gotische

Gotische is the Dutch term for Gothic, the medieval European architectural and artistic style that originated in the Île-de-France in the 12th century and lasted into the 16th century. The name reflects a Renaissance judgment on earlier medieval art and is used in Dutch and other Germanic languages to describe the same tradition as Gothic in English.

Key features of gotische architecture include pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, which together allowed taller buildings, thinner walls, and larger expanses of glass. The emphasis on verticality and light is complemented by extensive stained glass, intricate sculpture, and sculpted portals that conveyed biblical narratives and religious ideals. Building types often centered on cathedrals, churches, and monasteries, with civic and collegiate structures adopting similar stylistic elements.

The Gothic period is commonly divided into phases. Early Gothic (mid-12th to late 12th century) established the stylistic vocabulary at sites such as Saint-Denis and Chartres. High Gothic (late 12th to 13th centuries) pushed height and window size further, with notable examples like Notre-Dame de Paris and Amiens Cathedral. Late Gothic (14th to 15th centuries) diversified into regional variants such as the French Flamboyant and the broader International Gothic that spread across Europe.

Regional variation exists within gotische architecture. England developed Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular Gothic; in the Holy Roman Empire and northern Europe, stone and brick Gothic complexes varied by locale; in Italy Gothic tended to coexist with classical influences and local traditions. The style waned with the rise of the Renaissance, though it left a lasting imprint on church interiors, civic buildings, and visual culture.