Medieval perception of space and place in the architecture of Gothic churches

Abstract

Our appreciation of medieval church and cathedral architecture is reliably enhanced when we find contemporary indications of perception and cognition involved in the making of such works. Modern assumptions about these operations in medieval architecture need to be checked against any textual or other sources which indicate the mentality of the time, albeit there is little that has explicit reference to architecture. This article touches briefly on texts of theology, metaphysics, and science that show a perception of space mid place, and suggests the significance of this in the architecture. Conceptualization according with the intention for the building must have had a matrix of thought. Particular awareness of the material medium, and of the physical body of a church, would inevitably inform the process. Composition exercising great power of judgement must have had a certain kind of rationale. Such formation of place is illustrated in Gothic art and architecture.

Notre appreciation de 'architecture de l'eglise et de la cathedrale medievales est mis en valeur de facon sure lorsque nous decouvrons que des signes de perception et de cognition contemporaines se mettaient a l'osuvre lors de leur construction. Cependant, il faut que des suppositions modernes soient verifiees en se referant aux textes et aux autres sources qui indiquent la mentalite de l'epoque, bien qu'il y en ait peu qui parle formellement de l'architecture. Cet article touche brievement sur des textes de theologie, de metaphysique et du science, qui demontrent une perception de Vespace et du lieu, et en suggerent la signification dans l'architecture. L'accord du concept avec l'intention du batiment aurait eu une matrice de pensee, une conscience particuliere du milieu materiel et du corps physique de l'eglise informeraient inevitablement le processus. La composition, exercant d'un grand jugement, aurait eu un raisonnement distincte. Une telle mise en place de lieu s'est demontre dans l'art et l'architecture gothique.