heavenly vaults: from romanesque to gothic in european architecture

choir st. bridget’s church gdansk, poland, ca.1500

author: david stephenson publisher: princeton architectural press year: 2009 language: english features: 192 pages, 28 x 29 cm ISBN: 978-1-56898-840-5

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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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