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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 It superceded Romanesque architecture, and preceded the Renaissance.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.

The third and last of the pointed or Gothic styles, also called the Florid style.

Perpendicular Style

The third and last of the pointed or Gothic styles, also called the Florid style.

Pier cap and arch moldings from Chartres Cathedral, France.

Pier Cap

Pier cap and arch moldings from Chartres Cathedral, France.

Clustered Gothic pier with an elaborate foliated capital.

Clustered Pier

Clustered Gothic pier with an elaborate foliated capital.

Half-plan and elevation of a clustered pier from Notre Dame, Paris.

Clustered Pier

Half-plan and elevation of a clustered pier from Notre Dame, Paris.

French pier-arch molding from Chartres.

Pier-arch Molding

French pier-arch molding from Chartres.

French pier-arch molding from LeMans.

Pier-arch Molding

French pier-arch molding from LeMans.

French pier-arch molding from St. Maclou.

Pier-arch Molding

French pier-arch molding from St. Maclou.

"Clustered pillar from the nave of Wells Cathedral." —D'Anvers, 1895

Clustered pillar

"Clustered pillar from the nave of Wells Cathedral." —D'Anvers, 1895

A small spire used to ornament Gothic buildings.

Pinnacle

A small spire used to ornament Gothic buildings.

A small spire used to ornament Gothic buildings.

Pinnacle

A small spire used to ornament Gothic buildings.

This is a plan of the Cathedral at Tournai, Belgium. It is an example of Netherlands Gothic architecture. The construction lasted from 1146 to 1325. "In the 13th century [Belgium and Holland] came under the influence of the great Gothic movement in France, and two or three of their cathedrals compare [favorably] with the French cathedrals. The finest example of earlier date is that of the cathedral of Tournai, the nave of which was built in the second half of the 11th century, to which a transept with north and south apses and aisles round them was added about the middle of the 12th century. These latter features are contemporaneous with similar examples at Cologne, and the idea of the plan may have been taken from them; externally, however, they differ so widely that the design may be looked upon as an original conception, though the nave arcades, triforium storey, and clerestory resemble the contemporaneous work in Normandy. The original choir was pulled down in the 14h century, and a magnificent chevet of the French type erected in its place. The grouping of the towers which flank the transept, with the central lantern, the apses, and lofty choir is extremely fine."

Plan of Cathedral at Tournai, 1146–1325

This is a plan of the Cathedral at Tournai, Belgium. It is an example of Netherlands Gothic architecture.…

This is a plan of the Durham Cathedral, England. It is an example of English Gothic architecture. Building began in 1093 and was finished in approximately 40 years. "The square eastern termination, the less ambitious height, and the comparatively simple buttress–system, combine to give the English Gothic cathedral an air of greater repose than is found in the magnificent triumphs of French Gothic art." The scale is in feet.

Plan of Durham Cathedral, 1093–1133

This is a plan of the Durham Cathedral, England. It is an example of English Gothic architecture. Building…

This is a plan of the Salisbury Cathedral, England. It is an example of English Gothic architecture. The scale is in feet. "The square eastern termination, the less ambitious height, and the comparatively simple buttress–system, combine to give the English Gothic cathedral an air of great repose than is found in the magnificent triumphs of French Gothic art." The grouping "of 'lancet' windows, the piercing of the wall above them with the foiled circles, and the combination of the whole under an enclosed arch, soon led to the introduction of tracery, for which the design of earlier triforium arcades had also afforded a suggestion."

Plan of Salisbury Cathedral, 1075–1092

This is a plan of the Salisbury Cathedral, England. It is an example of English Gothic architecture.…

With the growth in size of the windows and the progressive suppression of the lateral walls of vaulted structures, stained glass came more and more generally into use. It stimulated the increase in the size of windows, and the suppression of the walls, and contributed greatly to the development of <em>tracery</em>. Its evolution can be traced from the simple coupling of twin windows under a single hood-mould or discharging arch (shown here), to the florid network of the fifteenth century.

Plate Tracery, Charlton-on-Oxmore

With the growth in size of the windows and the progressive suppression of the lateral walls of vaulted…

The Cathedral of Rheims is also known as Notre-Dame de Rheims in French. It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral, located in Rheim, France. It was the site of where the Kings of France were once crowned. The Cathedral was completed during the end of the 13th century.

Cathedral of Rheims

The Cathedral of Rheims is also known as Notre-Dame de Rheims in French. It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral,…

"A Rose Window is a circular window, divided into compartments by mullions and tracery radiating from a center, also called Catharine wheel and marigold window according to modifications of the design. It forms a fine feature of the church architecture of the 13th and 14th centuries."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Rose Window

"A Rose Window is a circular window, divided into compartments by mullions and tracery radiating from…

A Rose window (or Catherine window) is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery. The name "rose window" was not used before the 17th century and according to the Oxford English Dictionary, among other authorities, comes from the English flower name rose.

Rose Window, Church of St. Ouen, Rouen

A Rose window (or Catherine window) is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but…

In Gothic architecture, a lantern tower is frequently placed over the center of cross churches, and the light admitted by windows in the sides. This illustration shows the lantern tower at St. Ouen in Rouen, France

Lantern Tower at St. Ouen; Rouen, France

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

La Sainte-Chapelle (English: The Holy Chapel) is a Gothic chapel on the &Icirc;le de la Cit&eacute; in the heart of Paris, France. It is perhaps the high point of the full tide of the rayonnante period of Gothic architecture.

Plan of Sainte Chapelle, Paris

La Sainte-Chapelle (English: The Holy Chapel) is a Gothic chapel on the Île de la Cité…

"...the triangular space comprehended between the outer curve or extrados of an arch, a horizontal line drawn through its apex, and a vertical line through its springing; also, the wall-space between the outer moldings of two arches and a horizontal line or string-course above them, or between these outer moldings and the intrados of another arch rising above and inclosing the two. In medieval architecture the spandrels are often ornamented with tracery, sculptured foliage, and the like." —Whitney, 1889 <p>Illustration of a spandrel from the cloisters at Mont Saint-Michel in France.

Sculptured Spandrel from Mont Saint-Michel

"...the triangular space comprehended between the outer curve or extrados of an arch, a horizontal line…

Illustration of a spire of the Senlis Cathedral in France, early 13th century. It is "one of the earliest of fully developed spires, and is admired for the purity and elegance of its design." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spire from the Senlis Cathedral

Illustration of a spire of the Senlis Cathedral in France, early 13th century. It is "one of the earliest…

St Asaph Cathedral, (Welsh: Eglwys Gadeiriol Llanelwy) at St Asaph, Denbighshire, north Wales, is sometimes claimed to be the smallest Anglican cathedral in Britain.

St. Asaph Cathedral

St Asaph Cathedral, (Welsh: Eglwys Gadeiriol Llanelwy) at St Asaph, Denbighshire, north Wales, is sometimes…

"St. Etienne, Caen." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

St. Etienne

"St. Etienne, Caen." —D'Anvers, 1895

"St. Martins-in-the-fields." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

St. Martins-in-the-fields

"St. Martins-in-the-fields." —D'Anvers, 1895

St Pancras Old Church is a Church of England parish church on Pancras Road in North London. It is believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in London and in England.

St. Pancras Church Ruins, Canterbury

St Pancras Old Church is a Church of England parish church on Pancras Road in North London. It is believed…

"St. Saturnin at Toulouse." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

St. Saturnin

"St. Saturnin at Toulouse." —D'Anvers, 1895

"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 the imposing church of St. Sernin at Toulouse, in Provence. The thrust of these ponderous vaults was clumsily resisted by half-barrel vaults over the side aisles, transmitting the strain to massive side-walls."

Plan of St. Sernin, Toulouse

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

The cathedral of Strasbourg is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Strasbourg, France. The church was erected by the bishop St. Argobast of the Strasbourg Diocese during the end of the 7th century. It is designed in a Gothic style with some parts in a Romanesque style. Today the church is the 6th tallest church in the world.

Cathedral of Strasbourg

The cathedral of Strasbourg is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Strasbourg, France. The church…

A reconstructed street corner scene of a house and store during the fourteenth century located in Perigueux and Warwick.

Gothic Street Corner

A reconstructed street corner scene of a house and store during the fourteenth century located in Perigueux…

An illustration a typical street during the fourteenth century. The house in the back have Gothic tracery in the windows and arched doors common during the period. On the left side, the horses are carrying a horse litter for transporting goods.

Fourteenth Century City Street

An illustration a typical street during the fourteenth century. The house in the back have Gothic tracery…

Plate tracery from Etton Church.

Tracery

Plate tracery from Etton Church.

Bar tracery from Meopham Church.

Tracery

Bar tracery from Meopham Church.

Bar tracery from Northfleet.

Tracery

Bar tracery from Northfleet.

Detail from King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

Tracery

Detail from King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

Perpendicular wall tracery.

Tracery

Perpendicular wall tracery.

Plate tracery from Carlisle Cathedral, England.

Tracery

Plate tracery from Carlisle Cathedral, England.

Geometric tracery from Rippington Churrch, England.

Tracery

Geometric tracery from Rippington Churrch, England.

Geometric tracery from the chapter house of York Cathedral, England.

Tracery

Geometric tracery from the chapter house of York Cathedral, England.

Curvilinear tracery from St. Michael's, Warfield, England.

Tracery

Curvilinear tracery from St. Michael's, Warfield, England.

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

Tracery

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

Tracery

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

Tracery

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

Tracery

Tracery is the intersection in various forms of the mullions in the head of a window or screen.

"Tracery of later date." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Tracery

"Tracery of later date." —D'Anvers, 1895

Tracery (stone support design) of the transept rose window from Westminster Abbey, England.

Tracery

Tracery (stone support design) of the transept rose window from Westminster Abbey, England.

The tracery on the windows of La Sainte-Chapelle, in Paris, France shows foliations: a leaf pattern common in Gothic architecture. "Foliations in Tracery. Sainte Chapelle, Paris, A. D. 1240." -Whitney, 1911

Tracery Foliations

The tracery on the windows of La Sainte-Chapelle, in Paris, France shows foliations: a leaf pattern…

"Flamboyant Tracery, Rouen Cathedral, Normandy" showing the intersecting ribs of tracery in windows of Gothic architecture. -Whitney, 1911

Tracery of Rouen Cathedral

"Flamboyant Tracery, Rouen Cathedral, Normandy" showing the intersecting ribs of tracery in windows…

The window tracery from St. Margaret's Chapel, Herts from fourteenth century. The tracery is fitted with stained windows containing images from the bible or church history.

Gothic Architecture St. Margaret's Chapel Tracery

The window tracery from St. Margaret's Chapel, Herts from fourteenth century. The tracery is fitted…

A Gothic architectural window tracery commonly used during the fourteenth century. These windows were made out of stone, and usually had stained glasses.

Large Gothic Window Tracery

A Gothic architectural window tracery commonly used during the fourteenth century. These windows were…

A Gothic tracery window made of stone, and commonly found in Gothic architecture during the fourteenth century.

Small Gothic Window Tracery

A Gothic tracery window made of stone, and commonly found in Gothic architecture during the fourteenth…

Detail from the transept of Notre Dame, Paris.

Transept Carving

Detail from the transept of Notre Dame, Paris.

Architecture of Cathredals in England. Two bays of Nave, interior at Winchester Cathedral, Perpendicular Style.

Two Bays

Architecture of Cathredals in England. Two bays of Nave, interior at Winchester Cathedral, Perpendicular…

French carved vault boss.

Carved Vault Boss

French carved vault boss.

A ceiling vault divided into four parts.

Quadripartite Vault

A ceiling vault divided into four parts.

Vaulting from apsidal chapel, Beauvais.

Vaulting

Vaulting from apsidal chapel, Beauvais.

The Nave of Bourges Cathedral in France showing the sexpartite vaulting, divided into six parts.

Sexpartite Vaulting

The Nave of Bourges Cathedral in France showing the sexpartite vaulting, divided into six parts.

A: Penetrations by small semi-circular vaults sprung from same level. B: Intersection by small semicircular vault sprung from higher level; groins form wavy line. C: Intersection by narrow pointed vault sprung from same level; groins are plane curves.

Vaults, Penetrations and Intersections

A: Penetrations by small semi-circular vaults sprung from same level. B: Intersection by small semicircular…

Examples of Gothic architecture in Venice, Italy: St. Mark's and the Doge's palace.

Venice Architecture

Examples of Gothic architecture in Venice, Italy: St. Mark's and the Doge's palace.

Wall traceries from the transept of Meaux Cathedral.

Wall Traceries

Wall traceries from the transept of Meaux Cathedral.

"Plan of Wells Cathedral. A, Apse or apsis. B, Altar, altar-platform, and altar-steps. D E, Eastern or lesser transept. F G, Western or greater transept. H, Central towers. I J, Western towers. K, North porch. L, Library or register. M, Principal or western doorway. N N, Western side doors. O, Cloister yard or garth. P Q, North and south aisles of choir. R S, East and west aisles of transept. T U, North and south aisles of nave. R R, Chapels. V, Rood screen or organ loft. W, Altar of Lazy chapel." &mdash; Winston's Encyclopedia, 1919

Wells Cathedral

"Plan of Wells Cathedral. A, Apse or apsis. B, Altar, altar-platform, and altar-steps. D E, Eastern…