Flamboyant style in late Gothic architecture and its differences from earlier works

Gothic

The Flamboyant Gothic is generally considered to be the final phase of the Gothic architecture, manifesting itself on the European continent during the 15th century. As one of its main characteristics, the Flamboyant style shows an explosion of the artistic creativity and an increased focus on the decorations of the buildings. If previously, many of these decorations had a practical use foremost (the gargoyles, for example, had primarily the function of carrying the water away from the roof, while the arches were basic support functions), decoration exists in the Flamboyant style simply for the sake of decoration.

At the same time, the cathedrals were no longer the usual austere buildings they had been in the first Gothic periods. A greater attention to artistic detail, the preponderance of stained glass and decorations made these buildings more artistic than before. In fact, one of the first characteristics of Flamboyant Gothic is that "wall space was reduced to the minimum of supporting vertical shafts to allow an almost continuous expanse of glass and tracery."

This follows on what has been mentioned in the pervious paragraph. If before all elements in a Gothic construction were there for a practical purpose, with the Flamboyant Gothic, this practical aspect is kept to a minimum and more space is awarded to pinnacles, gables or stained glass.

Flamboyant Gothic can be analyzed in greater detail at particular construction elements. For example, the arch, a defining element of the Gothic style, is used now in a double-curved shape, after it was predominantly either concave or convex during the previous Gothic periods. The walls are no longer the same solid, stone constructions that are unitary up to the top. Now, occasional patterns are sculpted in them, without challenging their supportive ability, but improving their aesthetic and artistic perspective for the viewer.

At the same time, Flamboyant Gothic brings about a fluidization of the once rigid Gothic lines and shapes. This type of fluidization announces the Renaissance and is probably an expression of the new opening that the society goes through as it comes out of the Middle Ages. A greater creative expression in literature or painting, for example, had to be matched by a similar trend in architecture.

Another interesting comparison with the previous Gothic styles is the fact that, in the past, the Gothic style was used almost exclusively for religious constructions, notably churches. With the Flamboyant Gothic, numerous secular buildings, either town halls, castles or individual houses are built in this style, more appropriate for the expression of an individual home.