Within gothic art and architecture, there exist many deviations from the standard style. Both Saint-Maclou in Rouen, France and a cloth guild in Bruges, Belgium serve as prime examples of gothic architecture that are a far cry from Chartres and Notre-Dame.
Saint-Maclou is an example of what is referred to as the flamboyant gothic style that was prominent in the 14th century. The church differs from stereotypical gothic style in its size and structure. Saint-Maclou stands at 75 feet high and is 180 feet long, much smaller than comparable gothic cathedrals, and its façade is uniquely ornate. The façade boasts five portals with intricately topped doorways and is dominated by the characteristic flamboyant tracery that form screen-like curving patterns that overlay the rest of the structure. This church and its unique and complex model epitomize flamboyant gothic style and accentuate the way in which not all gothic structures were created equal.
Similar to Saint-Maclou in its deviation from gothic norms, the hall of the cloth guild represents a new type of gothic architecture that appeared in the late Middle Ages—namely, one that is secular and reflects the development of urban life in Europe. Constructed as a market and guild hall for Bruges’ cloth makers, the structure serves as a testament to the increasing formation of craft guilds and is an indicator of the importance of artisans and merchants at the time. The architectural components of the structure do not necessarily scream “gothic.” The building does include, however, crenellations, lancet windows, flying buttresses, and pinnacles.
Overall, these two structures represent the variations and diversity found in gothic architecture and illustrate how the style evolved over time.
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