ClipArt ETC
"St. Etienne, Caen." —D'Anvers, 1895

St. Etienne

"St. Etienne, Caen." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Two-light lancet." —D'Anvers, 1895

Two-light lancet

"Two-light lancet." —D'Anvers, 1895

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

Tracery

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

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

Church at Hitterdal

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

"In architecture, this term, adhering originally to its etymological meaning, signified an ornament in the form of a baske, like those sometimes set on the heads of carvatides. In Gothic architecture, to which it is now almost peculiar, it is applied to any kind of ornamented projection used for supporting pillars or other superincumbent weights." — Chambers, 1881

Corbel

"In architecture, this term, adhering originally to its etymological meaning, signified an ornament…

"In architecture, this term, adhering originally to its etymological meaning, signified an ornament in the form of a baske, like those sometimes set on the heads of carvatides. In Gothic architecture, to which it is now almost peculiar, it is applied to any kind of ornamented projection used for supporting pillars or other superincumbent weights." — Chambers, 1881

Corbel

"In architecture, this term, adhering originally to its etymological meaning, signified an ornament…

"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." —…

"In Gothic Architecture, are projecting leaves, flowers, or bunches of foliage, used to decorate the angles of spires, canopies and pinnacles. The varieties of crockets are innumerable, almost every kind of leaf and flower being copied for the purpose." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Crockets

"In Gothic Architecture, are projecting leaves, flowers, or bunches of foliage, used to decorate the…

"In Gothic Architecture, are projecting leaves, flowers, or bunches of foliage, used to decorate the angles of spires, canopies and pinnacles. The varieties of crockets are innumerable, almost every kind of leaf and flower being copied for the purpose." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Crockets

"In Gothic Architecture, are projecting leaves, flowers, or bunches of foliage, used to decorate the…

A gothic cathedral located in Paris, France. Viewed from the southeast.

Notre Dame

A gothic cathedral located in Paris, France. Viewed from the southeast.

"Gothic Style of Armor. Monument of Count Otto IV of Henneberg." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Gothic Armor

"Gothic Style of Armor. Monument of Count Otto IV of Henneberg." — The Encyclopedia Britannica,…

This piece was an etching by Tintoretto. It was etched for a competition to paint on the ceiling of Sala dell' Albergo.

The Doge Pascale Ciconia

This piece was an etching by Tintoretto. It was etched for a competition to paint on the ceiling of…

This view of Florence shows the Duomo (cathedral) on the right and Giotto's Campanile (tower) on the left.

Florence

This view of Florence shows the Duomo (cathedral) on the right and Giotto's Campanile (tower) on the…

All Saints Cathedral at Albany.

All Saints Cathedral

All Saints Cathedral at Albany.

Illustration of gothic arch about equilateral triangle.

Gothic Arch

Illustration of gothic arch about equilateral triangle.

Leaves - simple; alternate; edge sharply and often doubly toothed. Outline - oval or egg-shaped, or inversely egg-shaped; always one-sided. Apex - taper-pointed. Base - rounded, or slightly heart-shaped, rarely pointed. Leaf/Stem - about one quarter inch long. Buds - smooth. Leaf - usually two to five inches long, and one and a half to two and a half wide; somewhat downy when young, afterward roughish below; above, either rough in one direction, or (especially if taken from the ends of the long branches) smooth and shining. Ribs - prominent and straight. Bark - of the branches not marked with "corky ridges"; branchlets, smooth. Seeds - flat egg-shaped or oval, winged and fringed all around. Last of May. Found - northward to Southern Newfoundland; southward to Florida; westward to the Black Hills of Dakota. Toward the western and southwestern limits it is found only in the river-bottom lands. General Information - One of the very noblest of American trees, eighty feet or more in height, and of strong and graceful proportions. The trunk divides at a slight angle into two or three arching limbs, and these again into many smaller curving and drooping branches. The trunk and the larger branches are often heavily fringed with short and leafy boughs. The tree is widely cultivated. Streets planted with it become columned and arched like the aisles of a Gothic cathedral. The wood is hard, and very tough from the interlacing of its fibers. It is used in making saddle-trees and for wheel-hubs, and is now largely exported to England to be used in boat- and ship-building. One day I found four men in a stone quarry, working with iron bars and rollers over a heavy flat slab. They were moving the stone slowly up a narrow plant into their cart. "John, " I said, "I would not think that board could hold a stone of such weight two minutes. Is it hickory?" "No sir, " said John, " that's an elm plank; it can't break." It did not break. It was one of the woods which the Deacon used in building his famous "one-hoss shay": So the deacon inquired of the village folk Where he could find the strongest oak, That count n't be split nor bent nor broke, - That was for spokes and floor and sills; He sent for lancewood to make the thills; The cross-bars were ash, from the straightest trees; The panels of whitewood, that cuts like cheese, But lasts like iron for thing like these; The hubs of logs from the Settler's Ellum; - Last of its timber, - they could n't sell 'em, Never an axe had seen their chips, And the wedges flew from between their lips, Their blunt ends frizzled like celery-tips;" --Oliver Wendell Holmes

Genus Ulmus, L. (Elm)

Leaves - simple; alternate; edge sharply and often doubly toothed. Outline - oval or egg-shaped, or…

The tower of Giralda is a mosque in Seville.

Giralda

The tower of Giralda is a mosque in Seville.

Gargoyles on Notre Dame in Paris, France.

Gargoyles

Gargoyles on Notre Dame in Paris, France.

The cross section of the Amiens Cathedral. (E) triforium, (F) clerestory.

Amiens Cathedral

The cross section of the Amiens Cathedral. (E) triforium, (F) clerestory.

The flying buttresses of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

Flying Buttresses

The flying buttresses of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

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.

In architecture, an opening or a panel dividing by cusps or foliations into four leaves, or more correctly the leaf-shaped figure formed by the cusps. It is an ornament which has been supposed to represents the four leaves of a cruciform flower, and is common in the tracery of Gothic windows.

Quatrefoil Architecture

In architecture, an opening or a panel dividing by cusps or foliations into four leaves, or more correctly…

The Gothic chest of the 15th century was carved out of chestnut wood and had iron mounts and handles.

Gothic Chest

The Gothic chest of the 15th century was carved out of chestnut wood and had iron mounts and handles.

The Gothic lectern of the 15th century had a base made out of wood and the slope was made out of wrought-iron. The eagle and ball was made out of gilt and the dragon was painted green.

Gothic Lectern

The Gothic lectern of the 15th century had a base made out of wood and the slope was made out of wrought-iron.…

The gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey, the great church in London, England.

Westminster Abbey

The gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey, the great church in London, England.

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…

"Germany's most beautiful cathedral, Cologne." -Foster, 1921

Cologne Cathedral

"Germany's most beautiful cathedral, Cologne." -Foster, 1921

In this chart of single stroke letters, the capitals are arranged in "family order," first the straight letters, then slant line and curved letters. Each letter is shown in a square, so that the proportion of its width to height may be easily learned. In this style many of the letters just about fill the square. The arrows and figures give the order and direction of strokes, which must be learned for each letter, Vertical strokes are all made downward and horizontal strokes from left to right.

Single Stroke Vertical Capitals

In this chart of single stroke letters, the capitals are arranged in "family order," first the straight…

Words lettered in lower case or "small" letters are easier to read than when made in capital letters. These letters are made with bodies two-thirds the height of the capitals, the ascenders (b, d, f, etc.) extending up to the cap line and the descenders (g, p, q, etc.) dropping the same distance below.

Single Stroke Vertical Lower Case Letters

Words lettered in lower case or "small" letters are easier to read than when made in capital letters.…

In this chart of single stroke letters, the capitals are arranged in "family order," first the straight letters, then slant line and curved letters. Each letter is shown in a square, so that the proportion of its width to height may be easily learned. In this style many of the letters just about fill the square. The arrows and figures give the order and direction of strokes, which must be learned for each letter, Vertical strokes are all made downward and horizontal strokes from left to right.

Single Stroke Inclined Capitals

In this chart of single stroke letters, the capitals are arranged in "family order," first the straight…

Words lettered in lower case or "small" letters are easier to read than when made in capital letters. These letters are made with bodies two-thirds the height of the capitals, the ascenders (b, d, f, etc.) extending up to the cap line and the descenders (g, p, q, etc.) dropping the same distance below.

Single Stroke Inclined Lower Case Letters

Words lettered in lower case or "small" letters are easier to read than when made in capital letters.…

York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is the second largest of its kind in Northern Europe. It is the seat of the Archbishop of York, and cathedral for the Diocese of York, and is run by a Dean and Chapter under the Dean of York. Its formal title is The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York.

West Front of York Minster

York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is the second largest of its kind in Northern…

Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe. Construction of the cathedral began in 1079 under bishop Walkelin, and on April 8, 1093, in the presence of nearly all the bishops and abbots of England.

Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the…

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,…

Trinity Episcopal Church is a historic church in Mobile, Alabama. It was the first large Gothic Revival church built in Alabama. The church was established in 1845 and was the second Episcopal congregation in Mobile. The cornerstone for the building was placed on April 8, 1853 and was completed in 1857.

Trinity Church

Trinity Episcopal Church is a historic church in Mobile, Alabama. It was the first large Gothic Revival…

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…

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture.

Transept of the Martyrdom at Canterbury Cathedral

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque…

Old St. Paul's is a name used to refer to the Gothic cathedral in the City of London built between 1087 and 1314. At its peak, the cathedral was the third longest church in Europe and had one of the tallest spires. The cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666, and the current domed St. Paul's Cathedral — in an English Baroque style — was subsequently erected on the site by Sir Christopher Wren.

Chapter House of Old St. Paul's

Old St. Paul's is a name used to refer to the Gothic cathedral in the City of London built between 1087…

The stone Abbey was built around 1045–1050 by King Edward the Confessor, who had selected the site for his burial: it was consecrated on December 28, 1065, only a week before the Confessor's death and subsequent funeral. The attached Chapter House was built under King Henry III between 1245 and 1253. This octagonal room was built in the Geometric gothic style. A pier of eight shafts carries the vaulted ceiling. To the sides are blind arcading, remains of 14th-century paintings and numerous stone benches above which are innovatory large 4-light quatre-foiled windows. originally used by the monks for their daily meetings, it later became a meeting place of the King's Great Council and the Commons.

Chapter House, Westminster Abbey

The stone Abbey was built around 1045–1050 by King Edward the Confessor, who had selected the site…

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England. Founded in the 7th century, reorganized in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries, it is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the West Country.

Bath Abbey (Cathedral) Church

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and…

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…

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 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…

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…

Founded in the Saxon period, the architecture is mainly Norman following a rebuilding in the 12th century. With Durham and Ely Cathedrals, it is one of the most important 12th century buildings in England to have remained largely intact, despite extensions and restoration. Peterborough Cathedral is known for its imposing Early English Gothic West Front (facade) which, with its three enormous arches, is without architectural precedent and with no direct successor.

Peterborough Cathedral

Founded in the Saxon period, the architecture is mainly Norman following a rebuilding in the 12th century.…

It is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. It has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years, but a cathedral only since 1905. Henry Cardinal Beaufort repaired the church after a 1212 fire. The main structure of the present church was built between 1220 and 1420, making it the first Gothic church in London. Heresy trials occurred in the Galilee chapel in 1555, under Mary I of England.

Choir of St. Saviour's, Southwark

It is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. It has been a place of Christian worship…

Old St. Paul's is a name used to refer to the Gothic cathedral in the City of London built between 1087 and 1314. At its peak, the cathedral was the third longest church in Europe and had one of the tallest spires. Old St Paul's was completely gutted in the Great Fire of London of 1666, which destroyed the roof and much of the stonework. Temporary repairs were made to the building, but while it might have been salvageable, albeit with almost complete reconstruction, a decision was taken to build a new cathedral in a modern style instead, a step which had been contemplated even before the fire.

Old St. Paul's Cathedral

Old St. Paul's is a name used to refer to the Gothic cathedral in the City of London built between 1087…

The New Law Courts, London. The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is the building in London which houses the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. The building is a large grey stone edifice in the Victorian Gothic style and was designed by George Edmund Street, a solicitor turned architect. It was built in the 1870s. The Royal Courts of Justice were opened by Queen Victoria in December 1882.

Royal Courts of Justice

The New Law Courts, London. The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is the building…

Manchester Cathedral is a Medieval church located on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. Although constructed over a period of 600 years, its main architectural style is Perpendicular Gothic, replete with tall windows and flat fan-vaulted ceilings. The interior of the church contains many pieces of period art, notably the medieval woodcarvings of the Ripon Carvers.

Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral is a Medieval church located on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the…

Trinity Church, at 79 Broadway in New York City, is a historic full service parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Trinity Church is located at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. n 1696, Governor Benjamin Fletcher approved the purchase of land in Lower Manhattan by the Church of England community for construction of a new church. The parish received its charter from King William III of England on May 6, 1697. Its land grant specified an annual rent of one peppercorn due to the English crown. The present day Trinity Church, designed by architect Richard Upjohn, is considered a classic example of Gothic Revival architecture and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 for its architectural significance and place within the history of New York City.

Trinity Church

Trinity Church, at 79 Broadway in New York City, is a historic full service parish church in the Episcopal…

A crocket is a hook-shaped decorative element common in Gothic architecture. It is in the form of a stylised carving of curled leaves, buds or flowers which is used at regular intervals to decorate the sloping edges of spires, finials, pinnacles, and wimpergs.

Crocket

A crocket is a hook-shaped decorative element common in Gothic architecture. It is in the form of a…

A crocket is a hook-shaped decorative element common in Gothic architecture. It is in the form of a stylised carving of curled leaves, buds or flowers which is used at regular intervals to decorate the sloping edges of spires, finials, pinnacles, and wimpergs.

Crocket

A crocket is a hook-shaped decorative element common in Gothic architecture. It is in the form of a…

Gothic architecture is a style of architecture which flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Its characteristic features include the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress.

Gothic Style Window

Gothic architecture is a style of architecture which flourished during the high and late medieval period.…

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey. Founded by Edward the Confessor when released from his vow to make a pilgrimage to the grave of St. Peter at Rome. It is a large, mainly Gothic church, in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and later British monarchs. It briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1546–1556, and is currently a Royal Peculiar.

Westminster Abbey

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original…

"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…

"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…

Sexpartite vault (or six-part vault), in architecture, is a rib vault divided into six bays by two diagonal ribs and three transverse ribs. Legend: a, transverse ribs (doubleaux); b, wall-ribs (formerets); c, groin-ribs (diagonaux). All the ribs are semi-circle.

Sexpartite Ribbed Vault, Showing Two Compartments with the Fillings Complete

Sexpartite vault (or six-part vault), in architecture, is a rib vault divided into six bays by two diagonal…

A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault or the unit of an opening and its framing on a façade.

Bay of Speyer Cathedral

A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault…

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture. The transept separates the nave from the sanctuary, whether apse, choir, chevet, presbytery or chancel. The transepts cross the nave at the crossing, which belongs equally to the main nave axis and to the transept.

One Bay of Transept, Winchester Cathedral

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque…

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.