A Gothic architectural ornamentation for wall mouldings. The illustrated moulding is commonly found…

Illustration of a Gothic parapet moulding used during the fourteenth century. Parapets are exterior wall extension continuing above the wall to create a fire wall to reduce fire risks.

Gothic Architecture Parapet Moulding

Illustration of a Gothic parapet moulding used during the fourteenth century. Parapets are exterior…

Nave

"Nave of Wells Cathedral." —D'Anvers, 1895

The English treated woodwork with consummate skill. They invented and developed a variety of forms of roof-truss in which the proper distribution of the strains was combined with a highly decorative treatment of the several parts by carving, moulding, and arcading. The ceiling surfaces between the trusses were handled decoratively, and the oaken open-timber ceilings of many of the English churches and civic of academic halls are such noble and beautiful works as quite to justify the substitution of wooden for vaulted ceilings.

Roof of Nave, St. Mary's, Westonzoyland

The English treated woodwork with consummate skill. They invented and developed a variety of forms of…

The term Norman architecture is used to categorise styles of Romanesque architecture developed by the Normans in the various lands under their dominion or influence in the 11th and 12th centuries. They introduced large numbers of castles and fortifications including Norman keeps, and at the same time monasteries, abbeys, churches and cathedrals, in a style characterised by the usual Romanesque rounded arches (particularly over windows and doorways) and especially massive proportions compared to other regional variations of the style.

Norman Doorway

The term Norman architecture is used to categorise styles of Romanesque architecture developed by the…

Notre Dame viewed from the front.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame viewed from the front.

The chevet of Notre Dame viewed from the shore line.

Chevet of Notre Dame

The chevet of Notre Dame viewed from the shore line.

"It was in Central France, and mainly along the Loire, that the systematic development of vaulted church architecture began. Naves covered with barrel-vaults, sometimes of pointed section, appear in a number of large churches built during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, with apsidal and transeptal chapels and aisles carried around the apse, as in Notre-Dame du Port at Clermont-Ferrand. The thrust of these ponderous vaults was clumsily resisted by half-barrel vaults over the side aisles, transmitting the strain to massive side-walls."

Section of Notre-Dame du Port

"It was in Central France, and mainly along the Loire, that the systematic development of vaulted church…

Architecture of Cathredals in England. One bay of the "Angel Choir," interior, Lincoln Cathedral, Decorated Style.

One Bay

Architecture of Cathredals in England. One bay of the "Angel Choir," interior, Lincoln Cathedral, Decorated…

A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. A wimperg is a German and Dutch word for a Gothic ornamental gable with tracery over windows or portals, which were often accompanied with pinnacles. It was a typical element in Gothic Architecture especially in cathedral architecture. Wimpergs often had crockets or other decorative elements in the Gothic style. The intention behind the wimperg was the perception of increased height.

Openwork Gable, From Front of Rouen Cathedral

A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. A wimperg…

A Gothic diaper ornament during the fourteenth century. A diaper ornament is a carved or painted surface of square shapes containing flowers or simple figures.

Gothic Architecture Diaper Ornament

A Gothic diaper ornament during the fourteenth century. A diaper ornament is a carved or painted surface…

Facade of a Gothic palace in Venice, Italy.

Palace Facade

Facade of a Gothic palace in Venice, Italy.

"A temple built about 1000 A.D. It is unique because of its Gothic gablets and trefoil arches." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Temple, Pandrethan

"A temple built about 1000 A.D. It is unique because of its Gothic gablets and trefoil arches." —…

This illustration shows a Paris 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.

Paris Gargoyle

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

1
2
3
4
5