heavenly vaults: from romanesque to gothic in european architecture

standing in a gothic church and looking up at the soaring vaulted ceiling, it is impossible
not to marvel at their transcendent structures, with seemingly unending design variations...

content
the gothic cathedrals of the middle ages in europe, reproduced one dome per page,
reveal the complex geometrical structures of each. from fresco-covered white plaster,
to barrel vaults, there is a seemingly unending series of transcendental design variations.

photographer david stephenson showcases more than 80 vaulted ceiling and explains their
technological developments. charting the history of this ancient structural form, the documentation
covers numerous varieties from different time periods and locations.

is it for me?
a great historical overview of the historical evolution of artistic applications to the vault
over time and the powerful resonance this architectural feature has. the book will also
give you a deeper appreciation for the mathematical and structural proportions of the vault.



nave
basilica di san miliato al monte
florence, italy, 1013-62



nave
chartres cathedral
chartres, france, 1194-1260, vaults complete by 1217



nave
church of the jacobins
toulouse, france, 1323-35



lady
ely cathedral
ely, england, 1321-49



nave
frauenkirche
munich, germany, 1468-94



nave
st. mary's church
pirna, germany, 1502-46



choir
king's college chapel
cambridge england, begun 1448, vault 1508-15



pantheon
rome, italy, 117-38




front cover
all images in the book are © david stephenson represented by julie saul gallery, new york

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