who designed the abbey of saint-denis's renovation and thus began the gothic style?course hero

by Dr. Antwon Hoppe 4 min read

Basilica of Saint-Denis, France, designed by Abbot Suger
Abbot Suger
Contribution to art

Abbot Suger, friend and confidant of the French Kings Louis VI and Louis VII, decided in about 1137 to rebuild the great Church of Saint-Denis, the burial church of the French monarchs. Suger began with the West front, reconstructing the original Carolingian façade with its single door.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Suger
, completed 1144.

What is the first Gothic structure?

Nov 09, 2016 · Who designed the Abbey of Saint-Denis's renovation and thus began the Gothic style? Abbot Suger A large number of French cathedrals were called Notre Dame ("Our Lady"), because they were dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who was regarded as the "Queen of Heaven." What survived Chartres Cathedral's devastating fire of 1194? Mary's tunic and a window …

Why is the Basilica of Saint Denis considered a Gothic building?

The origin of Gothic architecture, a style which defined Europe in the later Middle Ages, can be traced to a single abbey church in the northern suburbs of Paris. The Basilique royale de Saint ...

Who was the architect of the rebuilding of Saint Denis?

Mar 21, 2013 · Question 23 Who designed the Abbey of Saint-Denis's renovation and thus began the Gothic style? 2 out of 2 points Selected Answer: Abbot Suger Correct Answer: Abbot Suger

Why is the abbey of Saint Denis important?

Who designed the Abbey of Saint-Denis's renovation and thus began the Gothic style? Abbot Suger. A large number of French cathedrals were called Notre Dame ("Our Lady"), because they were dedicated to. the Virgin Mary, who was regarded as the "Queen of Heaven."

Who created the Gothic architectural style?

Gothic architect Hugues Libergier first began developing the style in the Abbey church of Saint Nicaise in Reims, France around 1231. Little is known about the architect, except his name and that after his death in 1263 he was buried in the church where his tombstone honored him as a master of architecture.Aug 9, 2018

Who was responsible for the Gothic transformation at the Cathedral of St Denis?

Abbot SugerThe Abbey Church of Saint Denis is known as the first Gothic structure and was developed in the 12th century by Abbot Suger.

Who is the father of Gothic architecture?

Abbot SugerAbbot Suger is considered by many to be the father of Gothic Architecture. In this lesson, learn about Suger's life, what Gothic Architecture is, and how it revolutionized Europe's built landscape.

Who was important to the rebuilding of the abbey church of Saint-Denis where some of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture can be found?

SugerIn 1122, a new Abbot was appointed to Saint-Denis, Suger. He prioritized the crumbling church building, the basilica, to renovate and in 1137 went to work to restore and glorify God and the king.Feb 2, 2021

Who built abbey of St Denis?

Abbot SugerBasilica of Saint-Denis, France, designed by Abbot Suger, completed 1144.

Why was Denis rebuilt?

In about 1135 he began reconstructing and enlarging the abbey. In his famous account of the work undertaken during his administration, Suger explained his decision to rebuild the church, due to the decrepit state of the old structure and its inability to cope with the crowds of pilgrims visiting the shrine of St Denis.

Who built the first Gothic cathedral?

the Abbot SugerThe Gothic style first appeared in France at the Abbey of Saint Denis, near Paris, with the rebuilding of the ambulatory and west facade of the abbey church by the Abbot Suger (1135–40). The first Gothic cathedral in France, Sens Cathedral, was begun between 1135 and 1140 and consecrated in 1164.

When was the first Gothic cathedral built?

Basilica of Saint Denis, France Noted as the first Gothic cathedral (it was completed in 1144), this church holds the graves for all but three of the French monarchs.Dec 22, 2016

How did Gothic architecture begin?

Gothic architecture began in the earlier 12th century in northwest France and England and spread throughout Latin Europe in the 13th century; by 1300, a first "international style" of Gothic had developed, with common design features and formal language.

What was Suger's purpose in reconstructing the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis?

What was Suger's purpose in reconstructing the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis? He wanted to create a work of art worthy of the church's holy treasures.

Who built Laon cathedral?

Gautier de MortagneBy the late 1150s, construction on the current cathedral had begun under Gautier de Mortagne; it was essentially completed by 1230.

Who played a major role in the building of St Denis?

Abbot Suger (1081-1151, Abbot, 1122+) reformed St-Denis, lead the St-Denis building campaigns of 1135 and 1140, and added to our understanding of that architecture through his writings. He is known to us primarily through those writings and that of his biographer, brother William.

What is Gothic architecture?

Gothic architecture utilizes tall pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses to create towering structures of openness and light. For many historians, this was the first truly monumental and unified style of European architecture since the fall of Rome, and it all began at the Basilica of Saint Denis.

Who was the abbot of Saint Denis?

It needed to be renovated, and the person to volunteer for that job was Abbot Suger, a French holy man and advisor to the king.

Who was St. Denis?

The story of Saint Denis begins with, well, Saint Denis. St. Denis was a third-century martyr of the early Christian church who is said to have been the first bishop of Paris. He was beheaded sometime around 250 CE, an event that apparently wasn't enough to actually silence him. According to Catholic tradition, St. Denis picked up his head and walked for miles, all while giving a sermon. The spot where he decided to be buried became an important pilgrimage site (after all, if St. Denis could make the journey headless, what excuse did anyone else have?).

What to see in France?

Many people who go to France want to see religious relics, the graves of famous kings and queens, and the birthplace of architectural styles. If you are one of these people, then there's good news: you can check off every one of these items with a single stop at the Basilica of Saint Denis. Known as the Basilique Saint-Denis in French, this ...

Where did the Gothic style originate?

West Façade. Image © Wikimedia user Thomas Clouet (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0) The origin of Gothic architecture, a style which defined Europe in the later Middle Ages, can be traced to a single abbey church in the northern suburbs of Paris. The Basilique royale de Saint-Denis (Royal Basilica of Saint-Denis), constructed on the site ...

What is the first example of Gothic architecture?

Today, the Basilica of Saint-Denis is recognized as the very first example of Gothic art and architecture. Returned to the Catholic Church, it was officially granted the status of ‘cathedral’ in 1966.

Who was the first bishop of Paris?

The story of the basilica begins with the first bishop of Paris, St. Denis, the namesake of the church. Legend has it that after his martyrdom in 250 on Montmartre (the Mount of Mars transformed into the Mount of Martyrs), he picked up his decapitated head and walked the six miles to the site of the future church. St.

When was the North Tower destroyed?

Unfortunately, nature continued to take its toll and a lightning strike in 1837, followed by another storm in 1845, led to the dismantling of the north tower, though its stones have been stored awaiting reconstruction.

Who was Pepin's father?

Pepin’s funerary monument and that of his father, Charles Martel, who defeated the Moors and chased them out of France after his victory at Poitiers/Tours, can be seen in the church. The Abbot Suger (regent of France and royal historian) is the star of St. Denis, even with all of the famous rulers interred within.

History of The Basilica

The Rebuilding of Saint Denis

  • The Abbey of Saint Denis was an important structure, but by the twelfth century it simply could not keep up with the growing number of pilgrims who visited it. It needed to be renovated, and the person to volunteer for that job was Abbot Suger, a French holy man and advisor to the king. Suger became the abbot of Saint Denis around 1122 and began pr...
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Significance of Suger's Renovation

  • The remodeled western façade was pretty consistent with the dominant Romanesquestyle of medieval Europe because Suger had no need to change it. The choir and interior, however, had to be updated to accommodate larger crowds of pilgrims. Abbot Suger needed to create more interior space, and the best way to do that was to decrease the number of interior supports and r…
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