The Gothic style – an introduction
Discover the key characteristics of this 'barbaric' design style
Gothic
The Gothic style first appeared in the early 12th century in northern France and rapidly spread beyond its origins in architecture to sculpture, textiles and painting, including frescoes, stained glass and illuminated manuscripts. Characterised by sophistication and power, these new Gothic forms were embraced by monarchies, the church and a growing bourgeois class throughout Europe, with versions of the style still in use as late as the 1550s.
Collection highlights
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Architectural pendant, about 1280 – 95, York, England, limestone -
The Coronation of the Virgin, triptych, 1360 – 70, Venice, Italy, elephant ivory -
The Wingfield-Digby Crozier, crozier head, late 14th century, Norway, carved walrus ivory -
Bartmann jug, about 1540, Cologne, Germany, salt-glazed stoneware -
Illuminated manuscript, the 'St Denis Missal', 1350 and 1473 – 80, Paris, France, pigments and gold on parchment -
The Crucified Christ, statuette, by Giovanni Pisano, 1290 – 1310, Tuscany, Italy, ivory -
The Virgin and Child, statuette, about 1310 – 20, Paris, France, ivory -
Woven silk, 1475 – 1500, Florence, Italy -
The Swinburne Pyx, about 1310 – 25, England, silver -
Saint Christopher, relief panel, about 1450, England, alabaster -
Chasuble, 1400 – 30, Italy, silk lampas -
Plaque, 13th century, Meuse, France, copper -
The Dacre Beasts, figures, 1507 – 25, Cumbria, England, carved, painted and gilded oak -
The Howard Grace Cup, 1525 – 26, London, England, silver and elephant ivory -
Stained glass window depicting a scene from the story of Daniel, about 1243 – 48, Ile-de-France
Features
The Devonshire Hunting Tapestries
Four large and beautifully designed tapestries depicting the 15th century hunt of boars, bears, swans, otters, deer and falconry
The Syon Cope
Explore the beautiful imagery of the Syon Cope, embroidered in coloured silk and silver threads
Medieval mythologies
Peering out from the stitched designs of English medieval embroideries are lifelike animals, alongside fantastical creatures drawn from mythology and the imagination.
Stained glass: the Gothic Revival and beyond
How the Victorians revived the art of stained glass – laying the foundations for a modern take on decorated windows
Header image: Model of The West Front of Notre Dame Cathedral, Reims, possibly made by E.C. Hakewill, 1840, England. Museum no. MISC.3-1928. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London