An interpretation of architecture from the 12th to the 15th century, leading from the Ile-de-France to the "classic" era of gothic architecture, and then to its various interpretations in England, Germany, Spain and Italy.
[Gothic Architecture] Precisely as if he were presenting a challenge, Louis Grodecki applies extraordinary precision to the theme of gothic architecture, whose evolution eludes historical and geographical categories and rigid technical and formal definitions. Through an extraordinary range of images, the work begins with analysis of the constructive and iconographic characteristics, based on thorough documentation of the historical conditions that form the basis of the reality of gothic architecture. The material is directly addressed in a trajectory that leads from the Ile-de-France (halfway through the 12th century) to the “classic” era, examining great masterpieces like Saint-Denis, Chartres and Reims. The author then discusses works in England, Germany and imperial Europe in general, as well as Spain and Italy, where the basilica of St. Francis in Assisi was of great importance for the evolution of gothic architecture.