Art: Gothic Art
The Gothic period spanned from the middle of the 12th century to the early 16th century. The European art and architecture that was created during this period is referred to as Gothic Art. While Gothic art began in France, it spread to Italy and other countries including Burgundy, Flanders, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Scandinavia, and the Middle East. While Gothic art waned during the renaissance period, the Gothic tradition was revived after the Renaissance in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, not surprisingly, artists during the renaissance period did not think very highly of the Gothic period.
The Gothic period began in the 12th century with increased Christian spirituality, a population explosion, and economic and agricultural growth. However, the 14th century of the Gothic period was characterized by hunger, a depressed economy, and epidemics, including the black plaque. Towards the end of the Gothic period, new ideas emerged including capitalism, scientific discovery, and disagreements with the traditional values of the clutch. New values of critical thought and individual accomplishments ushered in the first of Renaissance art and architecture.
At the beginning of the Gothic Period, the medieval artists were not even considered important enough to put sign their names to their works. However, as the period continued, artists began to sign their names to their works as Jan Van Eyck did when he was called to create a painting of the marriage of Giovanni Anolfini. While some artists of the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries had workshops, most made their living by traveling from town to town. Artists agreed with clients on a fee for their work. As cities began to emerge, artists stayed in urban centers where they could obtain contracts for work. While works of art were often religious in nature and were contracted for by the upper class and royalty, the middle class had the main influence on the development of Gothic art because they demanded realism in art.
